11 replies to this topic

[BSLChrisStoner]

WNST: Five Orioles questions to open 2025 spring training

https://baltimorepos...xmhS1pp-J0QR9ZA

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Good stuff. I'd like to see somebody really lay out what they think is going on with Mayo. The moves the O's have been making don't give me a warm fuzzy they think he's legit.

[Mackus]

Good stuff. I'd like to see somebody really lay out what they think is going on with Mayo. The moves the O's have been making don't give me a warm fuzzy they think he's legit.

If they didn't think he was legit they'd have made him the centerpiece for Crochet.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

If they didn't think he was legit they'd have made him the centerpiece for Crochet.

Which they should have done....lol.

 

But you didn't answer the question. The way they were so slow to bring him up last year when they clearly needed offensive (and especially RHed) help and the moves they made this winter which appear to be aimed at starting him back at AAA is just weird to me.

 

For those on here that follow soccer I see this as akin to the situation in Germany with Dortmund and Gio Reyna. Teams inquire about buying him since he is just a bit player. Dortmund says they want $18M in a transfer fee. The interested teams balk saying he isn't worth that. To which Dortmund replies yes he is. To which the interested teams respond no he's not or you'd be playing him. Its not like Dortmund is tearing it up with all their other great players. They sit 11th in the standings. It just doesn't wash and this whole Mayo thing doesn't wash for me either.

[Mackus]

Which they should have done....lol.

But you didn't answer the question. The way they were so slow to bring him up last year when they clearly needed offensive (and especially RHed) help and the moves they made this winter which appear to be aimed at starting him back at AAA is just weird to me.

I think they're just very cautious and slow with prospects plus they really like waiting to try and game the system for ROY comp picks. They've done that with literally everyone except Holliday, and I think they only promoted him fast to take a swing at winning ROY and getting a draft pick. That same explanation is part of why they delayed Mayo and certainly why they sent him out after the initial struggles. They wanna maintain the chance at a comp pick if he wins ROY (he'd need to be up immediately in '25 to have a chance, so they may end up not pursuing that but they kept the option available through the off-season). They did the same with Cowser. Probably why we won't see Basallo for more than a cup of coffee this year.

[BobPhelan]

The Orioles love Mayo and very much feel he is legit.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

The Orioles love Mayo and very much feel he is legit.

Then explain the way the have handled him and the moves they made this offseason? The only sign I get they think he is legit is that they didn't trade him. Which is certainly a signal but still.

[BobPhelan]

Then explain the way the have handled him and the moves they made this offseason? The only sign I get they think he is legit is that they didn't trade him. Which is certainly a signal but still.

Since becoming competitive they make rookies force the issue. Example of prioritizing winning over handing players playing time.

[russsnyder]

Since becoming competitive they make rookies force the issue. Example of prioritizing winning over handing players playing time.

Competition makes everyone better

Cowser forced the issue last year, here's hoping that Mayo can do the same.

[RichardZ]

If they didn't think he was legit they'd have made him the centerpiece for Crochet.

Although he’s rated higher than Teel by most, I’m not sure the WS would have taken a defensively limited player as the centerpiece.

[RichardZ]

Good stuff. I'd like to see somebody really lay out what they think is going on with Mayo. The moves the O's have been making don't give me a warm fuzzy they think he's legit.

I think the O’s were toying with the idea of replacing Mountcastle with Mayo but:

1. Mayo had a rough debut and hasn’t established himself as a viable ML 1B yet.

2. Mayo’s plate discipline was looking elite in the 2nd half of 2023. It backslid a bit last year so they may want to see some finishing touches there.

3. All of the moves this year were geared towards improvement against LHP. That’s a strength of Mountcastle.

4. Holliday and Kjerstad are trying to establish themselves this year. Trying to break 3 guys in is riskier.

5. Elias loves depth. Having no open spots and Mayo at AAA makes Elias sleep like a baby.

6. Next year O’Hearn is gone, O’Neill might be gone, and Mountcastle is in his last year of arbitration and gets a little more expensive. Injury or bad performance might give Mayo his shot this year. As long as he keeps improving he’s in their future plans.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

I think the O’s were toying with the idea of replacing Mountcastle with Mayo but:

1. Mayo had a rough debut and hasn’t established himself as a viable ML 1B yet.

2. Mayo’s plate discipline was looking elite in the 2nd half of 2023. It backslid a bit last year so they may want to see some finishing touches there.

3. All of the moves this year were geared towards improvement against LHP. That’s a strength of Mountcastle.

4. Holliday and Kjerstad are trying to establish themselves this year. Trying to break 3 guys in is riskier.

5. Elias loves depth. Having no open spots and Mayo at AAA makes Elias sleep like a baby.

6. Next year O’Hearn is gone, O’Neill might be gone, and Mountcastle is in his last year of arbitration and gets a little more expensive. Injury or bad performance might give Mayo his shot this year. As long as he keeps improving he’s in their future plans.

All good points. Except I HATE #5. Its fine when you have a potential stud in the minors but I'd rather use that same stud to make the current ML roster better. Whether that's playing him or in Mayo's case trading him to fill the roster in another area. Maybe they tried to get a TOR SP with Mayo who knows.