So...who plays 1st base in 2016?

[oriole]

How is that lazy to compare him to Dunn and Howard? They are all left handed pull hitters who strike out a ton, walk a lot, and have big power numbers. Obviously Davis = Dunn = Howard is not accurate but their general approach is similar. Davis could be productive for another 2 to 3 years but unfortunately a 6 year or longer contract at 20 million or so a year is a reality. I certainly don't want a Howard like contract on the Orioles ever.

Anyways, I think a Paredes experiment will be had, maybe someone like Napoli on a one year deal to assess guys like Walker and Menchini, maybe a trade for a younger 1b or who needs a shot or change of scenery like Kennys Vargas or Jon Singleton. I don't think it will be Davis though.

[LookitsPuck]

It should be Davis. But it most likely won't be. Which is a shame. The FA class of 1Bman is awful as is our farm system when it comes to replacing him. So, we're stuck w/ a Pearce type.

[Three Run Homer]

I don't think Walker has hit enough at Norfolk to justify more than a cup of coffee next season. Mancini might be better than Walker, but if the organization was seriously considering him for the job, they probably would have pushed him up to Norfolk or even given him a shot in Baltimore by now.

I think it will be Pearce or Napoli.

[DrungoHazewood]

I'll be pleasantly shocked if the Orioles sign Davis.

My money is on Christian Walker. He is 24 years old right now and his MiL numbers show he doesn't have much to improve upon at that level. He is the cheap and easy option. I suspect he will provide 70-80% of Chris Davis' production at 1/20th the cost. And play better 1B defense.

Pearce will likely get a crack at it as well.

Walker's career AAA line is about .260/.325/.420. An average MLB first baseman hits .258/.333/.427. Walker would be slightly worse than an average 1B if he showed zero decline upon transitioning from AAA to the majors. More likely he'll lose 50 or 75 points of OPS, putting him on par with Joe Mauer, Mike Napoli and Mark Reynolds, all of whom are hovering around replacement level. Walker would be a disappointing replacement for Davis.

[ChuckS]

Walker's career AAA line is about .260/.325/.420. An average MLB first baseman hits .258/.333/.427. Walker would be slightly worse than an average 1B if he showed zero decline upon transitioning from AAA to the majors. More likely he'll lose 50 or 75 points of OPS, putting him on par with Joe Mauer, Mike Napoli and Mark Reynolds, all of whom are hovering around replacement level. Walker would be a disappointing replacement for Davis.

All true. I think it's possible that Walker needs a full year to adjust to playing in a higher league. He was mediocre in Double A in 2013 and lit the league on fire in 2014. He's starting to hit for more power now and I think you will see him made additional improvements next year and he could be ready to help the club at some point.

[BohKnowsBmore]

I don't see why we can't sign Davis!? Take MW and Chen salaries replace them with Joseph and X who will be MUCH cheaper and Davis has his money.

This is where I am right now. I'm starting to think Davis is the 1/3 that is resigned. Extend macahdo, then we have a core of jones, machado, Davis, schoop and Hardy in the order along with paredes, Joseph and flash to supplement. Money saved from letting Chen and weiters walk might allow us to seriously go after one of the top COF options. We could resign parra, fill out of depth with Alvarez and lough, then clevanger at catcher #2. That's a pretty formidable lineup.

Then pitching we go:

Tillman

Gausman

Ubaldo

Gonzo

Bundy/wright/Wilson

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[SpinJr]

This is where I am right now. I'm starting to think Davis is the 1/3 that is resigned. Extend macahdo, then we have a core of jones, machado, Davis, schoop and Hardy in the order along with paredes, Joseph and flash to supplement. Money saved from letting Chen and weiters walk might allow us to seriously go after one of the top COF options. We could resign parra, fill out of depth with Alvarez and lough, then clevanger at catcher #2. That's a pretty formidable lineup.

Then pitching we go:

Tillman

Gausman

Ubaldo

Gonzo

Bundy/wright/Wilson

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Couldn't agree more.

[Camden_yardbird]

Both Walker and Alvarez will get opportunities to show what they can do over about 100 ABs by the end of the year. That will go a long way toward determining what is done this winter.

[clapdiddy]

Both Walker and Alvarez will get opportunities to show what they can do over about 100 ABs by the end of the year. That will go a long way toward determining what is done this winter.

If those 2 each get 100 AB's this season, we will have been eliminated from the wildcard race by Sept. 1. I doubt they will get that many.

[coe76]

Another name to throw into the mix is Brandon Snyder. Could be a one year fill in while Mancini develops. I am not sure I would count on him to outperform but so far in his return to the O's organization he has hit well at Bowie and he does have MLB experience. Downside is his age vs Walker and Mancini.

[mdbdotcom]

Both Walker and Alvarez will get opportunities to show what they can do over about 100 ABs by the end of the year. That will go a long way toward determining what is done this winter.

You expect them to play almost every day while we're in the playoff hunt?

[25 Nuggets]

This is where I am right now. I'm starting to think Davis is the 1/3 that is resigned. Extend macahdo, then we have a core of jones, machado, Davis, schoop and Hardy in the order along with paredes, Joseph and flash to supplement. Money saved from letting Chen and weiters walk might allow us to seriously go after one of the top COF options. We could resign parra, fill out of depth with Alvarez and lough, then clevanger at catcher #2. That's a pretty formidable lineup.

Then pitching we go:

Tillman

Gausman

Ubaldo

Gonzo

Bundy/wright/Wilson

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That would be nice, though I'd want the team to invest in one more pitcher. The lineup wouldn't have to change much from what it is now:

1) R Machado (3B)

2) L Parra (LF)

3) R Jones (CF)

4) L Davis (1B/RF)

5) R Schoop (2B)

6) S Paredes (DH)

7) R Hardy (SS)

8) R Joseph ©

9) R Alvarez (RF) or Mancini (1B)

The top six in that lineup could be formidable. Depends on Parra and Paredes making things happen from the left side.

[Camden_yardbird]

You expect them to play almost every day while we're in the playoff hunt?

Who says we will be in the playoff hunt?

[El Gordo]

How is that lazy to compare him to Dunn and Howard? They are all left handed pull hitters who strike out a ton, walk a lot, and have big power numbers. Obviously Davis = Dunn = Howard is not accurate but their general approach is similar. Davis could be productive for another 2 to 3 years but unfortunately a 6 year or longer contract at 20 million or so a year is a reality. I certainly don't want a Howard like contract on the Orioles ever.

Anyways, I think a Paredes experiment will be had, maybe someone like Napoli on a one year deal to assess guys like Walker and Menchini, maybe a trade for a younger 1b or who needs a shot or change of scenery like Kennys Vargas or Jon Singleton. I don't think it will be Davis though.

The difference is Davis is a much better conditioned athlete than Dunn and Howard. I don't see him out of baseball at 34.

[oriole]

The difference is Davis is a much better conditioned athlete than Dunn and Howard. I don't see him out of baseball at 34.

Yes, he is a better athlete but when did being strictly a good athlete equate to hitting skills? Lough is a damn good athlete but he is a below average hitter.

I think his skill set screams significant regression.