216 replies to this topic

[BSLChrisStoner]

Entering the off-season: 

 

 

SP:  Bradish, Rogers, Kremer, Wells

Bullpen: 
https://forum.baltim...-rest-of-25-26/

 

C: Rutschman
1st: Mayo

2nd: Holliday

SS: Henderson
3rd: Westburg
LF: Beavers
CF: Cowser
RF: O'Neill

DH: Basallo 

 

Bench: J. Jackson, Mountcastle, Mateo, A. Jackson

 

 

Financial Outlook For '26:
https://forum.baltim...outlook-for-26/

 

Potential FA's:
https://forum.baltim...fas-after-2025/

 

 

 

Priorities, Questions: 

 

1) Rotation help.  Most would want at-least one front end starter, and a mid-rotation type.  

 

2) One or two high-leverage relievers.  A couple of guys you'd go into the year, realistically expecting them to perform. 

 

3) If going with Cowser in CF and expecting a rebound there, probably still want a platoon bat. 

 

4) People might not like it, but TON seems like he has to be penciled into starting in RF to begin '26. Maybe you get 100 productive games.  What's the plan for when he's out? I guess someone might argue for trading Mayo, and using TON more at 1st / DH. 

 

5) If you want to add a bat somewhere, what's the plan? You'd have to free up space somewhere.  Cowser had a miserable year. I do expect he rebounds, but even if he doesn't... you'd be giving him away now.  Mayo came on some in September, and his years of control are enticing, even if you have questions there. Seems to me that what the offense really needs is Adley and Cowser rebounding...  health from Westburg...  MVP Gunnar vs. '25 Gunnar....Holliday taking another step.. Basallo regularly producing...   TON giving an approximation of his '24 season. 

 

6) Manager?  Coaches? 

 

7) If Rodriguez is healthy next Spring, would you keep him as a starter, or consider moving him to the pen?

[weird-O]

I have to laugh at the idea of trading Mayo, for the sole purpose of attempting to limit the damage TON will inflict defensively. I totally get the reasoning, but the execution doesn't make sense to me. Wouldn't Mountcastle be a more logical sacrifice, for the alter of the muscle-bound clown?  

[BSLChrisStoner]

I have to laugh at the idea of trading Mayo, for the sole purpose of attempting to limit the damage TON will inflict defensively. I totally get the reasoning, but the execution doesn't make sense to me. Wouldn't Mountcastle be a more logical sacrifice, for the alter of the muscle-bound clown?  

Well, if you were trading Mayo, the primary reason would be using his value (as a piece) to bring back pitching... but the ancillary benefit would be freeing up room to get TON out of the OF if so desired (and you wanted to add an OF bat).

TON has previously been regarded as a plus fielder. 

I think he can be at-least adequate in RF at OPACY.

 

The bigger thing with him, is that he has to give you the 110 games you'd hope to get from him, and he has to produce offensively.

 

A '24 TON season vs. what he did this year would be significant. 

 

[weird-O]

I can see the logic of trading Mayo for pitching. I'd rather not, because it sort of creates another problem for '27. Who plays 1B? TON isn't the answer. I'd sooner give him the DH job, and hope for the best. Maybe removing defensive duties will reduce injuries. As an aside, it still boggles my mind that he was once a plus defender. 

[bmore_ken]

I have to laugh at the idea of trading Mayo, for the sole purpose of attempting to limit the damage TON will inflict defensively. I totally get the reasoning, but the execution doesn't make sense to me. Wouldn't Mountcastle be a more logical sacrifice, for the alter of the muscle-bound clown?  

I'm laughing at #1 like I have for the last decade or so. 

[BaltBird 24]

Get competent offensive coaches in here! No more Asche. No more promoting from within. There's too much talent on that side of the roster to be as consistently inconsistent as they are.

[NewMarketSean]

Move on from Cowser.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

They need another RH hitter that can hit RH pitching. An everyday player. Westy is one. Mayo hasnt proven anything yet. TON cant stay healthy enough to trust and hes always been better against LHP.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

I agree they could use another RH hitter. But not until they correct the log jam at 1B/DH. There are not enough at bats to have Rutschman, Basallo, Mayo, and TON all being used at some combo of 1B and DH. And if you keep Cowser but bring in a platoon bat thats another roster spot. 

 

We've  been pushing this decision down the road but its not gotten any better. Sure Mountcastle can be let go but that just swaps his spot for Basallo.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

ONeill will play OF a good bit. DH as well, but more games in OF.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

ONeill will play OF a good bit. DH as well, but more games in OF.

Ok yeah that fixes everything....loo

[Slidemaster]

Words can't properly express how little I ever want to see TON in an O's uniform again.

Fortunately with how often he gets hurt, I likely won't have to endure it much.

[BSLMikeLowe]

I expect to be underwhelmed.

[Slidemaster]

I expect to be underwhelmed.

I'd say that's a veritable certainty.

[weird-O]

He's gonna be here, we know that. It will be much easier to tolerate his defense, if he hits. If he can't hit, I'd just as soon see him on the IL for 108 games again. Cold hearted? Maybe. But I'm an O's fan, not a TON fan. If you can't contribute to a winning season, step aside and make room for someone who can.

[Mike B]

Tyler O'Neill should be counted on as much as Grayson Rodriquez.  He is terrible in the outfield and not any good at the plate.  I think if he changed his workout regiment to make himself more agile and lighter, it may help but  I wouldn't count on it.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Tyler O'Neill should be counted on as much as Grayson Rodriquez.  He is terrible in the outfield and not any good at the plate.  I think if he changed his workout regiment to make himself more agile and lighter, it may help but  I wouldn't count on it.

He's a year removed from 49 xbh's in 411 ab's. 

He can't stay on the field, but he's shown an ability to hit. 

 

By the eye test and any metric; his defense was abysmal this year. 

Given that he just turned 30, and he's previously been regarded as a good fielder... I'd like to think that it's not implausible for him to not be a completely liability. 

[BSLJamieSieck]

Elias' presser today was less than inspiring. It feels like Elias perpetual goal is to be an 87ish win team that can qualify for a spot in October and then, hopefully, get hot for 3 weeks or so. In other words, he doesn't strike me as being remotely interested in building a roster that can truly compete for a championship. He seems to really believe in the randomness of baseball.

 

Nevertheless, it's pretty incredible how far the organization has fallen over the last 18 months or so.

[BSLMikeLowe]

Elias' presser today was less than inspiring. It feels like Elias perpetual goal is to be an 87ish win team that can qualify for a spot in October and then, hopefully, get hot for 3 weeks or so. In other words, he doesn't strike me as being remotely interested in building a roster that can truly compete for a championship. He seems to really believe in the randomness of baseball.

 

Nevertheless, it's pretty incredible how far the organization has fallen over the last 18 months or so.

 

Saw quotes that he wants to win the AL East. That's going to take more than 87 wins. But of course his words and his actions often don't sync up.

[Mike B]

He's a year removed from 49 xbh's in 411 ab's. 

He can't stay on the field, but he's shown an ability to hit. 

 

By the eye test and any metric; his defense was abysmal this year. 

Given that he just turned 30, and he's previously been regarded as a good fielder... I'd like to think that it's not implausible for him to not be a completely liability. 

I wish I could agree, the guy has averaged 83 games played the last 4 years.  I would assume, he follows a training regiment that his father used.  His Dad Terry was Mr. Canada but Tyler is a baseball player.  The man looks like the incredible Hulk.  I went back 4 or 5 years when he was playing well and won a GG and it doesn't look like the same guy.  Maybe he recovers at the plate, but we can not play him in the outfield.  He is terrible out there.