90 replies to this topic

[weird-O]

Since 2008, the Rays have had 9 different 90 wins seasons.
They've been to the WS twice. 

That's a good amount of success. 

Maybe the O's could have more, given that they have the advantage of being able to spend middle of the pack.
 

I totally understand. And I have great respect for what they do. But they use that model, because it's the only option they have. It stands as a contrast to not trying to compete. AKA the Pirates model, which is the one the O's previous owners employed. We shouldn't have to settle for either.    

[Mackus]

I don't know why Kelly recently signing makes him unavailable.

 

I don't think they're even allowed to trade him until June 15th unless he agrees.  I can't find the rule in the CBA but that's the google result I'm seeing.

 

Can you think of a single guy who signed a free agent deal and then was traded before Spring Training begins in the history of free agency?  I can't recall it ever happening.

[BSLChrisStoner]

I don't think they're even allowed to trade him until June 15th unless he agrees.  I can't find the rule in the CBA but that's the google result I'm seeing.

 

Can you think of a single guy who signed a free agent deal and then was traded before Spring Training begins in the history of free agency?  I can't recall it ever happening.

 

What I just googled said a signed MLB FA was immediately eligible to be traded.   

No, I can't think of a single time that has happened. 

 

[Mackus]

What I just googled said a signed MLB FA was immediately eligible to be traded.   

No, I can't think of a single time that has happened. 

 

Think I found it.  They can't do it without his approval.  He was playing there, traded at the deadline, and re-signed.  So seems like he likes Arizona, but maybe he'd approve.

 

Section B, 6, a:

 

(6) Miscellaneous (a) Any Club signing a contract with a Player under this Article XX(B) after the expiration of the Quiet Period described in subsec109 tion 2(b) above may not assign his contract until after the next June 15. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, such contract may be assigned for other Player contracts and/or cash consideration of $50,000 or less prior to the next June 16 if the Player gives written consent to such transaction.

https://www.mlbplaye...7de62484da5.pdf

[BSLSteveBirrer]

They would still not be as favored as Boston or Toronto.

And they'd have that group for a single year until they trade Gunnar and Bradish. You willing to part with our top 10 prospects including 8 years of Basallo for that?

I actually said in this case I'd think about riding the train to the end. Keep them till they are just
FAs.

[dude]

The Twins have very publicly said Ryan was not on the market all offseason amidst lots of questions on the topic.  I do think there is some hope that maybe he would be with their President shakeup, so worth checking in again, but also doesn't seem likely to be available.

 

Correct on all and if you read any of the stuff that's been public on the Twins, it appears Tom Pohlad wants to be more involved with the decision making and wants to be more aggressive towards winning.  Of course, they've also apparently limited the resources available in recent years, so who knows.

 

Maybe that's all smoke and the rift is more political or something like that, but what we know (and what they've already done) doesn't indicate a sell-off.

[mikezpen]

Gore and Valdez both went in moves and for offers Orioles could have easily matched or beaten if they were truly interested in bulking up the starting rotation beyond what they've done to date.

 

Same for the bullpen.

 

I believe THEY believe that they have the resources within the organization necessary to fill in gaps that arise. Or, they are confident they have the resources to trade later on if they need to.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Gore and Valdez both went in moves and for offers Orioles could have easily matched or beaten if they were truly interested in bulking up the starting rotation beyond what they've done to date.

 

Same for the bullpen.

 

I believe THEY believe that they have the resources within the organization necessary to fill in gaps that arise. Or, they are confident they have the resources to trade later on if they need to.

I think this is spot on. I don't agree they have the SP they need but I think they do think that way.

[dude]

There's no real point imo of keeping him.   You can say you have him... but you aren't contending in '26, and '27... so you are hoping it comes together in '28 when he has 2 years left of control..  Better off cashing in now, and getting back a huge return. JMO. 

 

Man....4 pages of Pirates discussion without me.  Excellent.  I'm going to agree with most of the other comments.  

 

The point in keeping him is to contend and while you're focused on (I'd argue the phony) narrative of rebuilding as someone else pointed out, this isn't just about competing, it's about maintaining any level of accountability with the fan-base.  Trading Skenes doesn't answer any questions because they can answer nearly every question with Skenes still on the roster.

 

....so instead of being aspirational about why a team that is clearly trying to be more serious about winning in 2026 should trade their best player, why not lean the other direction?  If Cherington asked recently signed Ryan O'hearn to give him the name of an undervalued bat they could acquire....who do you think he'd share?  The Pirates roster today doesn't have a RHed batter that you could project >10 HR.  If he asked RO his opinion on Kjerstad....what do you think he's say because the Pirates could take a risk on a LHed RF bat.  Any names you think RO would share about 3B?  The Pirates are kicking around who their 5th starter is....would they rather buy low on someone like Povich and leave Hunter Barco at AAA for 2026?

 

Sending Mountcastle, Kjerstad and Povich (plus whatever) to the Pirates would clear some roster crunch for the Orioles and would actually add to the performance, opportunity and depth of the current Pirates roster.

 

...and if I could add one guy to the Orioles MiL from the Pirates system, I'd target SS Wyatt Sanford.

 

I'm an Elias fan. 

 

...and that's fine, but hasn't he proven to be ineffective (in year 8) at the approach you are advocating for?  Shouldn't your argument be that you like Elias as the PBO and the Orioles probably need to get a new GM for the ML roster/trades, etc?  Leave Elias working internal ops with Player Development, scouting, draft, IFA, and analytics.... 

[dude]

Pirates sign a 35 year old Marcell Ozuna to a 12M contract and he hasn't played the field since 2022. 

 

In 36 career games at PNC (156 PAs), he has 1 HR and a .605 OPS.  0-3 vs Skenes.  

[BaltBird 24]

Ozuna's .750 OPS still would've been good for 2nd on the Pirates anemic offense last year. It's a very 2011 type Orioles move, however. They're a team that desperately needed some offense.