Oh, What Could Have Been....

[25 Nuggets]

14 hours ago, Hank Scorpio said:

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-hot-stove-rumors-orioles-reportedly-listening-to-manny-machado-trade-calls/

What a novel concept!!! Imagine if they had done this last offseason?

You know, the one preceding the last place finish this past year?

 

Screaming in the wind, Hank.

[pastorfan]

15 hours ago, Lucky_13 said:

If this is true. Could make the winter meetings very interesting. The Cardinals and the Indians make the most sense to me. 

Cardinals: 

3B Manny Machado for RHP Jack Flaherty (#3 prospect) , and LHP Austin Gomber(#15 prospect).  Two mlb ready starters. Flaherty is the number 47 prospect in baseball and has TOR upside.  Gomber is more of a #3 starter.  

Jedd Gyorko was rumored to be on the block if the Cardinals make changes to their infield, so if the Orioles want an immediate Machado replacement they could consider asking for him. 

Indians:

3B Manny Machado for SP Triston Mackenzie, OF Greg Allen, and SP Julian Merryweather.  This trade is really all about getting Mackenzie who is the 20 prospect in baseball and has TOR talent. Only in A+ this past year. Allen is a guy who's floor is a 4th outfielder but he has the potential to be a really good lead off hitter. Great defensively. Merryweather is about MLB ready and projects as a back end starter or reliever. 

 

 

 

Indians have one year window left and should do what it takes to get him. 

[foxfield]

I still hope that the O's make a solid offer for Manny, but I think he plans to leave.

I also believe and said in the other post that I think that the O's may well get a haul of at least 3 major prospects.  Manny is an elite player.  

[Hank Scorpio]

9 hours ago, Frobby said:

I won’t blame the O’s for not trading Machado last winter.   How often does a team that made the playoffs start trading its best players?    Basically, never.    And I don’t think it was obvious at all that (1) the Yankees would inprove so much, or (2) our pitching would be so terrible.    In fact, I could argue (before the season was played) that 2017 was a time to go for it because the Yankees had a huge wave of talent coming over the next 2-3 years but wouldn’t quite be ready in 2017.     If you had Judge pegged for 52 homers and a 1.042 OPS, let me know.   

I didn't quite go THAT far... I mean, I'm not that good. 

But you get the point. It was clear to me we were at best the 3rd most talented team in the division. Unfortunately, I was right.

My expectations of the starting pitching were (and remain) low. Even unable to be overcome by a greatest of all time bullpen.