The **OFFICIAL** 2019 MLB Thread

[Todd Anderson]

MLB 2019. Why not???

The O's just made a huge hire in bringing former assistant GM Mike Elias (Astros) in to completely revamp the team and it's entire farm system. For the last several decades, Majority Owner Peter Angelos maintained tight control over the team and those running it. But he appears to be out of the picture (age/health) and his sons have taken control... and they are saying all the right things. Namely, giving the new GM total autonomy on making decisions that will put the team in a position to win again.

I'm sad to see the Adam Jones / Buck Showalter era end. But excited to see where the new GM and ownership tandem will take the team in the future. By all accounts Elias had a big role in getting Houston to its current state of competitiveness. Hopefully he can work some magic – Orioles Magic – in Baltimore!

 

[JBrax]

I hope for your sake he’s able to turn things around. Pilfering from the Houston pipeline seems to be a good idea. I wonder if he sticks with the tanking philosophy to infuse high end talent? If so it might be a long few years but maybe a big time payoff in the end.

 

[Todd Anderson]

His first hire was yesterday - former head of analytics for Houston. The new GM is saying he and this analytics guy are going to strip and rebuild the entire evaluation and coaching philosophy from the farm system up with a heavy emphasis on analytics. The O’s anaylitics department was basically nonexistent... so this is definitely going to be a total breakdown and rebuild.

I’m all for it. Unfortunately, baseball in Baltimore is going to stink for a while...

 

[JBrax]

Trust the process Todd. Analytics played a major role in the Royals return to relevance so I’m a believer.

 

[Todd Anderson]

I'm trusting it. I've been following the situation (very) closely and this GM/Assistant-GM tandem is the one that I was hoping Baltimore would get. I'm also relieved that the long standing owner of the Orioles has relinquished control of the team to his sons, who are signaling that they are going to completely reverse course with a different philosophy.

Now to exercise some patience... which means, what: "Official 2021 MLB Thread"?

 

[Todd Anderson]

Wow. Manny and Bryce are really dragging down this offseason. Only a few interesting chips have gotten contracts... but there's something like 100 free agents sitting and waiting.

I feel for Adam Jones. He's a rockstar IMO. I know he's getting older, but if I had a playoff bound team, I'd find a way to get him on the roster. I know he doesn't really fit into the Orioles' rebuild plans, but he somehow fell into their lap, he'd be an awesome presence for all the youngsters.

 

[tripplej]

Go Astros!

 

[JBrax]

Go Astros!

They should be good again this year. My Royals are still a year or two away.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Stros are looking tough. Lost some pitching... but I'm pretty sure they'll be ok

 

[tripplej]

Bryce Harper signs 13-year, $330 million deal with Phillies

 

[Dan Barham]

I’m all for it. Unfortunately, baseball in Baltimore is going to stink for a while...

His first hire was yesterday - former head of analytics for Houston. The new GM is saying he and this analytics guy are going to strip and rebuild the entire evaluation and coaching philosophy from the farm system up with a heavy emphasis on analytics. The O’s anaylitics department was basically nonexistent... so this is definitely going to be a total breakdown and rebuild.

I’m all for it. Unfortunately, baseball in Baltimore is going to stink for a while...

My son is still an Ballmer O-Ree-Os fan and tries, almost daily, to get me interested again. Not gonna happen. Peter Angelos is alive but his ghost hangs over this team like a shroud. Reminds me of the Redskins; as long as Dan Snyder owns the team they ain't going nowhere (poor english intended.)

old arkiedan

 

[Todd Anderson]

@Dan Barham, glad you're here... welcome to the MLB discussion!

Peter is so far removed at this point... it is a changed situation. Although, even when he was in charge, my love of the team wasn't wavering. But, they have most certainly gone in a completely different direction.

I'm a Skins fan too... Dan and Peter couldn't be any different. Peter might have made a few unpopular moves. But the man has donated significant amounts to the city of baltimore... kept ticket prices reasonable... and has maintained a policy of allowing fans to bring food and unopened drinks into the stadium. Dan, on the other hand, can't be classified as the same. Fed Ex field is literally falling apart and full of disgusting surfaces. He's sued patrons. And he's done nothing for the community.

The future is really bright for the O's. Can't say so for the Skins.

Are you from the Balt/Wash area?

 

[Todd Anderson]

Bryce Harper signs 13-year, $330 million deal with Phillies

Nats' fans have done a total 180 on this guy. And the Phillies are locked and loaded for the coming season. Look out NL East!

 

[Dan Barham]

@Dan Barham, glad you're here... welcome to the MLB discussion!

Peter is so far removed at this point... it is a changed situation. Although, even when he was in charge, my love of the team wasn't wavering. But, they have most certainly gone in a completely different direction.

I'm a Skins fan too... Dan and Peter couldn't be any different. Peter might have made a few unpopular moves. But the man has donated significant amounts to the city of baltimore... kept ticket prices reasonable... and has maintained a policy of allowing fans to bring food and unopened drinks into the stadium. Dan, on the other hand, can't be classified as the same. Fed Ex field is literally falling apart and full of disgusting surfaces. He's sued patrons. And he's done nothing for the community.

The future is really bright for the O's. Can't say so for the Skins.

Are you from the Balt/Wash area?

Yeah, I grew up in Silver Spring and lived in College Park and Annapolis after I married. Believe it or not I'm old enough to have been a Washington Senators fan. Man! Talk about a losing streak! Where have yoou gone, Walter Johnson, Washington turns it's lonely eyes to you," to paraphrase Simon and Garfunkle.

I've got to give the Angelos family credit for one thing; They didn't change the name of that fantastic ball park, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, to something like Exxon Oil Stadium for ten or twenty million a year.

old arkiedan

 

[tripplej]

yeah, right after Bryce Harper news was announced, lots and I mean lots of tickets were sold.

Per Si,

"The Philadelphia Phillies have sold 100,000 tickets in less than 24 hours since Bryce Harper agreed to a 13-year, $330 million contract with the team, senior vice president of ticket operations John Weber told the 94WIP Morning Show on Friday.

According to Weber, ticket sales in the right field area were especially high in anticipation of Harper's debut with the team."

 

[JBrax]

@Todd Anderson So the O’s are projected to take a catcher with the first pick? Looks like Bobby Witt Jr. will be a Royal after all. What do you think about this?

 

[Todd Anderson]

I hope the O's take the best player possible ;-). The catcher's hitting is off the charts and he's had a killer college career. Bobby Witt looks really enticing, I guess he's a bit more of a wild card in the bat department. I've read he's an aggressive hitter. The catcher is a switch hitter... apparently walks more than he strikes out... and makes contact.

My big concern is that a catcher isn't always durable. But, the O's could shift him to first.

Based on everything I've read, my inclination is that Rutschman is the best pick. But, this Witt could end up being really amazing. I'm glad I'm not the one responsible for making the decision...

What do you think?


I think of all the off-season chaos, the thing that has bummed me out the most is reading that Adam Jones has signed a deal to be an Diamondback. I know his age and free-swinging nature don't fit well with the modern metrics based movement... but he's one of my all-time favorite O's.

 

[JBrax]

My thoughts pretty much mirror yours Todd. I think Rutschman is the safe pick overall if judging on floor level talent but maybe not so much if judged by ceiling. Like you said I wouldn’t want to be the one making that call. The Royals have been pretty good picking high with HS talent. My gut says both players will at least be adequate MLB players. Although when picking this high adequate isn’t what you want.

 

[Todd Anderson]

The real problem with Witt is that he's high schooler. So much can change between now and a few years down the road. Although, look how well Machado and Harper turned out...

 

[phillihp23]

It’s 75 outside. Sitting on the deck cooking down a moose burger, watching Oakland play Seattle.

 

[Todd Anderson]

It’s 75 outside. Sitting on the deck cooking down a moose burger, watching Oakland play Seattle.

this is the best thing I've read in WEEKS!

 

[tripplej]

Opening day was yesterday, March 29.

from cbssports,
All 30 teams were in action with 15 games spread across the afternoon and evening.

"Opening Day -- Live/Upcoming Games

• FINAL -- Mets 2, Nationals 0 (box score)
• FINAL -- Yankees 7, Orioles 2 (box score)
• FINAL -- Brewers 5, Cardinals 4 (box score)
• FINAL -- Phillies 10, Braves 4 (box score)
• FINAL/10 -- Tigers 2, Blue Jays 0 (box score)
• FINAL -- Astros 5, Rays 1 (box score)
• FINAL -- Cubs 12, Rangers 4 (box score)
• FINAL -- Athletics 4, Angels 0 (box score)
• FINAL -- Reds 5, Pirates 3 (box score)
• FINAL -- Rockies 6, Marlins 3 (box score)
• FINAL -- Twins 2, Indians 0 (box score)
• FINAL -- Padres 2, Giants 0 (box score)
• FINAL -- Dodgers 12, Diamondbacks 5 (box score)
• FINAL -- Royals 5, White Sox 3 (box score)
• FINAL -- Mariners 12, Red Sox 4 (box score) "

 

[JBrax]

The Royals are off to a good start. It doesn’t hurt starting the season against the White Sox.

 

[Todd Anderson]

O's are too.. although 17 of their first 20 games are against teams that won 90+ games last year. Waiting for the shoe to drop...

The Phillies are team #2 in our house. I might end up having to subscribe to MLB TV to watch them if things really go south. Hoping not, tho!

 

[tripplej]

Astros are not looking good. 2 and 4 now. Granted, it is very early in the season.. Hopefully they can turn it around before it is too late.