305 replies to this topic

[BSLRoseKatz]

Cowser had a really terrible MLB debut but nothing else to prove in AAA, then hit 304/418/717 last spring. It's plausible he doesn't earn a spot last year if he starts the spring 1-23 or whatever. I guess Cowser was a year older and actually has defensive value, but maybe Mayo could have forced the issue if he performed. You know they'd want potential ROY candidates on the roster.

 

Not gonna check the exact numbers but I think Westburg had a pretty strong spring in 2023 after already getting a pretty solid AAA sample and didn't make the OD roster that year so I'm a bit skeptical about that premise 

[makoman]

Not gonna check the exact numbers but I think Westburg had a pretty strong spring in 2023 after already getting a pretty solid AAA sample and didn't make the OD roster that year so I'm a bit skeptical about that premise 

You're right, 879 OPS 2023 spring, so who knows, though Westburg didn't exactly have tons of minor sample. 77 games in AA and 91 in AAA prior to 2023. Mayo has 112 and 151.

 

I of course have no idea what they internally thought about anybody, but externally Westburg also wasn't ever the same level of prospect of Mayo and Cowser who were both top 30ish.

[weird-O]

His AAA reassignment is getting a lot of attention. I saw one blog that said the O's need to trade him, because it's not right how they're handling his career.

 

I suppose the O's were banking on him to show out in the bigs, and then move Mountcastle. This isn't a rebuild, they can't just sacrifice a spot in the line up, while he works things out. 

[NewMarketSean]

Should have traded Mayo and kept Norby.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

The problem is that while O's FO can claim its all sss and point to Mayo's hitting in AAA the simple fact is that his stock is dropping and potential trade targets know we are in serious need of some starting pitching. They are not in a good negotiating place. Hopefully he absolutely crushes AAA and somehow gets to the bigs.

[Mackus]

I don't really want to find out what his value is, I want him to be the 1B. Ok with sending him down for a bit while we also break in Holliday and Kjerstad a bit, but unless he falls on his face and struggles I want to clear a path for him to get time by midseason. I expect that'll work out naturally, I don't think both Mountcastle and O'Hearn will play well enough to keep him buried. Good problem if they do, and if Mayo is blocked for most of the year by guys hitting really well, that's ok.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Should have traded Mayo and kept Norby.

Say what now

[BobPhelan]

Should have traded Mayo and kept Norby.

 

Ew no lol

[BobPhelan]

Agree, there was no chance for Mayo to make the OD roster without an injury to Mountcastle, O'Hearn or maybe O'Neill. A 1000 slash line doesn't get him on there. I do think his pedestrian performance validates a lot of the disappointment with his comments. But I personally didn't take his comments to be criticism of the decision, just criticism of the result. Doesn't bother me.

 

Exactly this. He's also probably frustrated because he had a back issue over the offseason and couldn't hit much, which helps explain the slow start. Was 7 for his last 19 with three doubles so starting to feel comfortable. But the results weren't a factor in the decision. 

[NewMarketSean]

Ew no lol

 

We'll keep tabs on this one.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

We'll keep tabs on this one.

We wont need too. Norby is the most overrated player Ive seen around these parts in awhile. I dont even think most people realized how much he cooled down at the end of the year in Miami. And he cant play defense. And hes a midget.

[weird-O]

"The comments I made yesterday to the media after being optioned were by no means directed to the Orioles Organization or the Norfolk Tides. I will be the first to tell you I didn't do enough this spring to break camp with the big league team. I was frustrated in the moment and things were taken out of context. As a competitor, this has lit a fire in me and I will make sure I work even harder to get back to the big leagues and help the team win games as soon as possible. I will never settle for anything less than the best version of myself."

Someone in his camp must have told him to walk back his post-demotion comment. 

[BSLRoseKatz]

I mean his comments were fine, you'd rather have competitors upset about being demoted than someone just going "aww shucks, we'll try again next year"  

[weird-O]

Sure, but that's not the issue. It's that he accused the O's of making a stupid decision, rather than looking in the mirror, or his stat sheet. 

[Mackus]

Someone in his camp must have told him to walk back his post-demotion comment.

I don't think he walked anything back, just explained what his intentions were to provide clarii. I took it the way he now says he meant it as being disappointed with the result, but good to come back and confirm that for anyone who thought it was directed at the decision.

[You Play to Win the Game]

We wont need too. Norby is the most overrated player Ive seen around these parts in awhile. I dont even think most people realized how much he cooled down at the end of the year in Miami. And he cant play defense. And hes a midget.

Seth shared a story recently which I won't share unless he wants to himself - but basically he found out that Norby has a little bro in NCAA, and based on his early performances, he's a bit of a stud. SP.

[You Play to Win the Game]

I don't think he walked anything back, just explained what his intentions were to provide clarii. I took it the way he now says he meant it as being disappointed with the result, but good to come back and confirm that for anyone who thought it was directed at the decision.

Maybe it's just me, but I like that he cares. 

[weird-O]

Maybe it's just me, but I like that he cares. 

Sure, we all do. Do his comments signal to you, that he cares more than Basallo? He was reassigned at the same time. 

[You Play to Win the Game]

Sure, we all do. Do his comments signal to you, that he cares more than Basallo? He was reassigned at the same time. 

I have no way of knowing, have never met either of them. Not particularly interested in comparing. Mayo's comments didn't bother me in the slightest.

[BSLRoseKatz]

I have no way of knowing, have never met either of them. Not particularly interested in comparing. Mayo's comments didn't bother me in the slightest.

 

Also for all we know Basallo has said something just like this, but he said it talking to his parents, a close friend, etc instead of on-the-record to the press