77 replies to this topic

[russsnyder]

I doubt they make this move if either Cowser and Stowers were healthy. That said, I don't have an issue with the move. I doubt the Orioles catch any lightning in the bottle. Great if they do, easy to move on from Hicks via DFA.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Get ‘em Nickle!

Its more fun when Phelan gets you. 😀

[You Play to Win the Game]

I’m a donk for sure but I’m just not into it. Bad move. Thumbs down. Both of them.

[CantonJester]

I really liked Dude's straightjacket comment the other day. 

 

Here we are contending, and he’s all about reclamation projects still. Zero need to not stay in house here given the timeframe and Cowser’s timetable. The major league deal gives me bad vibes. We’ll be stuck with him well past when Ced returns IMO. Gotta love it. Slight upward arc.

Whatever “not the back of a baseball card“ model he’s using, it is flawed. Last years team was better than their computers thought they’d be. And so far this years team is too. Can’t chart a path to winning the division, he said. But he can chart one where Hicks gives the 2023 O’s a bounce back. Makes sense.

 

This isn't necessarily one of those replies, but I wanted to say the following:

 

Hicks is a placeholder. If Cowser is smashing again, he'll be the O's CF. Hicks will ride the pine and become the '40th' man. 

 

Then, if Mullins takes 1 or 2 months? We shall see. 

 

That's my take anyway. 

[Mike B]

Hicks is a band-aid (at best) until Cowser, Stowers or Haskins are ready.  I am okay with him on the roster until then.  If any are back and swinging the bat and are still in AAA, then that IMO is a mistake.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

If I understand correctly we have one open spot on the 40 man? Do we have to put Hicks in that spot (I have no clue how the 40 man works)? If we do then I think this is really dumb. 

[Mackus]

If I understand correctly we have one open spot on the 40 man? Do we have to put Hicks in that spot (I have no clue how the 40 man works)? If we do then I think this is really dumb. 

 

Have to be on the 40-man to be on the active roster, so yes, Hicks fills that spot.

 

There being a spot open shows that its not a really pressing issue at this time.  Means plus a few guys who project to debut at some point this year (Westburg, Cowser, any extra catcher) would need to be added (transferred off 60-day in Means' case) before seeing time in Baltimore.  But there are also several spots that could easily be opened by removing guys like Hicks himself, Denoyer, Gillaspie, Vespi, Watkins, and Zimmerman. Maybe some of those guys get claimed if they're outrighted off the 40-man and are lost, but I somewhat doubt it and wouldn't regret it much even if they did.

 

There is not a 40-man crunch currently, so that needn't be any part of your evaluation of adding Hicks.  Especially if you don't know how it works .  It'll be a real concern come the offseason when we have a slate of minor league guys that have to be added or else risk being lost in the Rule 5.

[dude]

I didn't get to watch today, but good results in his Orioles debut.

[BaltBird 24]

Weak muscles. Real men don't cramp mid-game. Especially when they're 2-2 with a BB. Next.

[Pedro Cerrano]

Weak muscles. Real men don't cramp mid-game. Especially when they're 2-2 with a BB. Next.

I genuinely need to ask if you’re being serious here

[BaltBird 24]

I genuinely need to ask if you’re being serious here

Even I'm not that cynical.

[Mackus]

Really good first week for Hicks (5/11 with 3 BB).  I don't think McKenna would've hit this well.  Doubtful he'll continue as a positive roster presence, but can't argue with what he's done so far.  At the least, it buys Cowser however many days he needs to get reacclimated to playing every day before we call him up.

[CantonJester]

Really good first week for Hicks (5/11 with 3 BB).  I don't think McKenna would've hit this well.  Doubtful he'll continue as a positive roster presence, but can't argue with what he's done so far.  At the least, it buys Cowser however many days he needs to get reacclimated to playing every day before we call him up.

 

You gotta think Hicks is playing for a 4th OF spot at this point. Cowser > Mullins > Hays, with Hicks as the 4th OF. Santander to DH & backup 1B. Frazier's your 5th OF. 

[Mackus]

You gotta think Hicks is playing for a 4th OF spot at this point. Cowser > Mullins > Hays, with Hicks as the 4th OF. Santander to DH & backup 1B. Frazier's your 5th OF. 

 

Agree that once Mullins & Cowser are on the roster, that there isn't room for both Hicks and McKenna.  Hopefully both guys are playing soon, forcing the issue for one of the reserves, but I'm pretty skeptical about Cowser's promotion and no idea on how long Mullins' recovery will take.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Mullins will be well into July so you got 6 weeks minimum for things to shake out otherwise. Cowser will be up at some point soon. Makoman mentioned his potential super 2 status. That could be an issue for a few more weeks. Whats not gonna be an issue is trying to maintain his rookie eligibility into next year. There is a clear reg spot for him even with Hicks and McKenna. You move Santander into more of a 1b/DH role. Vavra is literally doing nothing but being an emergency C right now.

[BaltBird 24]

Vavra offers very little to the roster besides the ability to play some IF. Having Vavra and Frazier on the roster is redundant, except Frazier is a significantly better bat.

[Mackus]

I think Vavra's similar and perhaps even the better hitter between he and Frazier, but he can't defend like Frazier can.  Agree they are redundant, or at least should be if Frazier was in the correct role instead of playing everyday.  Although Frazier has been fine so far this year, I'd strongly prefer someone with more upside take over the role.  Westburg or Ortiz (if he's not needed at SS) would be fine, only turning back to Frazier if those guys struggle.

[Mike B]

Agree that once Mullins & Cowser are on the roster, that there isn't room for both Hicks and McKenna.  Hopefully both guys are playing soon, forcing the issue for one of the reserves, but I'm pretty skeptical about Cowser's promotion and no idea on how long Mullins' recovery will take.

Cowser should meet the team in Baltimore for the series against KC.  They need his defense as much as his bat.  Hicks catches what he gets too, but he plays a very deep CF and that will eventually cause problems IMO.

[BaltBird 24]

Vavra might be a slightly better hitter for average than Frazier, but compared to Vavra - Frazier has Aaron Judge level power. Vavra also doesn't offer a BB advantage.

Vavra is basically a poor man's Adam Frazier already on a team that already has the wealthy man's Adam Frazier. There's zero need to have both on the 26-man roster.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Cowser should meet the team in Baltimore for the series against KC. They need his defense as much as his bat. Hicks catches what he gets too, but he plays a very deep CF and that will eventually cause problems IMO.

Alot more ground to cover in SF. Also better back than in. Again, this isnt a Hicks vs Cowser debate. People need to stop framing it like that. Cowser was needed and may have been on the verge of getting the call before Ced went down.