Cardinals are open for business

[banks703]

4 minutes ago, HakunaSakata said:

I don't know if I'd use the word "unfortunately". Everyone wants a big sexy move, but they rarely happen in season. I'm perfectly fine with them just trying to plug the holes this season then solving the bigger problem during the offseason. 

I think that if they are serious about competing they HAVE to make at least two moves; add a quality reliever, someone who can fill the void of not having Akin/Tate/Givens pitching (well) and I think they need at least one starter upgrade.

I do think that it's unfortunate because their offense, with Cowser and Westburg (and hopefully at some point Ortiz) and a platoon of O'Hearn and Mountcastle, can be good enough to compete in the postseason. Wells and Braddish have pitched well the entire first half. The other guys have been good at times but I don't have a lot of confidence in the other guys right now. They need three good starters for a postseason run. Maybe one does turn out to be GrayRod. Maybe one turns out to be Means. Maybe one of Irvin or Gibson go on a run. That's a lot of maybes while also assuming that Braddish and Wells will continue to pitch as well as they have thus far. 

[Malike]

I honestly believe how they do the rest of the month is going to determine if they actually try to add impact players at the deadline. There are too many teams right now who are on the fence playoff-wise, and hopefully, some of that will be more clear in a couple of weeks.

[NCRaven]

The love for non-firstbasemen firstbasemen amuses me know end.  I have not seen a single report that says Kjerstad plays a good first base.  I love me some Kjerstad.  In right field.  If the O's are serious about replacing Mountcastle, who we all know I like a lot, then Coby Mayo should be playing 1st base every day in Norfolk.

[OsFanSinceThe80s]

26 minutes ago, HakunaSakata said:

I hate t break it to you, but there is very little chance they trade for someone you consider a "difference maker" this season. 

I think this is the most likely outcome, but at the very least it would be nice to get one bullpen arm even if it isn't a pitcher on David Bednar's level. At some point Elias is going to have to flip some of these prospects.

It won't happen this season, but there is going to be a serious logjam next year with MLB ready players and no open spots on the Orioles 26 man roster.

Edited July 13, 2023 by OsFanSinceThe80s

[Can_of_corn]

2 minutes ago, NCRaven said:

The love for non-firstbasemen firstbasemen amuses me know end.  I have not seen a single report that says Kjerstad plays a good first base.  I love me some Kjerstad.  In right field.  If the O's are serious about replacing Mountcastle, who we all know I like a lot, then Coby Mayo should be playing 1st base every day in Norfolk.

They sure didn't give Mountcastle a ton of reps at first before moving him there (84 games out of 127 in 2019).

[Malike]

5 minutes ago, banks703 said:

I do think that it's unfortunate because their offense, with Cowser and Westburg (and hopefully at some point Ortiz) and a platoon of O'Hearn and Mountcastle, can be good enough to compete in the postseason. 

I'm all for running him out there every day because I'd rather he learn on the job, but Cowser has not been in the same stratosphere as Henderson and Westburg when they were brought up. OPS+ of 68 in a small sample, but the others basically came up and had an impact with the bat, he's not. He's taking walks, which is nice, but at this point, he's below replacement level. (SSS, yes.)

[NCRaven]

2 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

They sure didn't give Mountcastle a ton of reps at first before moving him there (84 games out of 127 in 2019).

84 remains a much bigger number than the games that either Kjerstad (20) or Mayo (11) have played as professionals.

[Can_of_corn]

1 minute ago, NCRaven said:

84 remains a much bigger number than the games that either Kjerstad (20) or Mayo (11) have played as professionals.

They were not in any sort of a rush to move him is my point.

I don't think they think there is much of a learning curve.

[NCRaven]

25 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

They were not in any sort of a rush to move him is my point.

I don't think they think there is much of a learning curve.

I think it can be learned, but it may not be as easy as some think (just ask Ron Washington  ).

Urias certainly hasn't looked "smooth" out there and I haven't heard any rave reviews for Kjerstad.  I also think Mountcastle's defense has been maligned unnecessarily here.  He's not Keith Hernandez but he is acceptable.  Unfortunately, he really was in a funk at the plate after April or we wouldn't need to have this conversation.

Edited July 13, 2023 by NCRaven

[e16bball]

Chris Stratton is a guy that might be of interest at a lower price. He fares extremely well in the Stuff+ and PitchingBot type analyses, and the K/BB rates look very nice this year (2.97 FIP). Making $2.8M in the last year of arbitration.

I still think they’re going to be hesitant to jump into the deep end with the prospect for veteran trades, which could make guys like this a little more appealing. Plus, I think there’s a good chance they may want to add two guys, so he might be a nice second reliever to pick up.

[banks703]

35 minutes ago, Malike said:

I'm all for running him out there every day because I'd rather he learn on the job, but Cowser has not been in the same stratosphere as Henderson and Westburg when they were brought up. OPS+ of 68 in a small sample, but the others basically came up and had an impact with the bat, he's not. He's taking walks, which is nice, but at this point, he's below replacement level. (SSS, yes.)

His OBP is .381 right now and he has scored in every game that he has played for the Orioles this year. He's had a few productive ABs that resulted in him being put-out on the play but moved the runner, which lead to a run scored. I'll take what he is producing right now every single day of the week.

I'll have to go back and fact-check this but someone on the board pointed out that he took a little longer to adjust to promotions than some of the other guys. I am confident that he's going to be just fine. If all he does is get on base 38% of the time and score one run per game, he's still head and shoulders a better option on the 26 man than Ryan McKenna. 

[Can_of_corn]

 

 

 

 

[Roll Tide]

6 hours ago, webbrick2010 said:

Neither, we have young bats that can be moved to 1B, plus Santander

Santander is likely on the block after this season.

[Roll Tide]

1 hour ago, Can_of_corn said:

 

 

 

 

Not really sure who Jeff Jones is. The only reason that makes sense is his refusal to waive his NTC

[RZNJ]

2 hours ago, Malike said:

I'm all for running him out there every day because I'd rather he learn on the job, but Cowser has not been in the same stratosphere as Henderson and Westburg when they were brought up. OPS+ of 68 in a small sample, but the others basically came up and had an impact with the bat, he's not. He's taking walks, which is nice, but at this point, he's below replacement level. (SSS, yes.)

He’s had good AB’s though and generally made good contact although he hasn’t really driven the ball yet.  Seems like just a matter of time before he clicks.   Ortiz, who I like as well, seemed a little over aggressive when he got his opportunity.