3523 replies to this topic

[weird-O]

If you say so.  There's been some sloppy fielding and base running.

I mentioned this before. If players go through their baseball lives, not caring about defense and other skills that aren't hitting, why would they start caring now? And what can anyone reasonably expect to improve at this point?

It's a systemic problem. Elias is all about the offense. If a player accidentally knows how to turn a double play, hit the cut off man, or steal bases, Great!!! But he doesn't look for those skills.  

[Mackus]

If you say so. There's been some sloppy fielding and base running.

Yes, some. Not particularly more or less than most teams. Last year it was pervasive and way worse than the amount of self-inflicted fundamental or focus-baded mistakes made by their opponents.

[russsnyder]

Yes, some. Not particularly more or less than most teams. Last year it was pervasive and way worse than the amount of self-inflicted fundamental or focus-baded mistakes made by their opponents.

I'll say that it's a bit better.

However, one of the main culprits of bad base running & quitting ( O'Neill) has been injured. Further, Holliday (the awful base runner) hasn't played at all.

I think jury is still out.

[Mackus]

I'll say that it's a bit better.

However, one of the main culprits of bad base running & quitting ( O'Neill) has been injured. Further, Holliday (the awful base runner) hasn't played at all.

I think jury is still out.

 

Fair point, especially regarding Holliday.  He was responsible for a significant portion of the head-scratching plays last year.  

 

I don't expect that Albernaz has been able to teach him how to not be a bonehead in the couple days they had before his broken hand.  I am hopeful, but not really with any substantiating reason, that Alby will be less accepting of fundamental errors and do more to hold Holliday (and others) accountable which over time will lead to cleaner play.  Certainly there cannot be any less accountability than with how we saw Hyde handle players.

[Nigel Tufnel]

Adley's back.  Huff DFA.

[85Knight]

I'll say that it's a bit better.

However, one of the main culprits of bad base running & quitting ( O'Neill) has been injured. Further, Holliday (the awful base runner) hasn't played at all.

I think jury is still out.

It looks worse to me but I guess we'll see how it plays out.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Adley's back.  Huff DFA.

Good news

[DuffMan]

Adley's back.  Huff DFA.

He was doing well before the injury, fully prepared for a slump now that he is back.

[weird-O]

He was doing well before the injury, fully prepared for a slump now that he is back.

I try to stave off those dark thoughts, but this one did creep in.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Just thought I'd toss this collection of my views overall on the approach Elias has made the last 2 years to turn the O's into a playoff caliber team.  This list isn't exhaustive and doesn't include some lesser pieces (especially bullpen arms) but the main moves to really bolster the club.

 

SP

Morton signed - Fail

Sugano signed - Fail

Eflin signed - Fail

Baz signed and extended - Jury out but not calling this a good move

Bassitt signed - Fail

 

Field Players 

O'Neil signed - Fail

Ward trade - Ward has been good. Hard to know if this rental will be worth giving up on GRod

Basallo extended - Got to think this is good.

Alonso - I think this was a fine signing even though so far he stinks. The issue I had from day one was that we had bigger needs than to sign another 1B/DH. 

Alexander signed - Fail (although this was driven by the Holliday and Westbury news)

Tavares signed - Good 

Ramon Laureano signed - Good move then traded him and O'Hearn (two of our best hitters) away for some prospects. 

 

RP

Helsley signed - Mixed bag.

Kitteredge signed - Can't tell he's hurt again but probably good.

 

I can't fathom who anybody can think Elias has done an acceptable job.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

The roster is a failure all over. Bitching about additions in FA or through trade is kinda pointless. The guys already here arent good enough anyway

[BSLSteveBirrer]

The roster is a failure all over. Bitching about additions in FA or through trade is kinda pointless. The guys already here arent good enough anyway

Disagree. Its the GMs JOB to make the team better. 

[Mackus]

Any update on Westburg's throwing program?  He's about a month away from being eligible to return from the 60-day IL.  If he isn't doing some significant stuff in the next week or so and ready for a rehab assignment shortly after that, then it's going to be pretty hard to envision him avoiding surgery on the UCL.

[ivanbalt]

Just thought I'd toss this collection of my views overall on the approach Elias has made the last 2 years to turn the O's into a playoff caliber team.  This list isn't exhaustive and doesn't include some lesser pieces (especially bullpen arms) but the main moves to really bolster the club.

 

SP

Morton signed - Fail

Sugano signed - Fail

Eflin signed - Fail

Baz signed and extended - Jury out but not calling this a good move

Bassitt signed - Fail

 

Field Players 

O'Neil signed - Fail

Ward trade - Ward has been good. Hard to know if this rental will be worth giving up on GRod

Basallo extended - Got to think this is good.

Alonso - I think this was a fine signing even though so far he stinks. The issue I had from day one was that we had bigger needs than to sign another 1B/DH. 

Alexander signed - Fail (although this was driven by the Holliday and Westbury news)

Tavares signed - Good 

Ramon Laureano signed - Good move then traded him and O'Hearn (two of our best hitters) away for some prospects. 

 

RP

Helsley signed - Mixed bag.

Kitteredge signed - Can't tell he's hurt again but probably good.

 

I can't fathom who anybody can think Elias has done an acceptable job.

Drafting has been pretty bad too in terms of players succeeding beyond AAA.

[weird-O]

Drafting has been pretty bad too in terms of players succeeding beyond AAA.

Elias should move everyone possible down to Norfolk, and go for an International League championship. It's the only championship team he's ever going to build.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

He already won one at AAA

[weird-O]

He already won one at AAA

The guy as a wizard in the minors. But he's not MLB GM material.

[NewMarketSean]

Any update on Westburg's throwing program?  He's about a month away from being eligible to return from the 60-day IL.  If he isn't doing some significant stuff in the next week or so and ready for a rehab assignment shortly after that, then it's going to be pretty hard to envision him avoiding surgery on the UCL.

 

Looked for the gif from American Pie where Oz runs off to perform in the choir competition and Stiffler says "I don't think he's coming back!" Couldn't find one I could link in this post.

[Mackus]

I think Elias has many big picture positives but I haven't liked his risk/reward posture although gauging on his personal success rate on what would be considered big moves, I can kind of see why he prefers to stay away from those.

 

I'd be very interested in him actually doing the President job and hiring a GM with autonomy to do the GM job.  My guess is he continues doing both roles or hires a GM who is more of a figurehead implementing Elias' very specific vision.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Again, I think its fair to think the league adjusted and we havent or cant adjust back. The minors are stale. If these things lead to a new person in change then so be it. But to act like half the season in 2022, 2023 and 2024 didnt happen is bullshit. The org did a number of things right for a stretch. To say they were the envy of 20 or 25 franchises is not an exaggeration.