September Roster Expansion

[RVAOsFan]

Roch posted an article this morning discussing what the roster expansion starting Friday night looks like:

https://www.masnsports.com/blog/making-another-run-at-orioles-roster-expansion

He mentions needing room to bring Hicks back and potential to see Kjerstad (I don't see this happening) or Ortiz on the position side.  Wells and Means are both getting close to coming back and will need roster spots.

I hope we get to see Ortiz come up I just have my doubts that even if he does come up he will get any significant playing time.

Anyone have any thoughts on what the roster looks like Friday night?

[rm5678]

I'd be happier to have McKenna in September instead of Hicks. The last 2 games showed how McKenna can be valuable to the team. I'm assuming there's almost a 0% chance of Hicks being DFA'd, but Elias will have some interesting decisions to make.

[DirtyBird]

We are on pace to win 102 games and are in the middle of a battle for the AL East. I really don't care about seeing Joey Ortiz on the roster. He's a nice player to have in the organization, but I am perfectly fine waiting until next spring for him to become part of the team.

[terpoh]

I'm Guessing Hicks and Wells. Then when Means is ready if he is they'll figure out another pitcher. 

[interloper]

Hays and Santander are both banged up. It will be an outfielder for sure, and probably Kjerstad because you might as well make him available for the playoffs and he'd still retain his rookie status next year. If he doesn't work out, Cowser and Ortiz (and Stowers, even) are already eligible for playoffs since they're on the 40-man. You can get both Hicks and Kjerstad on the roster by optioning McKenna. 

Edited August 30, 2023 by interloper

[RVAOsFan]

5 minutes ago, interloper said:

Hays and Santander are both banged up. It will be an outfielder for sure, and probably Kjerstad because you might as well make him available for the playoffs and he'd still retain his rookie status next year. If he doesn't work out, Cowser and Ortiz (and Stowers, even) are already eligible for playoffs since they're on the 40-man. 

This is a good point, isn't Cowser hitting a little better right now in AAA? Wonder if they bring him back to see if he can get it going. 

[MCO'sFan]

I'd rather have Hicks than McKenna. They both may be on the expanded roster. But I don't think it matters much. I just hope it's not a 3rd catcher. I expect the pitcher to be Wells and Means added later. Who goes when Means is activated? Could be Irvin or Fuji, anyone else? I don't think Baker/Vespi/Krehbiel/Baumann make it back. Of those I guess Baumann is the most likely. 

[LookinUp]

I expect Hicks (for McKenna), Kjerstad (roster expansion), Means (for Voth/Fuji) and Wells (roster expansion).

I think I'd prefer Cowser or maybe even McKenna for the playoffs tbh. I really value OF defense late in games, so I'd rather have them out there than Kjerstad or Santander.

[Sports Guy]

They will just add Hicks. Wells will come up and I’m guessing  Means gets another start and then comes up if all goes well. Voth likely gets DFA’ed.

[dtk9119]

The last 2 nights McKenna showed he's valuable esp in late innings so i dont think he's going anywhere. I would love to see Kjerstad but Hicks did enough earlier on to justify a spot. I am not so sure about Wells though. I'll go out on a limb and say it's Baker (and Hicks). Wells and Means later in the month.

BTW, can someone explain the eligible for playoffs roster rule? I thought you had to be on the 26 man roster (or had been during the season) to be eligible. But others have said you just have to be on the 40 man by Sept 1.

[Pickles]

Kjerstad is not coming up.  If they were going with a prospect it would be Cowser anyway.  But they won't.

Hicks will come up and McKenna will remain.  Wells will be the addition, and they will find a spot for Means when he's ready.

[Aglets]

2 minutes ago, dtk9119 said:

The last 2 nights McKenna showed he's valuable esp in late innings so i dont think he's going anywhere. I would love to see Kjerstad but Hicks did enough earlier on to justify a spot. I am not so sure about Wells though. I'll go out on a limb and say it's Baker (and Hicks). Wells and Means later in the month.

BTW, can someone explain the eligible for playoffs roster rule? I thought you had to be on the 26 man roster (or had been during the season) to be eligible. But others have said you just have to be on the 40 man by Sept 1.

There are exceptions but the rule right now appears to be anyone on your 40 man roster or 60 day injured list before Sep 1st is eligible for the postseason.

[Jammer7]

With Hicks injuries happening, and his slumping since his hit start, I’d like to DFA Hicks. McKenna fits this team much better.

Maybe it is Kjerstad time, but they can go back to Cowser. They need an OF to help Hays, Mullins and Santander get a little rest. They are all banged up.

As far as a pitcher addition, for me it’s Means. I do not necessarily think Wells is a lock to come back. Voth is actually pitching very well, and is apparently healthy, which was an issue for much of the season.

[rm5678]

37 minutes ago, Jammer7 said:

With Hicks injuries happening, and his slumping since his hit start, I’d like to DFA Hicks. McKenna fits this team much better.

 

I completely agree with you that McKenna would be more valuable than Hicks during the stretch run. I'm sure others on here feel differently, but McKenna has shown the past 2 nights exactly what he is capable of (timely late-game hits, stolen bases, defense, etc.).

[interloper]

Hicks' value, for me, is solely tied to his ability to hit in the left-handed batter's box. I would be replacing him with McKenna defensively basically as soon as I could in any game.