169 replies to this topic

[TwentyThirtyFive]

The question is gonna be do we need just 1 SP or 2. If you need a 2nd guy then Im good with that 2nd guy being a Lorenzen or Heaney type. Do agree that no big name will likely be available. Whoever, of a fairly big list of #3 type guys, pitches well over the next month will be labeled as headliners at the deadline.

[CantonJester]

The question is gonna be do we need just 1 SP or 2. If you need a 2nd guy then Im good with that 2nd guy being a Lorenzen or Heaney type. Do agree that no big name will likely be available. Whoever, of a fairly big list of #3 type guys, pitches well over the next month will be labeled as headliners at the deadline.

 

If Jackson Holliday is on the table, then you can bet your boopy big name starting pitching will be made available. 

 

FTR, I voted don't make any of the players listed in the poll available for starting pitching. I'm way too jaded on SP this year. 

[BSLChrisStoner]

The RP we can find, and I want two.

 

SP is trickier.  Who on these teams do you think is a front-end guy and going to be available?  Eflin, Bassitt, Gray, Eovaldi, Scherzer, Fedde, and Quantrill all interest me to varying degrees, but I don't think of any as front-end.  I'd be content to go into the playoffs with any of them as our 3rd starter and they are improvements over whomever of Povich, Kremer or Irvin gets bumped from the rotation.

 

Luzardo and Montgomery are kind of special cases, not sure how I feel about either.

 

Kikuchi, Lorenzen, Heaney, Anderson, Flaherty, Taillon, are guys I don't think I'm interested in.  Would take them over doing nothing, but all would feel similar to the Flaherty trade last year as only a minimally acceptable option and not an actual good move.

 

Crochet, Skubal, and the young Pittsburgh arms likely aren't really available, but would be intriguing enough to dangle one of the untouchables. Any other front-end guys I'm forgetting?

 

My preferred options are Logan Webb, Gausman, and Zac Gallen.
I don't know that any are on the market, but I think the O's have the system depth to plausibly make a deal happen with any of them.

I'd offer SF  Basallo or Kjerstad, Norby, McDermott, Beavers, and Fabian.

As I said in another thread, Webb's Savant page isn't going to wow you.
But GB and BB's are excellent. Contract certainly works, which you could argue as reason for SF to keep him... but the Giants aren't chasing down LA anytime soon. I think getting a package of guys under long-term control would appeal to them. 
 

Toronto has Gausman under contract through '26. 

I think the Jays are closer to blowing up vs tinkering with the existing group.

Cost for Gausman shouldn't be overwhelming. Maybe the Jays charge a surplus for trading in the division, but if I'm Toronto, I'd rather take prospects from the divisional foe I'm chasing if the overall packages offered are similar. 

 

I feel I could offer SF and Toronto enough that they'd trade Webb and Gausman.
I'm probably more skeptical that Arizona would trade Gallen, who I like the most.
They are coming off the World Series appearance. 
They might think '24 is an aberration, and they can contend again shortly. 

That said, he's a FA after '25. 
Could they be convinced to cash in on him now?

 

He's not under long-term control like Webb, so I wouldn't love giving a package of 4-5 talented guys under long-term control for him.
But, I would love him having him for now and knowing I have him for next year when I could lose Burnes, and won't have Bradish.

 

Those are the first 3 I'm thinking about.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Gausman's trends really concern me. Locked up for two more years at 23 mil per. Pass. 

[BSLChrisStoner]

Gausman's trends really concern me. Locked up for two more years at 23 mil per. Pass. 

Yeah, this year has been rough... but he's been excellent for a number of years, obviously knows the division (and Baltimore), etc...  and again there, the cost shouldn't be overwhelming division be damned. 

[jamesdean]

Regardless of what pitcher you analyze, there's going to be warts to the performance.  You can count on one hand as far as the truly dominating pitchers out there and they're not coming to Baltimore.  At least not this year.  So, if you're Elias, you concentrate on the 2nd level.  Much more of them out there and you wouldn't have to give up the farm to get them.  Especially, if they're on lousy teams. Only time will tell, but I do think that's the road he's going to go down to bring in some much-needed help. 

[CantonJester]

Regardless of what pitcher you analyze, there's going to be warts to the performance.  You can count on one hand as far as the truly dominating pitchers out there and they're not coming to Baltimore.  At least not this year.  So, if you're Elias, you concentrate on the 2nd level.  Much more of them out there and you wouldn't have to give up the farm to get them.  Especially, if they're on lousy teams. Only time will tell, but I do think that's the road he's going to go down to bring in some much-needed help. 

 

If Texas loses a bunch of games into July, I think they're going to put Max on the block. Not sure what I'd give up for him, but I'd definitely answer the phone. 

[Slidemaster]

If Texas loses a bunch of games into July, I think they're going to put Max on the block. Not sure what I'd give up for him, but I'd definitely answer the phone.

The only problem is that every competing team will have the same thought, which is that he shouldn't cost much and is a perfect mid-season rental. Might make the cost higher than expected.

[CantonJester]

The only problem is that every competing team will have the same thought, which is that he shouldn't cost much and is a perfect mid-season rental. Might make the cost higher than expected.

 

No doubt. But the O's are in such a position to be able to deal from near the top of the deck without breaking a sweat. I don't mean to suggest they limit their search to a Scherzer, but he ticks a lot of boxes. 

[Mackus]

If Texas loses a bunch of games into July, I think they're going to put Max on the block. Not sure what I'd give up for him, but I'd definitely answer the phone. 

 

I'd put Scherzer in the mix with a bunch of the other guys mentioned, but I don't think he's above that group any longer.  He's been injured too often and was merely good last year when available (3.77 ERA / 111 ERA+).  If he has 4 great starts between now and the deadline I'll probably buy in more that he's still capable of being that dominant guy.  Not saying I wouldn't trade for him, just pumping the brakes a bit on what I'd expect from him.

[CantonJester]

I'd put Scherzer in the mix with a bunch of the other guys mentioned, but I don't think he's above that group any longer.  He's been injured too often and was merely good last year when available (3.77 ERA / 111 ERA+).  If he has 4 great starts between now and the deadline I'll probably buy in more that he's still capable of being that dominant guy.  Not saying I wouldn't trade for him, just pumping the brakes a bit on what I'd expect from him.

 

I get it. But if the price is right, I'd be good with rolling the dice on a Scherzer. They'd still need another SP though (as well as upgrades in the BP). 

[jamesdean]

No way I'd give up a top prospect for Scherzer.  Maybe a package of lesser ones like a Stowers or Norby, plus one of our outfielders. (Cowser/Hays/Mullins) If Texas asks for the moon, pass.  Not worth it. 

[jamesdean]

Gausman was hammered again today while Cole got back on track.  Any thoughts on trading for Gausman should be approached with extreme caution. 

[BobPhelan]

Kikuchi > Gausman

[CantonJester]

No way I'd give up a top prospect for Scherzer.  Maybe a package of lesser ones like a Stowers or Norby, plus one of our outfielders. (Cowser/Hays/Mullins) If Texas asks for the moon, pass.  Not worth it. 

 

IMO the O's aren't dealing from their starting OF stock to improve the rotation. The Ranger wouldn't be interested in Hays / Mullins anyway. 

[BaltBird 24]

Zero interest in Gausman at his contract and how he's trending on savant.

[BSLChrisStoner]

The cost for Gausman is not going to be that high. He's been very good the last few years. This month (starting with a start vs the Os) he has allowed a bunch of homers. He's done this before. The stuff probably hasn't fallen off much , he's probably just not hitting his spots and paying for it. The Orioles advance scouts would have a good idea if its correctable or real deterioration.

The contract is a non issue.
Two years at $23m per is fine. A 3rd starter with any real upside in FA will cost similar.

There are better options I'd spend more for.

[jamesdean]

IMO the O's aren't dealing from their starting OF stock to improve the rotation. The Ranger wouldn't be interested in Hays / Mullins anyway. 

Certainly not by themselves but I could see them accepting them as part of the package, especially Mullins, who at least provides bench speed and defense. 

[CantonJester]

Certainly not by themselves but I could see them accepting them as part of the package, especially Mullins, who at least provides bench speed and defense. 

 

Right, but the O's aren't parting with Mullins, or really anyone from their OF rotation on an in-season trade. Yes, Cowser can take over for Mullins well enough, but if Hays gets hurt again (psst - he will be hurt again), that means you've got to put Kjerstad in LF. That's not a good thing. Unless you wanna run Norby out there, or bring Mateo to CF and switch Cowser back to LF. 

 

That's what teams who are middling do. Not teams projecting to win 100+ games. 

[RichardZ]

Yeah, this year has been rough... but he's been excellent for a number of years, obviously knows the division (and Baltimore), etc...  and again there, the cost shouldn't be overwhelming division be damned. 

Aim higher than Fedde but go after Gausman?

I know Gausman has the better track record but Fedde has clearly been the better, more consistent pitcher this year and that was before the Yanks tattooed Gausman today. Be careful what you wish for.