The Orioles announced several roster cuts Sunday, as Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com was among those to cover. Outfielder Austin Hays, who looked like a strong contender for a season-opening starting role, is the most notable player returning to the minors. General manager Mike Elias insisted service time didn’t factor into the decision, suggesting it’s irrelevant in Hays’ case because he already debuted in 2017, Kubatko tweets. Based on his spring, in which he put together a video game-like .351/.385/.892 line with five home runs in 37 at-bats, Hays deserved a roster spot in Baltimore. The promising prospect is coming off an injury-shortened season in which he posted underwhelming minor league numbers across 327 plate appearances, however. Per Kubatko, Hays and the Orioles believe there’s more for him to work on at the Triple-A level, where he hasn’t yet played. “I still haven’t played too many games in the minor leagues,” Hays said. “I haven’t had too many at-bats. I missed almost a whole year last year due to injuries, so there’s some time I need to make up.”
More from the East Coast…
- The lower back problems that have shelved Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks this month will also sideline him for the team’s season-opening series, ESPN’s Coley Harvey reports. Hicks informed Harvey he underwent a second cortisone shot Sunday, though the 29-year-old is optimistic he’ll return at the outset of April. Without Hicks, it’s likely both Luke Voit and Greg Bird – who have been vying for the starting job at first base – will make New York’s roster, observes MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, who notes the team will have to choose between Clint Frazier and Tyler Wade as its fourth outfielder. Regardless, the Yankees are left to hope Hicks’ injury doesn’t turn into an ongoing issue, especially after they inked him to a seven-year, $70MM extension last month.
- Braves manager Brian Snitker expects relievers A.J. Minter (shoulder) and Darren O’Day (forearm) to open 2019 on the injured list, Mark Bowman of MLB.com relays. Minter’s absence could prove especially detrimental, given that the lefty has thrived since debuting in 2017 and figured to begin the season sharing closer duties with Arodys Vizcaino. O’Day hasn’t yet pitched since last June, nor has he debuted with the Braves, who acquired him from Baltimore in July while he was shelved with a season-ending hamstring injury. The absences of Minter and O’Day may make Atlanta an even better fit for free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel, but to this point, it doesn’t seem as if the club has seriously pursued its former star.
- Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos has developed an affinity for right-hander Anibal Sanchez over the past several years, as Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com explains. Despite that, the Braves didn’t re-sign Sanchez this past offseason after he experienced a career renaissance in their uniform last year. Thanks in part to their collection of young, major league-ready starters, the Braves were hesitant to ink Sanchez to a multiyear guarantee over the winter, Anthopoulos revealed, thereby paving the way for his exit. The 35-year-old ended up accepting division-rival Washington’s two-year, $19MM offer. “Obviously, you never want to see a division rival get better, but I’m so fond of him that I’m really happy for him,” said Anthopoulos, whose club benefited from Sanchez’s presence in 2018 after signing him for just $1MM in late March.
Aaron Boone observes that Bird and Voit most likely will not both be on the roster. I’m more inclined to believe him over Bryan Hoch.
As I remember Boone was quoted saying as much before the revelation that Hicks would start the season on the DL. So I wouldn’t put much credence in that statement.
Looks like Wade will make it…
This is why context is important
Shield… Boone said it just a couple of days ago during an in game interview with David Wells, David Cone and Flash Flaherty. This exact scenario was discussed.
the problem is that it isnt up to Boone.
if bird and voir are both hitting 400 with power do you send one to the minors in a dh league to get the 13th or 14th best pitcher on your roster for opening day?
No, you send them down so you can replace your injured CF. 13 pitchers are pretty common today. That was going to happen regardless of the injury.
@Joesays That comment was made at the beginning of ST when addressing whether or not they were considering carrying both as a 1B platoon. Once the Hicks injury came about (and the fact they didn’t effectively address our LF/CF depth prior) they were open to the idea of moving Gardner to CF, Stanton to LF, and likely, Voit to DH and Bird gets most of the PT at 1B.
See my reply above.
Best bet is Gardner is CF, Frazier in LF?
Eh, Clints not having a great spring. I did watch him hit a triple yesterday though. We could see something like Stanton in RF, Judge in CF, Gardner in LF if Yankees arent comfortable with Clints production
I thought O’Day was supposed to be the big add to the bullpen in 2019? At least that’s how AA spun it when we traded for an injured overpaid O’Day last July
Glad we’re paying O’Day $9 million to do nothing. Apparently we have $9 mil to burn on terrible players but don’t have $18 mil to spend on HOF closers.
Makes total sense. Another shining example AA has no business making decisions for this team
Taking on O’day is probably why you didn’t have to part with any top prospects to acquire Gausman.
You got Gausman for a guy who might be a backup catcher a complete lottery ticket 3B and Evan phillips. Anything you get from O’day is a cherry on top. No reason to hate on AA for that borderline fleecing.
I was not aware of any HOF closer being available for the grand total of $18mm. If you’re implying that Kimbral is looking for a one year deal, me thinks you are mistaken.
im sure he’d take one year $18 million at this point.
If he would take 1/18 at this point, he wouldn’t still be unsigned
At this point he should take 18-mil for 1. I doubt he’s being offered that much for a 1-year deal.
Not that I agree with him butnhe didnt say “grand total”.
MJ, time to pay attention to another sport.
Very excited for hays. Looks great this spring after a horrible year. If nothing else I think the orioles might be able to put together a solid outfield in a year or two.
And then a solid team 7 or 8 years after that!
They are on the way with the outfield—and yet no reason to rush any of these guys. If Hays is really as good as his inflated ST numbers suggest, he’ll replicate solid performance in the Minors.
Fellow Brave fans need to leave the Kimbrel talk alone already. Contrary to what y’all may believe but the money he is seeking is entirely to high for this club. Not so much this year or next maybe even the 3rd but after that raises for Acuna, Albies, Camargo, Freddie, Folty, Newcomb etc are gonna require money and investing that kind of money in s closer at what will be an older age is just plain stupid.
I believe if Zkimbrel would take a 3 yr deal the Braves would have signed him by now. He is looking for Zchapman money but more importantly Chapman years and he is not in position to demand that kind of contract. Closers are volatile & when they fall off they fall off a cliff. 5 yrs is entirely to long. I would be looking to give a 2 with a player option but settle for a hard 3 if that’s what it took but 4 or 5 no way it hamstrings the club on the back end.
What you say is absolutely correct. Last thing the Braves need is Kimbrel’s contract.
If the Braves lose (which they will with their pathetic rotation), the excuse will be injuries to save face. They will follow the Mets excuse book.
Anthopolus is really happy to have to spend $$ is what he is really happy about. How the guy has been a GM for so long boggles the mind. I guess when you are mediocre cheap teams like Toronto and Atlanta flock to you.
This and the comment above have to be the stupidest crap I’ve read on this site in a while. I’m surprised you two mental midgets don’t have to be reminded to breathe.
Agreed.
As a fan of the Braves (cheap and boring with money to spend) and the Vikings (out of cap space, thanks Kirk) this is painful to watch..
Both organizations seem to rebuild just to win divisions and then go behind the 8 ball for 3 more years after getting handed one round exits..
#givebackAA
Sending Hays down is definitely about service time. He debuted, but has a tiny amount of time. The O’s know they’re losing 100 games this year (probably next few). They know they can bury him in Norfolk for as long as it takes for them to get a 7th year. A month or so isn’t going to matter to them either way.
Makes perfect sense from a building a competitive team of the future. No sense wasting a year of his services on a completely lost season.
I’m most definitely not one to defend this kind of thing normally,but in this case they may be justified.
Spring training stats mean nothing and the MLB season is really long. Given his injury last seasons and lack of proper experience, having him play in the minors where they can be cautious with his work load isn’t a terrible idea in this case.
If he’s up the day his extra year I locked in, though, I hope he files a grievance.
Has O’day even pitched yet? If so how’s he looked? If not, how did injure his forearm I thought he was out with a torn hamstring?…I know we’ve been clamoring for Kimbrel but even cheaper options should’ve been considered. Sipp, Madson, Octavinno (although he was expensive) resign Brach, or heck even snag Mike Minor before he got offered a starting spot. We’ve completely ignored our weakest area and it’s going to bite us..constantly throwing young guys in the pen that don’t work out as a starter has not worked for us either and wish they would quit using that as a best practice.
It read in the article he hasn’t pitched since the injury, I could be wrong but I’d think that would include spring. Not being sarcastic, just how the article came across to me.
no worries, I kinda read it that way too but just haven’t heard anything of him actually pitching
That’s a good question. I read it the same as you two. He hasnt thrown a pitch since his original injury so what happened to the forearm?
The Braves don’t actually have $$ available. Corporate owner says they do, GM says they do (because he has to), but it’s a facade. Corporation actually told them they get no more money (maybe a dribble at the deadline, if they’re not in 4th). Corporation soaking up the profits of the new stadium development, doesn’t care about winning. Injured relievers and perhaps the best closer still available? And came up with the Braves to boot? No interest. Does that sound like a team with money to spend? Transparent.
oh lord just wait…you’re gonna have a couple of guys yelling at you (all caps lol) that Liberty media does not pocket the profits of the Braves, do your research, etc. blah blah….good luck hahaha
If Liberty never takes money out of the Braves, why does Braves management look to Liberty to see if they have money to spend? Why does Liberty say the Braves have money to spend, if they play no role? I’m not buying it. Unless you’re saying the Braves never have profits, so there’s nothing to take? Even that would probably require creative accounting, like all money not coming directly from ticket sales not being the “Braves” money, but “Liberty” money, so they’re not “taking” it. Liberty’s investor call crowed about all the $$ being made from the commercial development around the stadium, but I’m not seeing said $$ going towards roster improvement. And Liberty is not “taking profits”? I guess it depends how you define it. I suppose I could say they don’t “invest” or “reinvest” $$, if that makes folks feel better about it.
theres a few guys on here that came across a fact that Liberty Media can’t ‘pocket’ profits from the Braves so they spew that every chance they get. The profits gets invested back into the Braves. What those guys who call others idiots for not knowing that don’t think about is those profits are the being redistributed to build fancy new Spring Training facilities, the Battery area, prime time real estate in Smyrna/Atl and then paying down debts. Ultimately making the Braves empire even more valuable, self sustaining, profitable and eventually debt free. If Liberty Media ever does sell (hope to God) those profits will most certainly be ‘Pocketed’ and for a way larger sum…they could care less about what players are on the field and why should they honestly?!?!
Appreciate the analysis. No doubt you’re right. I guess I’m still wondering why Liberty can’t pocket Braves’ profits in a more straightforward way. What did those guys find? Contractual provision? Agreement with league to get approval? It just seems odd.
they did their ‘research’ apparently and read the Entire contract agreement from the sale back in 07′ I believe (although I bet they just read a couple of bullet points lol)…you’ll have to ask them, I’m trying be somewhat classy and not call the commenters by name ha!
sooooo moral of the story is they have money to spend (and choose not to…)
Yes. Well, there would have been money to spend if Liberty let them. And Liberty chooses not to (they prefer to show more cash/profits to Wall St), to be precise.
I wish the Braves had re-signed Anibal. He was really good after he got healthy. There were teams out there for whom Teheran would have been an upgrade. They could have dumped him for a bag of balls and a dozen bats.
Bird and Voit have both been having a good spring. I think Bird has a slight edge (in spring numbers) so far. Will be interesting to see what happens. I like both players and they both deserve playing time. Unfortunately there is only one position. DH may open up with Hicks out
The Braves are like the guy with a 10 year old car that runs well so why get a new one, parts are cheaper.
All kidding aside the Braves most likely don’t have the pitching to win the East unless Donaldson, Freeman and Acuna have monster seasons.
The team will make nice profits, why not, they will be competitive to a point and the park is still new and very nice.
I like Donaldson, slick fielder and terrific hitter when healthy but he wasn’t a must get, Camargo could hold it down until Riley is or is not ready.
Love McCann, hated when he left but he has a family and money is important, now he can sign for less be home and play 50 games. This made some sense because Flowers and Bmac hit from opposite sides.
The last 5 seasons nothing has been done to build a really solid bullpen…… bizarre and bewildering….not to mention stupid.
Lets hope the young starters start to work their way into the rotation, this could be a long season if not.
Things I am so tired of reading:
1. The Braves should abandon the strategies that have made their rebuild successful so far and blow prospects and cash on overpriced options to try to win it all in 2019 (at the cost of 2020, 2021, 2022, etc.)
2. Since the Braves didn’t sign Harper, Machado, Kimbrel, or Keuchel, (just like 28 other MLB teams didn’t) they’re lying losers who staged the worst offseason in baseball history because they just don’t want to win.
3. Liberty Media is an evil empire who wants to (gasp!) make profits (the b*****ds)!
Can we just let the season play out and see what happens before we shriek any more about how the sky is falling?
Oops! Missed one:
4. Even though he has many years of actual baseball management experience, AA is an incompetent fool who knows so much less than the wise commenters on this site, who have none.
There. I think that’s everything.