70 replies to this topic

[Mackus]

1. Who do you think provides more value in 2024? My money would be on Montgomery. Hope like heck I am wrong but we'll see.

 

Interesting question.  Before Bradish's injury I'd have confidently said I expect better from him than Montgomery.  But I think at this point with the health uncertainty around Bradish you have to go with Montgomery.  But there will be similar availability questions about Montgomery, as he'll be very late to ramping up and sometimes the guys who sign late struggle because they are off their normal routine, especially if they hasten things to be ready for Opening Day.

 

Agree with your other points.  Only lookin at wins is outdated at best.  Montgomery has always been good and I'd happily take him for 6/$150M.  Maybe more happily for 3/$84M with an opt-out after each year, which is the type of deal I think he ends up signing.

 

Montgomery also wouldn't cost us our 1st round pick if we signed him, unlike Snell.  I'd rather sign Montgomery than trade for Cease.  And if we sign Montgomery and Bradish ends up being fine, I think that's a real good problem to have for 2024 and then we aren't in as big of a pickle next offseason when both Means and Burnes hit free agency.

[RichardZ]

Are we seriously discussing Montgomery or Snell as possibilities? No chance. Not happening.

[Mackus]

Are we seriously discussing Montgomery or Snell as possibilities? No chance. Not happening.

 

Seriously discussing it as what I think they should do.  I have zero expectation of them actually doing this, but it would make sense given the concerns about Bradish and the still rock bottom payroll. Hell it'd make sense even without the worry about Bradish, though would be much more of a luxury splurge at that point to push out Kremer (or insure against Means and other injury).

[makoman]

Are we seriously discussing Montgomery or Snell as possibilities? No chance. Not happening.

If they require 5 years and 7 figures, I agree. If they are dropping to more like 3/80 with opt outs like Bellinger (who was also projected by some at 150-250M), then I do think there is some possibility, at least for Montgomery (I'd guess Elias wants to hold on to the pick).

[RichardZ]

I’m going with 0% possibility. I put a %10 chance of a Dylan Cease trade being revived though. With the comments about Mayos defense maybe Westburg might be in play along with Cowser or Kjerstad. It could all hinge on Bradish’s recovery or lack thereof.

If Means is really ok and Irvin looking new and improved I don’t see any other moves. Teheran was it.

[Mackus]

5-man rotation to start the season.  Burnes, Rodriguez, Wells, Kremer, Irvin in that order.

[jamesdean]

5-man rotation to start the season.  Burnes, Rodriguez, Wells, Kremer, Irvin in that order.

Potentially strong front end and a weak back end.  As I said, when Kremer and Irvin are on the mound, it's going to be imperative that the offense puts runs on the board. 

[CantonJester]

Potentially strong front end and a weak back end.  As I said, when Kremer and Irvin are on the mound, it's going to be imperative that the offense puts runs on the board. 

 

This team will score a crap-ton of runs. The issue is what the back-end of the rotation does to the bullpen. 

[dude]

Potentially strong front end and a weak back end.  As I said, when Kremer and Irvin are on the mound, it's going to be imperative that the offense puts runs on the board. 

 

Build one starting rotation today from all of the AL East starting rotations.  Go. 

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Build one starting rotation today from all of the AL East starting rotations.  Go. 

Is your point that there aren't 5 starters in the ALE that are better than Kremer and Irvin? There are probably 10 starters in the ALE ahead of either of those two guys.

 

If you point is that every rotation has guys at that level, sure. No question.

[dude]

If you point is that every rotation has guys at that level, sure. No question.

 

This.  It actually goes to a lot of the larger perspective.  Many seem to have this "you have to have an All-Star team to compete", but the reality is every team has flaws.  The Dodgers have flaws.  Teams last year spent an insane amount of money and there's almost no correlation between spending and performance.

 

You compete against other rosters, not some arbitrary perspective of what a good team looks like.  ANY team (read: FO) that even modestly trys can build a roster to compete.  

 

The Orioles have a good team this year.  Should be a good offense and defense.  Good bullpen (despite some of the lamentations) and the starting should be good or better.  We'll see how/if Bradish returns.  Wells was really good last year as a starter until he got tired.  I like him in a bigger impact role but no concerns with him as a starter.  Irvin isn't much of a projection (the early excitement seems to have waned), but we should see Means back sooner than later. 

 

The Orioles are most often projected as a (or the) top team in the American League and it should still be pointed out that's true without really any impact of rebuilding.

 

At the end of the day, projections don't matter.  It's a start point for opportunity. We're a couple days from standing between the lines and the Games count.  Show up.  Get it done.