Steve
@shwisner.bsky.social
I torture myself on a daily basis by watching the 2025 Orioles try to play baseball ⚾
I agree (assuming at least Mountcastle is also moved if not Mayo as well) but I doubt they deal O'Neill. I do think they need a RHH CF to counter Cowser but I think they are willing ride with Cowser in CF and Taveras as the backup.
January 2, 2026 at 11:33 PM
I agree (assuming at least Mountcastle is also moved if not Mayo as well) but I doubt they deal O'Neill. I do think they need a RHH CF to counter Cowser but I think they are willing ride with Cowser in CF and Taveras as the backup.
Maybe. It depends if he cares more for money and security or playing time. I do think there could be a 2 year deal out there for him with more playing time. MLB Trade Rumors projected a 2/$26M deal for him. Obviously that could be wrong.
January 2, 2026 at 11:28 PM
Maybe. It depends if he cares more for money and security or playing time. I do think there could be a 2 year deal out there for him with more playing time. MLB Trade Rumors projected a 2/$26M deal for him. Obviously that could be wrong.
I like Bader, but if he's basically a weak side platoon guy I'm not sure he comes here over somewhere he has a clearer path to more playing time...and I'm not sure the Orioles give him the contract he would want given that role.
January 2, 2026 at 11:21 PM
I like Bader, but if he's basically a weak side platoon guy I'm not sure he comes here over somewhere he has a clearer path to more playing time...and I'm not sure the Orioles give him the contract he would want given that role.
Adley needs to look like 2023 Adley to hit second. If he is back to that high OBP form, I'm onboard. I'm not a fan of Alonso, Ward and Westburg back to back to back though as that forces 5 straight lefties (6-1). That said, I do like Gunnar back in the leadoff spot.
January 1, 2026 at 11:28 PM
Adley needs to look like 2023 Adley to hit second. If he is back to that high OBP form, I'm onboard. I'm not a fan of Alonso, Ward and Westburg back to back to back though as that forces 5 straight lefties (6-1). That said, I do like Gunnar back in the leadoff spot.
Worst case, he flops and they paid nearly $28-31M year one and they're on the hook for $36M-$42M more. It's medium high risk with limited reward whereas a 6/$120M is higher risk but MUCH higher reward if he's a top end guy.
January 1, 2026 at 9:41 PM
Worst case, he flops and they paid nearly $28-31M year one and they're on the hook for $36M-$42M more. It's medium high risk with limited reward whereas a 6/$120M is higher risk but MUCH higher reward if he's a top end guy.
I would've given 5/$100M & considered 6/$120M. There may have been teams to give that...but I wouldn't be in on the deal the Astros gave. If he pitches like an 1 or 2, he opts out next year and the Astros just paid nearly $31M (including posting) for 1 year and he's gone. That's best case scenario.
January 1, 2026 at 9:39 PM
I would've given 5/$100M & considered 6/$120M. There may have been teams to give that...but I wouldn't be in on the deal the Astros gave. If he pitches like an 1 or 2, he opts out next year and the Astros just paid nearly $31M (including posting) for 1 year and he's gone. That's best case scenario.
He was supposed to start a throwing program back in October and when they announced the signing earlier this month, Jake Rill's piece on the signing indicated the team expects he will be ready to go at the start of Spring Training.
December 31, 2025 at 6:02 PM
He was supposed to start a throwing program back in October and when they announced the signing earlier this month, Jake Rill's piece on the signing indicated the team expects he will be ready to go at the start of Spring Training.
I need Robinson to get no more than 1 point more than the Rams' defense. So, Go Rams!!!!
December 30, 2025 at 1:10 AM
I need Robinson to get no more than 1 point more than the Rams' defense. So, Go Rams!!!!
I have had that exact same surgery. I'm not a professional athlete or anything, but it made a huge difference for my everyday life. And recovery was rather short.
December 29, 2025 at 11:35 PM
I have had that exact same surgery. I'm not a professional athlete or anything, but it made a huge difference for my everyday life. And recovery was rather short.
If Imai is the guy, that makes sense. Bradish and Rogers could probably benefit from the added rest as well. Not to mention Baz hasn't been the healthiest in his career and Eflin is coming off the back issue. They could go with a six man rotation until an injury.
December 29, 2025 at 1:38 PM
If Imai is the guy, that makes sense. Bradish and Rogers could probably benefit from the added rest as well. Not to mention Baz hasn't been the healthiest in his career and Eflin is coming off the back issue. They could go with a six man rotation until an injury.
That's true...I'm just saying when the Morton singing happened, I felt "meh" about it and hoped it was just a piece, not the last one. Baz and Eflin is better than Sugano and Morton, but I'm still in that "I hope this isn't it" space I was post-Morton last year.
December 29, 2025 at 1:03 PM
That's true...I'm just saying when the Morton singing happened, I felt "meh" about it and hoped it was just a piece, not the last one. Baz and Eflin is better than Sugano and Morton, but I'm still in that "I hope this isn't it" space I was post-Morton last year.
I agree with this take...but short of a trade (or injury we don't know about) I'm struggling to see the fit here. The rotation is now Bradish, Rogers, Baz, Eflin, Kremer...Wells and Suarez are in the pen and Povich in AAA. They still need a top guy, this feels similar to the Morton signing...
December 29, 2025 at 1:54 AM
I agree with this take...but short of a trade (or injury we don't know about) I'm struggling to see the fit here. The rotation is now Bradish, Rogers, Baz, Eflin, Kremer...Wells and Suarez are in the pen and Povich in AAA. They still need a top guy, this feels similar to the Morton signing...
I don't mind the programs, though some stadiums don't offer one anymore. I used to get a program and score card at every game. I still score every game, but finding the scorecards at the stadiums is getting harder and harder.
December 23, 2025 at 10:50 PM
I don't mind the programs, though some stadiums don't offer one anymore. I used to get a program and score card at every game. I still score every game, but finding the scorecards at the stadiums is getting harder and harder.
Depends on the prospect
December 22, 2025 at 4:04 AM
Depends on the prospect
I'd do that deal in a second.
December 22, 2025 at 3:06 AM
I'd do that deal in a second.
I'd argue he can be. His 2025 numbers certainly meet that level. He was a top-5 Cy Young finisher. It depends how high your "ace" bar is, but he can be in that threshold for me. Bradish in 2023 and Rogers (in limited innings) in 2025 were also ace-level.
December 20, 2025 at 4:07 AM
I'd argue he can be. His 2025 numbers certainly meet that level. He was a top-5 Cy Young finisher. It depends how high your "ace" bar is, but he can be in that threshold for me. Bradish in 2023 and Rogers (in limited innings) in 2025 were also ace-level.
Fair, but I can't fully discount any offensive stats from a player just because of Coors. It is a factor though. Even so his sOPS+ vs. LHP was good. I get (and agree with) the argument about the extent of the upgrade which is why I made my comment about the coat likely being too high given the role.
December 20, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Fair, but I can't fully discount any offensive stats from a player just because of Coors. It is a factor though. Even so his sOPS+ vs. LHP was good. I get (and agree with) the argument about the extent of the upgrade which is why I made my comment about the coat likely being too high given the role.
The argument is he would be a weak side platoon player and defensive replacement. His numbers vs LHP were great last year. I wouldn't mind him in that role. I do think that fills a need...but given the other teams interested I'm not sure the price lines up with such a limited role.
December 20, 2025 at 12:09 AM
The argument is he would be a weak side platoon player and defensive replacement. His numbers vs LHP were great last year. I wouldn't mind him in that role. I do think that fills a need...but given the other teams interested I'm not sure the price lines up with such a limited role.
I still think they need to sign Valdez or another top guy. They're definitely approaching this off-season differently and that's good (even if I don't love all the moves), but if they're all in, they need to be all in. Sign a top SP, add another bullpen arm (or 2), and then supplement the fringes.
December 19, 2025 at 10:39 PM
I still think they need to sign Valdez or another top guy. They're definitely approaching this off-season differently and that's good (even if I don't love all the moves), but if they're all in, they need to be all in. Sign a top SP, add another bullpen arm (or 2), and then supplement the fringes.
The response points out DH, but that eats into Basallo's ABs, not to mention O'Neill who currently figures to have only shortside platoon ABs as an OF & that's not mentioning Mounty. Overall, I think Mayo and Basallo need everyday ABs and, barring injury, that doesn't fit with both on the roster.
December 18, 2025 at 7:27 PM
The response points out DH, but that eats into Basallo's ABs, not to mention O'Neill who currently figures to have only shortside platoon ABs as an OF & that's not mentioning Mounty. Overall, I think Mayo and Basallo need everyday ABs and, barring injury, that doesn't fit with both on the roster.
I do think they need a LHP that doesn't have reverse splits. Wells should be in the pen. Povich gets dumped to AAA. Cano could as well. It'll be a competition in spring.
December 18, 2025 at 1:38 PM
I do think they need a LHP that doesn't have reverse splits. Wells should be in the pen. Povich gets dumped to AAA. Cano could as well. It'll be a competition in spring.
Good news on both fronts.
December 17, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Good news on both fronts.
I'd imagine Bader is looking for a starting gig rather than a weak side platoon. Wouldn't hate it though.
December 14, 2025 at 11:59 PM
I'd imagine Bader is looking for a starting gig rather than a weak side platoon. Wouldn't hate it though.
Both of them would take a huge haul, particularly given the haul they traded to get Miller at the deadline. They could do it, but it would hurt I imagine an offer would start with something like: Mayo, Povich, George and Mejia.
December 12, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Both of them would take a huge haul, particularly given the haul they traded to get Miller at the deadline. They could do it, but it would hurt I imagine an offer would start with something like: Mayo, Povich, George and Mejia.
I think a RHH CF to platoon with Cowser would be nice, a Brenton Doyle type. But as far as everyday options, very much agreed. It needs to be all about pitching now.
December 12, 2025 at 1:43 AM
I think a RHH CF to platoon with Cowser would be nice, a Brenton Doyle type. But as far as everyday options, very much agreed. It needs to be all about pitching now.