Prepare yourselves for Hosmer

[interloper]

Just a hunch, but I think they're going to pick up Hosmer for the ML minimum and have him act as:

• Official backup 1B
• Occasional Mountcastle platoon
• Occasional LH DH vs RHP

I know how you feel right now, and I agree. This isn't a thread about advocating for this move! This is a thread about girding your loins before this is dropped on us. 

Here is why I think this:

• There's quite literally no one who makes great sense as a ML-quality 1B on the farm. Some small exception given to Franchy Cordero, who does not have a great ML track record, but who right now is probably the guy they would turn to if Mountcastle gets injured for an extended period of time. The options after Cordero are kind of untenable: McCann (barely played 1B last year), Adley (no 1B in the ML), or... who, exactly? Nevin if he clears waivers. Santander has maybe worked on it but only a little. Vavra? Diaz if he clears waivers?
• Hosmer was worth 1.1 bWAR over 104 games in 2022. Mountcastle was worth 1.3 bWAR in 145 games. Like it or not, he provides similar value. 
• While Hosmer had reverse splits last year, he has a .810 OPS against RHP for his career. 
• You only have to pay him the minimum. 
• It's clear Elias is intent on bringing in veterans who are adequate MLers on 1-year deals to plug the various holes on the roster. 
• Brandon Belt is the only other guy who makes sense to me, but he's older and has serious injury questions. 
• It just feeeeeeeels like they will, man. 

Will I be wrong? I hope so. Nobody in Birdland likes this guy, and he'd likely eat into playing time for Stowers and Vavra. I can just see it happening based on this particular off-season. 

I'll hang up and listen to your answer off the air. 

Edited December 22, 2022 by interloper

[interloper]

 

[Pickles]

It wouldn't shock me.  And I wouldn't hate it in the sense that he's still an above average hitter and for the league minimum you can't really go wrong.  The problem would be similar to the Frazier signing: Value-wise it's "fine" but it comes with opportunity cost.  I'd rather just give those ABs to Stowers.

[owknows]

 

Roster's getting kinda crowded.

[Just Regular]

Only if OMAR likes him better than Mike Moustakas over in Cincinnati.     He's probably in that James McCann-adjacent, "we'll pay most of his money save perhaps a few multiples of the MLB minimum" if you feel like using him zone.

As Elias pieces together his first roster meant to compete, only question position players wise is does this guy make our Best 13 better.     Vavra and Bemboom were child's play.

Hosmer (or Brandon Belt) would just say Ryan Mountcastle's style is more distasteful to Elias than I think it is.    I don't think the Club has quit on him yet.

[HakunaSakata]

[David Lowry (lead singer of the 90s band Cracker) voice]   The Oriole's need Eric Hosmer like I need a hole in my head 

[Pickles]

4 minutes ago, HakunaSakata said:

[David Lowry (lead singer of the 90s band Cracker) voice]   The Oriole's need Eric Hosmer like I need a hole in my head 

You actually have five holes in your head.  And you need them all.

[Yardball85]

Or his fellow former Royals teammate, Mike Moustakas.  I could really see this, and it worries me immensely.

 

https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/baseball/mlb/player/19166/mike-moustakas

[Moose Milligan]

@interloper I’m going to light a paper bag of dog poop, leave it on your doorstep, ring the doorbell and run away. 

[Pickles]

Just now, Yardball85 said:

Or his fellow former Royals teammate, Mike Moustakas.  I could really see this, and it worries me immensely.

 

https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/baseball/mlb/player/19166/mike-moustakas

They're not comparable players.

I could "see" Hosmer.  There's no justification for Moustakas.  

[interloper]

Just now, Moose Milligan said:

@interloper I’m going to light a paper bag of dog poop, leave it on your doorstep, ring the doorbell and run away. 

I understand. But the news will hit you less hard now when he inevitably becomes an Oriole. You're welcome. 

Happy Hosmerdays. 

[owknows]

1 minute ago, Moose Milligan said:

@interloper I’m going to light a paper bag of dog poop, leave it on your doorstep, ring the doorbell and run away. 

Wasn't this thread the cyber-equivalent?

[Yardball85]

1 minute ago, Pickles said:

They're not comparable players.

I could "see" Hosmer.  There's no justification for Moustakas.  

Hope you're right.  Hope it's neither of them. But he's a lefty bat who can play first... 

[jamalshw]

I thought Wil Myers made some sense until the Reds signed him. He could do all of that, but from the other side of the plate. Occasional rest for Mountcastle, can play against LHP (which we had issues with some last year). He also provided some flexibility in his ability to play OF. But now that he's signed, I'm not sure any remaining free agents make sense. 

I know you aren't advocating for Hosmer, but I'm not sure I see that happening. I mean, it could, but the Frazier deal makes me think flexibility is important as Elias seems to be protecting himself against the youngsters struggling. Frazier can play 2B, but if Westburg blows the doors off AAA and earns his way up to the majors but Hays or Stowers struggles, Frazier can also go and get more playing time in the OF. Insurance against Mountcastle and someone to push him and give him the occasional breather makes sense, but only if it also comes with someone that can play elsewhere, too. To me, Hosmer doesn't fit for the same reasons Mancini doesn't. 

Ultimately, if we get Hosmer, I would just prefer we bring back Mancini. At least there's something positive from a sentimental perspective there. 

[HakunaSakata]

6 minutes ago, Pickles said:

You actually have five holes in your head.  And you need them all.

Cc: @DavidLowry