53 replies to this topic

[BSLChrisStoner]

If you just gave me signings of Rodriguez and Alex Wood; I'd be very excited.

Cant make them sign with you but you can offer and make them say no.

[Mackus]

Similar to a "predict the record" thread we should have a "predict the offseason" thread in terms of total dollars given out to free agents.

I think it'll be under $10M total.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Yeah, I'm checking out. I'll watch on Opening Day. Per usual, everyone here knows where I stand on this.

[Slidemaster]

Fantasy baseball keeps me engaged in the sport. We're it not for that I'd be done. What's the point in sucking this badly when you don't even use your top picks on the best players available?

And, I said this earlier, but it is incredibly irritating to me that they can't even tank their way into the 1st overall pick. They're just good enough to screw themselves out of the best player in the draft.

[Pedro Cerrano]

It’s all ownership. The one constant throughout pretty much 23 years of misery has been who is at the top of the ladder. Whether its PGA or his dopey kids they are running the show.

The GM, manager, coaches, etc have all always been limited by this piss poor ownership.

As for Elias I think he he doing as good a job he can with the cards he’s been dealt. Once our minor league players are ready to contribute at the major league level, maybe ownership will open up their wallets, blow the cob webs out and spend some real money.

[Pedro Cerrano]

I’m the real idiot. I actually UPGRADED my seats for next year.

Moving down to the terrace box. Time to see how the other half lives!

[Ravens2006]

They're not two years away from credibility or contention. Had last year not been a 60 game science experiment, this would have been the 4th straight year of losing 105+. Not trying to win major league games is disgusting and unacceptable, for a major league franchise. Elias and this project has to play in the AL East, with 4 other competent franchises, three of which willing to FAR outspend him.

Simply being better in a couple years isn't vindicaton, though I'm sure that will be the talking point / company PR spin line. They've set the bar insanely pathetically low, showing "some improvement" is going to be hailed as a sign that things are going right. And some folks will still buy it...

[Pedro Cerrano]

They're not two years away from credibility or contention. Had last year not been a 60 game science experiment, this would have been the 4th straight year of losing 105+. Not trying to win major league games is disgusting and unacceptable, for a major league franchise. Elias and this project has to play in the AL East, with 4 other competent franchises, three of which willing to FAR outspend him.

Simply being better in a couple years isn't vindicaton, though I'm sure that will be the talking point / company PR spin line. They've set the bar insanely pathetically low, showing "some improvement" is going to be hailed as a sign that things are going right. And some folks will still buy it...

It’s the curse of loving a sports team. Some people can tip their hat and say “fare well” — most can’t.

[You Play to Win the Game]

After a couple weeks of rehab, AKA not watching the on field product, I've cooled off considerably and can more rationally see all the great things Elias has been able to do here in a fairly short time. Calling for his ouster was obviously a ridiculous venting session, but still stupid. I still don't love the big league complacency and excuses, but watching the success the Astros are having with that pitching staff, it gives me even more hope big picture.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

After a couple weeks of rehab, AKA not watching the on field product, I've cooled off considerably and can more rationally see all the great things Elias has been able to do here in a fairly short time. Calling for his ouster was obviously a ridiculous venting session, but still stupid. I still don't love the big league complacency and excuses, but watching the success the Astros are having with that pitching staff, it gives me even more hope big picture.

We know when youre just venting. I trust Elias fully. I dont trust ownership at all. What a tough spot.

[You Play to Win the Game]

We know when youre just venting. I trust Elias fully. I dont trust ownership at all. What a tough spot.

It really is. But they hired him. Seemingly have given him total control. Invested in the DR facility. There are signs, but so I have faith they'll do what's needed when we really are close? No, because I'm sane. They'll have to prove that part. One of those, gotta see it to believe it.

[Mike in STL]

Lunhow and Elias' first season with the Astros was 2012.

 

Win totals of: 55, 51, 70, 86 (playoffs), 84, 101 (WS champs), 103. Then Elias was hired by the O's for the 2019 season and beyond.

 

They have had win totals of: 54, COVID, and 52. They need to win more than 70 games in 2022 or they're definitely doing it wrong. 

 

I look at the 2013 HOU team, the last year of tear down, and compare it to the 2021 Orioles, who we hope was the last year of the tear down and hope the build begins this winter.

SPs with 10+ starts

HOU: 8  BAL: 7  (70-win 2014: 6, Playoffs 2015: 6)

 

Of those SPs, how many with an ERA under 4.00

HOU: 3  BAL: 1 (3, 4)

 

Under 5.00

HOU: 4  BAL: 1 (6, 6, all of them)

 

Over 6.00

HOU: 0  BAL: 5 (0, 0)

 

Batters with over 200 PAs

HOU: 12  BAL: 11 (12, 13)

 

Of those, OPS+ over 100

HOU: 2  BAL: 5 (5, 10)

 

This tells me that without significant additions to the lineup, the O's need a pitching staff overhaul (sans Means) in order to get to 70 wins. The slew of 6.00 ERA guys can't happen again (Obviously you don't need me to tell you this). But with a half decent lineup, and a half decent pitching staff, you can win 70 games. Feel like the Astros last year of losing as badly as the O's are was the reverse, a half decent pitching staff, couldn't hit a lick. These O's have some hitters, can't pitch if their life depended on it. 

 

Potential top to mid-rotation pitchers should be top of the list for 2022. Keep on adding in 2023 where having only 5 good hitters won't cut it. If Elias is following the Astros model that is. 

[bmore_ken]

Similar to a "predict the record" thread we should have a "predict the offseason" thread in terms of total dollars given out to free agents.

I think it'll be under $10M total.

I think 10 is the high number. I think we have another year of management hoping the internal solutions will be THE SOLUTION and another 100 loss season. To be respectful this team needs to sign at minimum two halfway decent ML starting pitchers. Not necessarily good, but halfway

decent.

[bmore_ken]

We know when youre just venting. I trust Elias fully. I dont trust ownership at all. What a tough spot.

I trust neither. If Elias loses his job next season he's not starving. If ownership is constraining him, he needs to come out  and say it. Then he'll have my respect.