Hicks activated, Cowser optioned

[MurphDogg]

I knew this was going to be the move, but it is still frustrating. Over his last 80 plate appearances, Hicks has a line of .203/.300/.304 and unlike with Cowser's similarly poor MLB line, I have two plus years of data with Hicks that suggest it isn't going to get much better.

Hopefully Cowser takes advantage of playing every day at Norfolk and gets back into a groove over the next couple weeks.

I don't understand bringing Hicks back at this point. I can't really see him making the playoff roster as he doesn't have a single elite skill at this point in his career. I would certainly rather have Kjerstad and McKenna on the playoff roster over Hicks. Can probably carry Ortiz as well, since you don't need close to a full 13-man pitching staff, given all the off days.

Edited August 14, 2023 by MurphDogg

[Sports Guy]

Sofa King stupid

[ThisIsBirdland]

10 minutes ago, MurphDogg said:

I knew this was going to be the move, but it is still frustrating. Over his last 80 plate appearances, Hicks has a line of .203/.300/.304 and unlike with Cowser's similarly poor MLB line, I have two plus years of data with Hicks that suggest it isn't going to get much better.

Hopefully Cowser takes advantage of playing every day at Norfolk and gets back into a groove over the next couple weeks.

I don't understand bringing Hicks back at this point. I can't really see him making the playoff roster as he doesn't have a single elite skill at this point in his career. I would certainly rather have Kjerstad and McKenna on the playoff roster over Hicks. Can probably carry Ortiz as well, since you don't need close to a full 13-man pitching staff, given all the off days.

I'm really excited for Cowser's future (and most of our young guys) but I couldn't disagree more. Cowser's season long line of .115/.286/.148 is just not nearly good enough to run him out there for a team competing for the playoffs. Locking in on Hicks' recent 80 PA as opposed to his full 152 PA tenure in Baltimore (.252/.349/.435) seems a bit too selective as well. Hyde/Elias clearly value ML experience, especially when the rookie in question is struggling as much as Cowser has to this point. 

[bpilktree]

14 minutes ago, MurphDogg said:

I knew this was going to be the move, but it is still frustrating. Over his last 80 plate appearances, Hicks has a line of .203/.300/.304 and unlike with Cowser's similarly poor MLB line, I have two plus years of data with Hicks that suggest it isn't going to get much better.

Hopefully Cowser takes advantage of playing every day at Norfolk and gets back into a groove over the next couple weeks.

I don't understand bringing Hicks back at this point. I can't really see him making the playoff roster as he doesn't have a single elite skill at this point in his career. I would certainly rather have Kjerstad and McKenna on the playoff roster over Hicks. Can probably carry Ortiz as well, since you don't need close to a full 13-man pitching staff, given all the off days.

Hicks still plays a good centerfield.  Cowser looked very suspect there and looks more like a corner outfielder at this point and even that was not that impressive with some poor throws.  You could argue McKenna is better fit to help with defensive replacement then both though.  

[SilverRocket]

This move seems fine given the players' histories. I really don't believe that there's nothing for Cowser to learn at AAA just because he had good numbers there. A lot of development in AAA does not happen during the games.

[Gurgi]

Mateo is make of teflon.  

[Spy Fox]

It will be interesting to see if Cowser gets an expanded roster callup in September. Stowers and Kjerstad have both been hitting well at AAA and may have a clearer bench role as a power pinch-hitter bat. 

[MCO'sFan]

2 minutes ago, ThisIsBirdland said:

I'm really excited for Cowser's future (and most of our young guys) but I couldn't disagree more. Cowser's season long line of .115/.286/.148 is just not nearly good enough to run him out there for a team competing for the playoffs. Locking in on Hicks' recent 80 PA as opposed to his full 152 PA tenure in Baltimore (.252/.349/.435) seems a bit too selective as well. Hyde/Elias clearly value ML experience, especially when the rookie in question is struggling as much as Cowser has to this point. 

I agree with this. I think for the playoff push, Hicks is the better fit on this team right now. Cowswer needs to play everyday and I would expect him to make the 2024 team and play regularly. 

[MurphDogg]

4 minutes ago, Gurgi said:

Mateo is make of teflon.  

Did you not see him pinch running yesterday? I am no Mateo fan and think he should not be on the roster next season, but he needs to be on the playoff roster as a late inning defensive replacement and pinch runner.

[orioles119]

Orioles Hangout never disappoints.  Posters are clamoring for Cowser to get sent down.  When he in fact does, it's suddenly a bad move.  He may have a bright future, he may not.  But now is NOT the time to give him AB's in Baltimore in the middle of a pennant chase.

This is a move that a winning ballclub makes - not one that continues to see what it can squeeze from a lemon (at least through now).  With Mullins back, the OF is now Hays, Mullins, and combo of O'Hearn and Santander from left to right.  Hicks is the super sub now in the OF.

Cowser can now get some regular ABs in Norfolk in hopes of preparing for 2024.

I'm sorry, but I don't see the downside.

[orioles119]

1 minute ago, MurphDogg said:

Did you not see him pinch running yesterday? I am no Mateo fan and think he should not be on the roster next season, but he needs to be on the playoff roster as a late inning defensive replacement and pinch runner.

The O's very own Dave Roberts.

[Moose Milligan]

I think we'll be ok.

[bpilktree]

8 minutes ago, Spy Fox said:

It will be interesting to see if Cowser gets an expanded roster callup in September. Stowers and Kjerstad have both been hitting well at AAA and may have a clearer bench role as a power pinch-hitter bat. 

Stowers is 2-30 in the last 2 weeks with 13 strikeouts.  He is very far from coming up.  

[brucewayne]

Like the move. Cowser is hitting fcking .115

 

Bruh, fcking .115

[spleen1015]