2025-2026 Offseason Discussion Thread

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Id be willing to non-tender Irvin for that much. Add it to the pool for getting a starting pitcher in free agency

the mlbtr estimate locks in 10+ million on LGJr and Irvin. It's almost exact what Lowe got in arb last year. You would like a better outcome than NatsLowe 2025, but you wouldn't mind a guy who hithis averages prior to 2025 filling in somewhere

[blue911]

What would Rutschman cost?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

What would Rutschman cost?

Crews?

[IanRubbish]

What would Rutschman cost?

He's only got two years left before FA, but is not Boras. 

The Ruiz situation will be a good indication of Toboni's new approach vs. the Lerners old approach.  If it's more play the contract and allowing him to start, it'll be a clear sign that Toboni is too weak politically to bring in real change.

[varoadking]

Crews?

DO IT!

[Slateman]

Crews?

Orioles would laugh all the way. Rutschman is now a depreciating asset. Hes had back to back years with middling plate performance. 

Unless you think you can get some magical resurgence from Rutschman, I dont see what he does that Millas cant. Don't see a reason to pay 12 million for Rutschman/Ruiz when we can get the same for half.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Eh, I saw in mlbtr that they were looking for a righty OF as a general matter, so that means Young, Crews, or Franklin. I am a Crews fan, and I think it's sell low.

[imref]

We aren’t trading crews.

[Slateman]

There won't be a lot of major changes to the MLB roster. Toboni will be too busy revamping the minor league system. Unless we're shedding payroll, ain't gonna be a lot happening.

Gonna take 3+ years before this team is remotely competitive again.

[varoadking]

We aren’t trading crews.

One can dream...

[blue911]

Orioles would laugh all the way. Rutschman is now a depreciating asset. Hes had back to back years with middling plate performance. 

Unless you think you can get some magical resurgence from Rutschman, I dont see what he does that Millas cant. Don't see a reason to pay 12 million for Rutschman/Ruiz when we can get the same for half.

Welp. So much for an easy answer for catching

[nobleisthyname]

The team just cannot go with the 2 worst MIs on defense next year.

And arguably the worst defensive catcher. Having an elite CF does not make up for all of the other up the middle positions being so bad. It's awful what this team subjects its pitchers to defensively. Makes for a very unsatisfying viewing experience as well beyond what shows up in the box score.

So yes, start Nuñez and bring in someone from outside the org for catcher to split time with Millas. I'd be fine with just DFA'ing Ruiz at this point.

[IanRubbish]

I'd be fine with just DFA'ing Ruiz at this point.

No baseball reason to keep him around, but he's owed 35 million Lernerbucks.   

[Slateman]

Welp. So much for an easy answer for catching

I also don't think the Orioles are interested in trading him just yet. It would be selling low and Basallo probably ends up at 1B or DH.

[Slateman]

And arguably the worst defensive catcher. Having an elite CF does not make up for all of the other up the middle positions being so bad. It's awful what this team subjects its pitchers to defensively. Makes for a very unsatisfying viewing experience as well beyond what shows up in the box score.

So yes, start Nuñez and bring in someone from outside the org for catcher to split time with Millas. I'd be fine with just DFA'ing Ruiz at this point.

Eh, I still want see what Ruiz' bat looks like with a decent coaching staff. Its show flashes and the one thing he did all throughout the minors was rake. With ABS being implemented and stolen bases being largely impact less, catchers will need to hit more.

We don't lose anything in a lost season by playing Ruiz. He isn't really blocking a future piece. And with his concussions, we would have more of excuse than ever to split his playing time

[Slateman]

I'd hit up the Giants and see what they'd want to give up for Jacob Young. With Devers and Eldridge taking up 1B and DH, and Yaz gone, they need to improve their outfield defense. Ramos was terrible in LF, but not much can be done about that. Jung Hoo Lee did not look great in CF, but he has the arm to play RF and they could slide him over there.

Jacob Yong for Blake Tidwell and Braxton Roxby?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I agree there should be a bit of a market for Young. A team might look at him and say his average has bottomed out and a better baserunning coach might make him a positive steal threat.

[IanRubbish]

Jacob Yong for Blake Tidwell and Braxton Roxby?

Keep dreaming.

Young is a late inning defensive replacement, there's not much market for him. 

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Keep dreaming.

Young is a late inning defensive replacement, there's not much market for him. 

he can be a short side of a CF platoon for a team with hitters in the middle infield

[imref]

Randy Knorr was one of the cuts today.

[varoadking]

Randy Knorr was one of the cuts today.

They all need to go...this organization stinks like week old fish...

[IanRubbish]

Eh, I still want see what Ruiz' bat looks like with a decent coaching staff.

He's always had very low hard hit rates and EVs.  His spray chart looks like he's hitting a wiffleball, very few hits within 100 feet of the fence.  Could a new hitting coach help? A little perhaps, but he's always going to be a soft contact hitter.

We need to see some kind of progress next year, and he cannot be the everyday catcher for that to happen.  Any other team would DFA him, but let's hope he's nothing more than a backup next year.  He absolutely cannot DH like Davey had him do a few times, that kind of absurdity has to stop.

[Slateman]

he can be a short side of a CF platoon for a team with hitters in the middle infield

2.5 - 3 WAR player (and could be better with a competent coaching staff). That's an improvement over at least two playoff teams center field options

[Slateman]

Randy Knorr was one of the cuts today.

It stinks, but there has been no catching improvement in the last three years. So it kinda makes sense that he was one of the cuts.

[imref]

Reed Dunn and Debartolo appear to be the only survivors. Dunn led the scouting department.