Austin Hays

[Tx Oriole]

2 hours ago, eddie83 said:

Rickard starting instead of Hays.  

Does Buck want Dan to quit? 

If you are giving a regular a day off how can it be Joey over Hays? 

I'm sure it is a good experience for Austin to be around a big league team and not have to worry about that next year. That said why exactly was he called up? 

That's a very good question. 

[Tx Oriole]

1 hour ago, Pat Kelly said:

FWIW I agree with virtually every other decision Buck has made.    Getting the most out a bad rotation, managing around Bundy innings,  Tillman's issues, pairing with catchers or not,  coping with injuries and an overtaxed BP.    He is willing to pull pitchers earlier with a deeper staff and the last few losses are more about offense than pitching.   He has adjusted the lineup moving Jones and Machado around,  Beckham, Schoop and Mancini up,  Trumbo and Davis down,  rotated the catchers well playing the hot hand.  Davis still brings value at 1B even when he is barely hitting.  Playing Smith only against RHP using Gentry and Rickard as late inning defensive replacements,  coaxing Mancini into a decent LF who seems to keep improving.  Team has come back and won many "lost" games and has a dominant win% in extra innings.  

But I do not understand what he is up to with Hays,  playing Trumbo last night,  starting Rickard over Hays,  not rotating Pedro in there against RHP, not giving Trumbo a break etc.  when he is not hitting.   I would even understand if he started JJ to give Beckham a rest - he could always PH late.    He is either worried about or lacks confidence in Hays and that seems to indicate there is some disconnect with the front office decision to call him up. 

Is he getting back at the FO at the expience of Hays by keeping him on the bench? 

[Can_of_corn]

Just now, Tx Oriole said:

Is he getting back at the FO at the expience of Hays by keeping him on the bench? 

But for what?

[eddie83]

Just now, Can_of_corn said:

But for what?

Maybe he didn't want him up here?

I just don't get bringing up merely for the experience. If that was the case then let him play in the playoffs at AA first. Bring up someone else to fill the OF role. 

[Frobby]

Buck made it very clear when Hays was called up that his role was to start vs. LHP.    It so happens that we've faced 7 RHP in a row.   That said, if someone other than Smith is going to play vs. RHP, I really don't understand Rickard over Hays.     That makes no sense to me.

On the other hand, please spare me the DD vs. Buck drama.    I seriously doubt Hays was brought up without Buck wanting him up here.    Of all things a GM would consult on fully with his manager, September call-ups while the team is contending has to be right at the top.

[Pat Kelly]

Rickard has not had a productive at bat in weeks.   How low does the offense need to sink?  Buck's position on Hays is questionable given the results of others.   He has zero to lose in playing him. 

[Legend_Of_Joey]

1 hour ago, Frobby said:

Buck made it very clear when Hays was called up that his role was to start vs. LHP.    It so happens that we've faced 7 RHP in a row.   That said, if someone other than Smith is going to play vs. RHP, I really don't understand Rickard over Hays.     That makes no sense to me.

On the other hand, please spare me the DD vs. Buck drama.    I seriously doubt Hays was brought up without Buck wanting him up here.    Of all things a GM would consult on fully with his manager, September call-ups while the team is contending has to be right at the top.

If he was brought up to start vs. LHP, don't you know what the other teams rotations might be and NOT call him up if you see, or figure, the other teams would be starting righties?

I wish they had let him stay in Bowie for the playoffs, atleast then he could have gotten constant at bats. Might have even helped the Baysox.

I'm also wondering what Santanders role is. Switch hitter who is a Rule 5, so either see what you have or cut bait. Guessing he is getting a plane ticket to Arizona in the Fall though.

[mdbdotcom]

10 hours ago, Can_of_corn said:

But for what?

For being stupid enough to give him everything he asked for?

[eddie83]

9 hours ago, Legend_Of_Joey said:

If he was brought up to start vs. LHP, don't you know what the other teams rotations might be and NOT call him up if you see, or figure, the other teams would be starting righties?

I wish they had let him stay in Bowie for the playoffs, atleast then he could have gotten constant at bats. Might have even helped the Baysox.

I'm also wondering what Santanders role is. Switch hitter who is a Rule 5, so either see what you have or cut bait. Guessing he is getting a plane ticket to Arizona in the Fall though.

Santander'a role is to hang around until mid May next year and then go back down for more seasoning.  

[wildcard]

11 hours ago, Frobby said:

Buck made it very clear when Hays was called up that his role was to start vs. LHP.    It so happens that we've faced 7 RHP in a row.   That said, if someone other than Smith is going to play vs. RHP, I really don't understand Rickard over Hays.     That makes no sense to me.

On the other hand, please spare me the DD vs. Buck drama.    I seriously doubt Hays was brought up without Buck wanting him up here.    Of all things a GM would consult on fully with his manager, September call-ups while the team is contending has to be right at the top.

Rickard was 2 for 3 off Biagini before last night.   Buck was playing the matchups.

[Frobby]

2 minutes ago, wildcard said:

Rickard was 2 for 3 off Biagini before last night.   Buck was playing the matchups.

Ugh.     Three at bats is no basis for a decision.    We've had hundreds of at bats to see that Rickard's a poor hitter.     The guy literally just lunges at the ball.   He reminds me of Brandon Fahey with his plate approach.   

[wildcard]

11 minutes ago, Frobby said:

Ugh.     Three at bats is no basis for a decision.    We've had hundreds of at bats to see that Rickard's a poor hitter.     The guy literally just lunges at the ball.   He reminds me of Brandon Fahey with his plate approach.   

Rickard has been a disappointment with the bat this year.   He was better last year.  At least last year he hit lefties.

[Frobby]

25 minutes ago, wildcard said:

Rickard has been a disappointment with the bat this year.   He was better last year.  At least last year he hit lefties.

Buck has gotten Rickard more PA vs. LHP this year than last year, but he's done materially worse against them.    I watch him play and I just don't see a likelihood that he's going to get materially better.     I have zero desire to see him in the starting lineup when we could be giving opportunities to Hays or Santander.

[clapdiddy]

1 hour ago, Frobby said:

Buck has gotten Rickard more PA vs. LHP this year than last year, but he's done materially worse against them.    I watch him play and I just don't see a likelihood that he's going to get materially better.     I have zero desire to see him in the starting lineup when we could be giving opportunities to Hays or Santander.

I think both of these guys should be playing at least a few times a week right now.   Rickard's participation would be pinch-running and possible late-inning defensive replacement at this point.

[interloper]

16 minutes ago, clapdiddy said:

I think both of these guys should be playing at least a few times a week right now.   Rickard's participation would be pinch-running and possible late-inning defensive replacement at this point.

I think Buck will wait until they are mathematically eliminated, because Buck.