I'm not interested in gutting what is left of our farm system for two years of a SP when we should be able to just sign a FA of similar quality, so no thanks on Crochet.
Trading Mountcastle for some prospects to restock the farm a bit is something I am definitely open to though.
The last fews years haven't been "normal" because the Covid impact (which should be normalized now). Then there is NIL impact providing more security for HS to choose college (still a moving target).
There is less leverage for college guys. So (in theory) there portfolio has a higher floor because you draft guys you know you can afford. Versus punting some picks (underslot) while drafting HS guys (overslot).
I do think Elias/Sig lean toward the additional data against higher competition. But they take some shots at higher ceiling guys here/there, as you said, with the ultra prospects (per their board/scouting).
If a 36 year old, soft-tossing, back-of-the-rotation SP like Jose Quintana is out of our price range when we are supposed to be in full go-for-it mode and are in clear need of additional starting pitching, then the Orioles should probably be contracted out of existence because we are not a serious MLB organization.
Kjerstad, Holliday, Mayo and Basallo all have question marks but in time I think they become everyday guys, maybe just for a short while in Kjerstad's case. A good scenario is a set lineup 1-9 by the end of next season.
Elias' stack of LH bats has always needed to become successful enough against MLB LH middle relievers for his strategy to work, and the early season will be the lowest leverage for a perennial playoff contender.
If Basallo is the extension breakthrough, it can all be there Opening Day.
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