Holliday optioned, McKenna recalled

[clapdiddy]

1 minute ago, Tony-OH said:

No doubt this is another opportunity for Urias to get pretty regular PAs, though I expect some still to go to Mateo against lefties.

I think that is a perfectly fine platoon at 2B.   It's nice that those 2 guys provide a lot of versatility.

[Tony-OH]

8 minutes ago, dtk9119 said:

And McKenna was NOT on the 40. That's why they DFAed Banuelos. I bet Kjerstad goes when Hays comes back unless HK starts raking. McKenna is out of options and they probably dont want to expose him to waivers again.

In other news, wonder what the record is for DFAing a guy in one season by a one team. Not that Banuelos is complaining because he probably knows he's pretty lucky to be collecting some nice paychecks, but he's going to be close by the end of the year if they keep using that taxi squad thing to give them an extra player when they need one right away.

[Orioles0615]

Man I wished some team claimed Mckenna. Im glad Nevin is hitting well in Oakland so the O's don't reclaim him

[glenn__davis]

For about the 10th time this calendar year I think "what a weird team".  

But it's hard to complain much when they win as much as they do!

[interloper]

2 minutes ago, Hank Scorpio said:

I guess they feel like Kjerstad > Stowers. 

Still, kind of baffling that it's McKenna, but whatever. Rough first go-round for #7. Maybe we shouldn't make every prospect's debut a media circus. 

Right? It was super gross that whole first week. 

His next callup will be a lot less fanfare, Urias and Mateo may be entrenched a bit more, and the team can mix in Holliday a lot more gradually than they did. There's something to be said for chucking a guy into the deep end head first, and getting the struggles over with, but... it doesn't always work. 

[RZNJ]

7 minutes ago, Pickles said:

Should have been Stowers.

They won’t be able to get Kjerstad AB’s as it is.  Stowers makes no sense whatsoever.

[Orioles West]

Just now, Orioles0615 said:

Man I wished some team claimed Mckenna. Im glad Nevin is hitting well in Oakland so the O's don't reclaim him

Another team would have to want McKenna. He’s still an Oriole, so I’ll gut through this move and hope, as others have suggested, this is for a very short time.

[Tony-OH]

8 minutes ago, interloper said:

McKenna might be useful to start in CF vs LHP in the Yankees series. Mullins has struggled vs LHP. That way you don't have to start both Cowser and Mullins vs lefties. 

NOT SAYING I AGREE. 

But I think that's part of the thinking here.

I think that's exactly the thinking here. McKenna is right-handed hitter who can handle CF defensively. This allows them to keep Cowser in LF where he's looked very good. I'm only a little surprised because Mateo has played some CF and you would think he'd be ok for a game or two until Hays is back. 

They clearly want to be able to DFA that last guy  so McKenna makes more sense in that regard than Norby. Still, with several pitchers like Heasley and Ort available to be DFA'd without issue, I might have gone with Norby and given him some starts at 2B, even if no one can be too psyched with him there defensively.

[RZNJ]

1 minute ago, interloper said:

Right? It was super gross that whole first week. 

His next callup will be a lot less fanfare, Urias and Mateo may be entrenched a bit more, and the team can mix in Holliday a lot more gradually than they did. There's something to be said for chucking a guy into the deep end head first, and getting the struggles over with, but... it doesn't always work. 

I would rather have had Holliday hit great but this could work out.  We gain the extra year.  Reasonable people can’t suggest we manipulated his service time.  He can still be back up well before the 2nd half if they think he’s ready for another go at it.

[Tony-OH]

4 minutes ago, glenn__davis said:

For about the 10th time this calendar year I think "what a weird team".  

But it's hard to complain much when they win as much as they do!

Elias is pretty good at using his entire 40-man as well as other AAAA players to give him short term advantages. At the end of the day, all Elias has to do is point to the standings since last year when people are too upset over any move.

[Mooreisbetter27]

Disappointed, but not altogether surprised.  Hopefully he comes back like Cowser did this year and Grayson did last year, like a ball of fire.  

[interloper]

6 minutes ago, RZNJ said:

They won’t be able to get Kjerstad AB’s as it is.  Stowers makes no sense whatsoever.

Agree, I don't understand the desire for Stowers here. He would never play. There is no real use in having 4 LH OF on the roster. 

[Orioles West]

1 minute ago, Tony-OH said:

I think that's exactly the thinking here. McKenna is right-handed hitter who can handle CF defensively. This allows them to keep Cowser in LF where he's looked very good. I'm only a little surprised because Mateo has played some CF and you would think he'd be ok for a game or two until Hays is back. 

They clearly want to be able to DFA that last guy  so McKenna makes more sense in that regard than Norby. Still, with several pitchers like Heasley and Ort available to be DFA'd without issue, I might have gone with Norby and given him some starts at 2B, even if no one can be too psyched with him there defensively.

Very reasonable, and I also wanted to give Norby a shot — because we know McKenna all too well.

I guess this is why I’d be a not so good GM, I always want to see what the kids can do versus the AAAA guys with experience (who, while limited, can contribute in key spots).

[Tony-OH]

11 minutes ago, Hank Scorpio said:

I guess they feel like Kjerstad > Stowers. 

Still, kind of baffling that it's McKenna, but whatever. Rough first go-round for #7. Maybe we shouldn't make every prospect's debut a media circus. 

While I don't think the "media circus" driven by the Orioles PR, to include giving away his t-shirt in his home debut, caused his problems, I'm a believer that you make a guy earn it at the big league level before you start giving away his likeness on t-shirts or bobbleheads. 

I don't care who you are, you don't need any added pressure while trying to make your way in the big leagues.

[Bemorewins]

Looks as if some of you got your wish.

As much as I love Holliday, the talent, I can't say I'm surprised by this. He will be fine in the long run.