Mike Elias Interview Takeaways

[Billy F-Face3]

MASN interviewed Mike Elias during 2nd Inning of the game. Here are a few of the takeaways...

• July is their busiest time of year.  Lots going on behind the scenes.
• Thrilled with Enerique Bradfield Jr falling to them. They thought he was a top 10 talent in the draft. "Elite runner & CFer, ton of fire, hard worker, competitive."
• Went with more college players because the bonus pool was lower drafting @ 17th. High school layers are more expensive later in the draft.
• Jackson Baumeister and Keith Lord were the 1st 2 (college) pitchers he named (seeming optimistic) when talking about the pitchers they got to select.
• Trade talks have heated up.
• 6 or 7 MLB teams are confirmed sellers.
• Confirmed that Orioles are buyers.
• Gotta wait: 15-20 teams are in limbo, and what happens with them in the standings the next 2 weeks will determine trade strategy / market for all teams.
• Orioles aren't really looking to trade for position players.
• Orioles are making it a priority to trade for pitching.
• Mike is relieved to see the Orioles pick right back up from the success they were having from last season in 2022. Likes the chemistry, speed, and defense.
• Going to go with this group of position players as long as they can before needing some fresh pitching. (This could be code for 'We're looking for a trade.')
• Grayson Rodriguez probably getting recalled soon. Intentionally "shortened up to be fresh coming out of ASB." We "may be seeing him soon".
• John Means is up and running and throwing again. They definitely expect him back before end of season. Hoping it's late August to early Sept.
• Trying to give Tyler Wells an extended All Star Break. Wants to manage Wells' innings. "He's one of our best pitchers. Just trying to be smart about it."

 

On the subject of trades....

Kevin Brown: "Where would you look to add to this Major League team, position wise?"

Mike Elias: "Yeah, I think on the position player side, if our health stays like this, it's hard to see us being overly motivated" (to trade for position players), "but you know... you can always use more pitching; We've got a whole second half left of the season. We're gonna have health stuff crop up as always, and this is kind of a last opportunity to bring some pitching into the organization for the stretch and a hopeful playoff run, so I believe we'll be prioritizing that for sure."

Kevin Brown: "Maybe it's to early, Mike, to know... Do you sense this is a situation where you all will be trading from a prospect pool, or is there a possibility that you might be trade from position players in the majors to get a major league pitcher, or is it too early to know that?"

Mike Elias: "I don't really know... We're certainly gonna be open to whatever and talk about it, because that's just how these things work. But... it's really-It's really hard to forecast that right now, other than we're having every possible conversation we can; We're staying in touch with teams. And you know, I think one thing is really unique for us in strength is not only are the Orioles good, but our AAA team is really good too. If you're a team that's selling, and you're looking for some help that's coming back that could help you on the sooner side" (rather than later), "...it's good from our standpoint to have a bunch of nice players performing well in AAA. So I think we're prepared to talk about anything. It's just going to have to make sense for both parties."
 

[Gurgi]

I vote no trading Kjerstad or Mayo.  We have need for both next year.  

Trade Prieto, Ortiz, Stowers, Norby.  

[Winter]

Be ready for a Rich Hill type starter "to eat innings" and a decent A's reliever that doesn't cost much. I don't think i'd be mad about it. Time can change that yet, if the Rays fall on their face the next couple weeks and we jump past them by a few games i can see that opinion changing fast. -- It would be different if a team like the Brewers was out of it and trading top prospects could land a Burnes but the sellers now have little to offer in terms of non-2-3 month rentals, rentals which i dont see Elias trading away any substantial prospect for. 

I also believe we will have a couple small deals that are "sell" deals for project/mid-level prospects, trading Mateo possibly Hicks.

Hopefully our division opponents go overpay for barely above average rentals though. 

Wasn't Elias goal to make the playoffs? I wish they'd of asked him if that changed to making it and winning a playoff series. The experience alone helps the young core, I hope they get to play in a home playoff series this year. 

[Sports Guy]

They may add a starter but I’m not convinced they will.

Edited July 15, 2023 by Sports Guy

[IPlayGM]

4 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

They may add a starter but I’m not convinced they will.

His name will be Grayson.

I’m with you, I think it’s bullpen arms, potentially multiple.

[Bahama O's Fan]

14 minutes ago, IPlayGM said:

His name will be Grayson.

I’m with you, I think it’s bullpen arms, potentially multiple.

And Means

[DirtyBird]

5 hours ago, Billy F-Face3 said:

 

• Going to go with this group of position players as long as they can before needing some fresh pitching. (This could be code for 'We're looking for a trade.')

No. I think it’s code for, as long as starters continue to go deep into games, and the bullpen isn’t getting taxed, they will carry an extra bat.

[Jagwar]

4 hours ago, Gurgi said:

I vote no trading Kjerstad or Mayo.  We have need for both next year.  

Trade Prieto, Ortiz, Stowers, Norby.  

If that's the case I wouldn't temper expectations for players coming back to the O's

[geschinger]

7 minutes ago, Jagwar said:

If that's the case I wouldn't temper expectations for players coming back to the O's

Yes, if the expectation is acquiring good players with several years of control or under a reasonable contract that would cost a lot.

Expiring contracts/salary dumps even for very good players usually can be had for maybe a fringe top ten org prospect and some lottery tickets.

[emmett16]

1 hour ago, IPlayGM said:

His name will be Grayson.

I’m with you, I think it’s bullpen arms, potentially multiple.

Grayson……and John.   They will 100% add bullpen arms.  Means, Bradish, Grayson in playoffs with Wells & Kremer as a backup is fine by me.  (Assuming Grayson & Means are performing to their talent level).  Means coming back healthy and productive is the ultimate trump card.  

[Jagwar]

Just now, emmett16 said:

Grayson……and John.   They will 100% add bullpen arms.  Means, Bradish, Grayson in playoffs with Wells & Kremer as a backup is fine by me.  (Assuming Grayson & Means are performing to their talent level).  Means coming back healthy and productive is the ultimate trump card.  

What if the bullpen arms are actually... GRod and Means?

[Sports Guy]

2 minutes ago, geschinger said:

Yes, if the expectation is acquiring good players with several years of control or under a reasonable contract that would cost a lot.

Expiring contracts/salary dumps even for very good players usually can be had for maybe a fringe top ten org prospect and some lottery tickets.

Yep and this is why I have been saying they will go the rental route in all likelihood.

 

[emmett16]

15 minutes ago, Jagwar said:

If that's the case I wouldn't temper expectations for players coming back to the O's

Ortiz, Norby, Stowers, Prieto would be an absolute massive haul for anyone.   Heck 2 of the 4 would be a great haul.  

[emmett16]

1 minute ago, Jagwar said:

What if the bullpen arms are actually... GRod and Means?

Judging by them never having pitched an inning of relief in their professional careers  I’d say “not likely”.

[Jagwar]

Just now, emmett16 said:

Judging by them never having pitched an inning of relief in their professional careers  I’d say “not likely”.

Unless... there was a need to limit innings or ease someone back after an extended injury. It wouldn't be the first time starting pitchers were added to the bullpen.