Nationals @ Orioles, Game 1

[Natsinpwc]

Puig is available.  Good team player like AE.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Isn't that what every team wants to do?  Doesn't seem they have enough prospects to do that.  Best thing might be to just tank after this year. 

What I mean is Robles taking a step up like his tools and scouts say he should, Kieboom hitting like his projections with ok d, and Garcia being an average mlb starter. Then we'd have mlb minimum staters in 4 positions (cf, lf, 2b, 3b), which you need when your 3 top sp are breaking the bank

[Natsinpwc]

What I mean is Robles taking a step up like his tools and scouts say he should, Kieboom hitting like his projections with ok d, and Garcia being an average mlb starter. Then we'd have mlb minimum staters in 4 positions (cf, lf, 2b, 3b), which you need when your 3 top sp are breaking the bank

Ok, but it doesn't usually work out that way. 

Isn't max's contract up after next year?

[sixthree175]

Cespedes, Springer, and Brantley are all FAs.  Plus there's the trade market.

Springer or Brantley -- yes.  Cespedes -- no frickin' way.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Springer or Brantley -- yes.  Cespedes -- no frickin' way.

wait. We need good barbecue in town. Cespedes roasts a mean pig.

[sixthree175]

Ok, but it doesn't usually work out that way. 

Isn't max's contract up after next year?

Yes about Max.  He'll likely sign an extension sometime next year, although he will be a #5 in 2022. 

[Natsinpwc]

Yes about Max.  He'll likely sign an extension sometime next year, although he will be a #5 in 2022.

That's how you ensure that you can't compete anymore.  Pay an aging pitcher too much. 

[Natsinpwc]

Why not just spend big and sign JTR?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

What is the deal with the game? Rain delay or ppd?

[Slateman]

Springer or Brantley -- yes.  Cespedes -- no frickin' way.

Springer can only play well while cheating and will demand a long term deal with high AAV, making it impossible to pay Soto and Turner.

Brantley has 58 terrible innings in RF. And he'll be 34.

[Dave in Fairfax]

Game's about to start.

[zimm_da_kid]

Hes a 113 wRC+ the last two seasons. And he was a 2+ WAR player last season. 10.5 million is a good deal considering the team has no OF prospects

Baseball reference war has him at 1.5 for last year.  Also 113 we+ isn't great for a winning clubs RF, especially when we're relatively devoid of power

[Natsinpwc]

Springer can only play well while cheating and will demand a long term deal with high AAV, making it impossible to pay Soto and Turner.

Brantley has 58 terrible innings in RF. And he'll be 34.

So sign JTR and get offense from the catcher position. You will have to overpay but he can be moved to 1B or even OF later on.  Would rather overpay for him than Springer.

[Natsinpwc]

Baseball reference war has him at 1.5 for last year.  Also 113 we+ isn't great for a winning clubs RF, especially when we're relatively devoid of power

He’s Spanky and he came through in the clutch time after time down the stretch last year and in the playoffs.
You best leave him alone. 

[Natsinpwc]

Game's about to start.

There’s a game? We are too focused on next year.

[Air Desmond]

Turner and Eaton are so unimposing. Turner is especially disappointing. The guy doesn’t even steal bases anymore.

[Dave in Fairfax]

There’s a game? We are too focused on next year.

1-2-3 top of the first with two strikeouts.

In the meantime, the O's announcers while talking around the league mentioned that Tampa Bay scored 34 runs in three games in Boston. Wouldn't that be nice to see from this offense?

[zimm_da_kid]

He’s Spanky and he came through in the clutch time after time down the stretch last year and in the playoffs.
You best leave him alone. 

I best look at the team critically and see where we can save money to reallocate towards better/better fitting players.

Heck if he has as much value as you guys think, maybe we could package him with other pieces for something actually helpful.

I like Eaton.  I really do.  But if Garcia's in the bigs now, then obviously, the FO thinks he's ready.  He has 2 hole hitter written all over him and I don't want Eaton A CORNER freakING OUTFIELDER batting low in the lineup as it doesn't make sense for us.  If Garcia is in the 2 hole, we need an RF that can mash and bat either in front of or behind Soto (cough cough Jorge Soler cough cough)

[Natsinpwc]

I best look at the team critically and see where we can save money to reallocate towards better/better fitting players.

Heck if he has as much value as you guys think, maybe we could package him with other pieces for something actually helpful.

I like Eaton.  I really do.  But if Garcia's in the bigs now, then obviously, the FO thinks he's ready.  He has 2 hole hitter written all over him and I don't want Eaton A CORNER freakING OUTFIELDER batting low in the lineup as it doesn't make sense for us.  If Garcia is in the 2 hole, we need an RF that can mash and bat either in front of or behind Soto (cough cough Jorge Soler cough cough)

The guy hasn’t even played a major league game and you are plugging him into the two hole.   

[Dave in Fairfax]

Turner and Eaton are so unimposing. Turner is especially disappointing. The guy doesn’t even steal bases anymore.

Not sure what the deal is with Turner. From what I have seen, he is hustling out the box and has beat out throws to first several times. So speed is not an issue. But he's only attempted three steals and has been caught all three times. Is he averse to sliding because of the finger or is it a managerial-level issue?

[Dave in Fairfax]

That was a high home-run.

[sixthree175]

1-2-3 top of the first with two strikeouts.

In the meantime, the O's announcers while talking around the league mentioned that Tampa Bay scored 34 runs in three games in Boston. Wouldn't that be nice to see from this offense?

I like that new good ol' boy O's analyst.  He knows the game and isn't annoying like Santangelo.

[zimm_da_kid]

The guy hasn’t even played a major league game and you are plugging him into the two hole.   

We'll compare Garcia and Eaton after the season.  Don't worry Natsinpwc.  Don't you worry

[Five Banners]

Shut him down.

[Slateman]

Just get him. Absolutely freaking stupid to let him pitch