What Elias' "Win Now Plan" means for players at AAA.

[wildcard]

My takeaway from Elias' Tuesday's  press conference is  he does not seem focused on promoting AAA players.   He is focused on putting the team most likely to win on the field in the majors.

Elias is pretty happy at the moment with this  regular position players: Mountcastle, Frazier, Matos, Henderson, Hays, Mullins, Santander and Adley.   He talks about the starters that are healthy and he expects them to improve:  Wells, Gibson, GRod, Bradish and Kremer.   He is looking forward to Means joining the team in the 2nd  half.  He likes his pen and is looking forward to seeing Givens and Tate return from injuries.   He likes Urias who is currently injured.

He says the other players on the 40 man roster and in AAA can be called up as needed.   

Maybe this is as it should be with a 23-13 team.  But the process on getting prospects to play well for 200 plate appearances  at AAA and be promoted to the majors seems to have slowed.    Mainly because there is not  much playing time to had on the major league team.    Not  as long as the O's are winning.

Injuries to players on the O's major league 26 man roster will create some opportunities.   Non performance  could do the same.   But moves just to get AAA players to the majors because they are ready may have to wait.  No use to call up the highly touted prospects and have him sit on the bench.

If the O's are in a pennant race and Frazier, Santander, Gibson, Givens are part of what is allowing the O's to win they might not get moved during the season.   Next year they may be replaced with prospects but not now and not while the O's are winning.  This is a different thought process for me and I am trying to adjust to it.  Contract status may take a back seat to winning.    Maybe.

I don't hear Elias expressing any current need other than letting the players play.    He is not saying when we have a need for more pitching  minor leaguers could be traded to upgrade the pitching.   He is saying we have 5 starters at AAA and Means that we can called up whenever needed.

That is what I am hearing in this Elias interview.   What is your take?

 

Edited May 12, 2023 by wildcard

[deward]

I understand not wanting to mess with something that's working so far, but I would hope that Elias is being realistic with himself about what problems are being masked by the record. Giving Frazier's and McCann's at bats to Westburg seems like an obvious low-risk, high-upside move. If an injury to Urias isn't going to create an opportunity for either Westburg or Ortiz, then what is? Searching for options to reinforce the rotation should also be a high priority. 

[Bemorewins]

He an alternative, plausible perspective. It’s not in Elias best interest to reveal all of his true intentions/plans to the public.

Why would he?

[HandsomeQuack]

Apart from Beeks (opener) tonight, The O's shouldn't see a lefty starter until Tyler Anderson a week from today. Perhaps they call up Ortiz or Westburg around then.

I understand the value of consistent reps for prospects, but Westburg seems to have entered "nothing left to prove at Triple-A" territory. He's 24 and has a .286/.366/.529 slash in 538 Norfolk PAs. It's time for him to get his shot, even if it's every other day.

Edited May 10, 2023 by HandsomeQuack
.366 OBP not .336

[wildcard]

6 minutes ago, HandsomeQuack said:

Apart from Beeks (opener) tonight, The O's shouldn't see a lefty starter until Tyler Anderson a week from today. Perhaps they call up Ortiz or Westburg around then.

I understand the value of consistent reps for prospects, but Westburg seems to have entered "nothing left to prove at Triple-A" territory. He's 24 and has a .286/.366/.529 slash in 538 Norfolk PAs. It's time for him to get his shot, even if it's every other day.

So if they call up Ortiz or Westburg where are they going to play?   Platoon with Frazier at 2B?  DH when Adley, Santander, or Mountcastle are not DHing.   What does that do to Stowers?   If they call them up they have to have a place to play.

[Can_of_corn]

3 minutes ago, wildcard said:

So if they call up Ortiz or Westburg where are they going to play?   Platoon with Frazier at 2B?  DH when Adley, Santander, or Mountcastle are not DHing.   What does that do to Stowers?   If they call them up they have to have a place to play.

Have them suit up as the third catcher.

[deward]

3 minutes ago, wildcard said:

So if they call up Ortiz or Westburg where are they going to play?   Platoon with Frazier at 2B?  DH when Adley, Santander, or Mountcastle are not DHing.   What does that do to Stowers?   If they call them up they have to have a place to play.

Frazier really shouldn't be standing in anyone's way.  (I know, I know, every thread becomes a Frazier thread)

[Aristotelian]

I don't have time to watch the interview but I have learned to pretty much ignore anything that he says. Not that he is a liar but he generally doesn't say anything binding that is going to telegraph his plans. I would not be surprised to see Westburg tomorrow. I also wouldn't be surprised to see him added in December when forced by Rule 5. At this point, as long as the team is playing well, I will sit back and watch it play out. 

[Bemorewins]

You guys do know that 'tradecraft' is a real thing in professional sports? They don't consider misleading the public/fans/other orgs lying. For most it's par for the course in the biz.

I wouldn't put too much stock if any at all into practically ANY pro sports front office person's public comments. Most frequently they are done for effect.

[HandsomeQuack]

19 minutes ago, wildcard said:

So if they call up Ortiz or Westburg where are they going to play?   Platoon with Frazier at 2B?  DH when Adley, Santander, or Mountcastle are not DHing.   What does that do to Stowers?   If they call them up they have to have a place to play.

Split 2B reps with Frazier vs RHP, get bulk of 2B starts vs LHP. Can also spell Henderson vs LHP at 3B. Frazier stays in the mix as utility option (COF, DH) on days Westburg is starting.

I am not holding my breath that any of this will happen, of course. But with Urias in the shop it would be nice to see them address the dearth of RH bats on the roster.

Edited May 10, 2023 by HandsomeQuack

[Frobby]

I pretty much agree with @wildcard’s take in the OP.  Elias seems very satisfied with where things are and confident in his plan.  He’s clearly more focused on winning major league games than on creating the best development path for the AAA guys.  

[Bahama O's Fan]

So...the question is...does Elias and company believe the players currently on the major league roster give him a better chance to win than the ones in AAA?

[wildcard]

45 minutes ago, Bahama O's Fan said:

So...the question is...does Elias and company believe the players currently on the major league roster give him a better chance to win than the ones in AAA?

Can't answer for Elias.   You will have to call him for that answer.

But as I look at the team position by position the only place that is a question is 2B.   But if the AAA players have to go through a learning cycle like Gunnar is going through they might not be better for a while.

[seak05]

Honestly Frazier has been playing pretty well, and had some of the teams best at bats in the Atlanta series. I’m not really convinced ortiz or westburg would provide that much of an immediate boost.

I think the most obvious weakness the orioles have right now are the abs going to stowers, maybe Mountcastle 

[sportsfan8703]

If Santander is our DH then we have a massive hole in RF. Same if Santander is our RF. 
 

Vavra, Stowers, and O’Hearn, have squandered lots of ABs. Our DH is batting 9th.