The Leeches of Baltimore (2026)

[IanRubbish]

Rubenstein says "O's are open for business" when it comes to extensions.

Meanwhile, Mini Me loses his mind when he sees what it costs to clean the Screech costume.  Can't believe the Leeches have better ownership than the Nats now. 

https://www.mlb.com/news/orioles-open-to-more-extensions-after-shane-baz-deal

[KnorrForYourMoney]

What has happened to the ownership of these two teams over the course of this decade is what, in pro wrestling, we refer to as a "double turn." In the course of a match, the heel (bad guy) becomes the babyface (good guy) while the babyface becomes the heel. Hate to see it.

[imref]

You can’t see Rubenstein.

[imref]

Been interesting seeing O's writers railing against the team, which currently sits in last place in the AL East at 42-50, despite making some big FA moves in the offseason.

One big reason for the team's futility is its recent first round draft picks, which even Mike Rizzo could criticize:
- 2024: Vance Honeycutt - Currently hitting .185 in A+ at age 23
- 2023: Enrique Bradfield - .258 in AAA at age 24
- 2022: Jackson Holliday (#1 overall) - .183 with a .647 OPS in the majors this year
- 2021: Colton Cowser (#5 overall) - .223 / .678 in the majors this year
- 2020: Heston Kjrestad (#2 overall) - .284 / .743 at age 27 in AAA after hitting .192 / .567 in 54 games in the majors in 2025
- 2019: Adley Rutschman (#1 overall)  - Solid if unspectacular major leaguer

On the positive side, 2025 first round pick Ike Irish is playing well at A+ as a 22 year old.

[Slateman]

Been interesting seeing O's writers railing against the team, which currently sits in last place in the AL East at 42-50, despite making some big FA moves in the offseason.

One big reason for the team's futility is its recent first round draft picks, which even Mike Rizzo could criticize:
- 2024: Vance Honeycutt - Currently hitting .185 in A+ at age 23
- 2023: Enrique Bradfield - .258 in AAA at age 24
- 2022: Jackson Holliday (#1 overall) - .183 with a .647 OPS in the majors this year
- 2021: Colton Cowser (#5 overall) - .223 / .678 in the majors this year
- 2020: Heston Kjrestad (#2 overall) - .284 / .743 at age 27 in AAA after hitting .192 / .567 in 54 games in the majors in 2025
- 2019: Adley Rutschman (#1 overall)  - Solid if unspectacular major leaguer

On the positive side, 2025 first round pick Ike Irish is playing well at A+ as a 22 year old.

Eh, I feel like that's a somewhat unfair assessment of  Adley Rutschman. He has the second highest fWAR amongst catchers since he entered the league in 2022

[imref]

Eh, I feel like that's a somewhat unfair assessment of  Adley Rutschman. He has the second highest fWAR amongst catchers since he entered the league in 2022

While 2026 has a bounce back year, he had been on a downward slope due to injuries and once again there is chatter about the Orioles trading him. He's a FA after the 27 season.

WAR/OPS:
2022: 5.4 / .806
2023: 4.3 / .809
2024: 3.1 / .709
2025: 1.9 / .673
2026: 1.6 / .763