B+ WNST: 12 O's Thoughts Following Series Loss In Pittsburgh
https://baltimorepos...TKrZTjzxLn-irzh
Posted 08 April 2024 - 02:16 PM
Posted 08 April 2024 - 03:06 PM
Seems like all the O's writers are pretty much saying the same thing. Nobody is panicking but this has to change.
Posted 08 April 2024 - 09:13 PM
Posted 09 April 2024 - 06:26 AM
Mullins' 30/30/30 year was very probably an aberration. Baseline Mullins (healthy) is probably .255-ish with 15-20 HRs max and a .310-ish OBP. He hit .263 in the minors so being a consistent .290+ hitter in the majors is a longshot. And he'll play solid+ OF defense with little to no arm.
Not selling high on him after the '21 season is probably a bit of a regret, but can't go back and change it now. He obviously shouldn't be a blocker to anyone coming through the system at this point either.
Hays is similar at the plate, less speed on the bases but a much better OF arm. Another "fine for now" piece that shouldn't block anyone from potentially taking the spot.
Posted 09 April 2024 - 07:28 AM
Posted 09 April 2024 - 07:35 AM
Unless you think Cowser can do it (and I think many don’t think he should every day, I have no real opinion) there is really no one to play CF besides Mullins. No, I don’t think putting an infielder there is an option. So I think you just ride him until someone from the Beavers/Bradfield/Fabian group is ready, which is basically at least till Mullins is a FA. Hope the down year last year was mostly injury related and that he’s healthy now and he’ll be fine.
If you can get .260-.270/20 HR/70 RBI from Mullins, that would be optimum. Not sure he can sustain that batting average anymore. Might be more of a .240-.250 hitter. And you aren't going to find a better defensive centerfielder on the roster so I agree with you. Just ride it out with him and hope for the best. I'd rather see him leading off than Henderson.
Posted 09 April 2024 - 08:13 AM
Posted 09 April 2024 - 09:24 AM
The problem for me is I tend to follow players too much versus the overall team. I like both Ced and Hays but the handwriting is on the wall. They are not long for being on the O's. Sure they both may have enough left in the tank to help this season but thats looking like a fairly big if. And next year? Think they are both gone. But like 2035 said we don't have a real CFer thats close to MLB ready.
Projection - Mullins remains starting CF this season and does just enough that they don't try real hard to find a replacement at the ASB. Hays is either moved at the ASB or relegated to a bench role. You gotta have Cowser getting the majority of the at bats. Need to know if he can cut it as the everyday starter and not in a lefty - righty platoon. We already have a platoon situation at 1B and a C who needs to be the DH more often than not when he's not the C. Lineup is too restricted if LF is also a platoon, at least to my liking.
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