1:58. Injuries. Ugh. Orioles missing the playoffs? Legit question.
They’ve been playing below 500 ball since late June. If guys like Rodriguez, Coulumbe and Westburg can get back on the field, they should be alright. If not, again, legit question.
I don’t know. They’re only 2 games under .500 since 7/1. With their cushion, they could probably play .500 ball until the end of the season and still make the PS. If they did that, then the RSox would have to go 26 and 12 just to tie the O’s. That’s highly doubtful.
Think they’ll get to the playoffs. But getting past 2-3 quality teams to the WS is a question.
Have stopped watching their games. Something’s missing. The broadcasters are pumping them too hard. Their D and bullpen do questionable things at times. Then again, same can be said for the Yankees. One of Cleveland, Minnesota, and KC may make this a memorable year in MLB.
The trade deadline has a funny effect on team dynamics, the O’s, being clear cut World Series contenders, should have made a more impactful trade to spark that clubhouse.
Totally disagree with Steve’s take on the Giants, suggesting they’re allergic to long-term deals. They offered the same deal to Judge that the Yankees did. They offered the same deal to Ohtani that the Dodgers did. They offered long-term deals to Harper, and Yamamoto. And before the deal fell through they offered a 13 year deal to Correa.
Clearly the Giants aren’t adverse to long-term deals. It obviously comes down to the player, and if that guy is worth the gamble of the deal becoming an albatross. Not giving Gausman the deal that the Jays did is starting to look like a smart move. And so far the same with Rodon.
C-Daddy, That’s debatable, and really too early to know for sure. On a 5 year/$110M deal, I think a team would want 3 solid seasons, 1 average, or slightly below average, one, and be willing to accept a bad one in the final year. Or something similar to that.
They got good value, 25 points better than league average, for the first 2, but Gausman has performed below league average in the 3rd season of the deal. If he bounces back next season, I’ll agree with you whole-heartedly. But if this season reflects a trend, and the next 2 seasons are subpar, to bad, then I’m not sure the Jays will not consider it a great return on their spending.
How dare you disagree with any of the self proclaimed experts that write for this site!
Look, these guys writing have GM caliber tools at their disposal and offer expert advice and evaluations (per their ad). What do you have? Google? Does Steve have to explain to you what OPS+ means again?
***I do like this site, I hope I didn’t get myself banned.
Die hard fans typically have better insight to their organization than the writers on the site do in all honesty but the writers have to follow and have above average knowledge on all 30 teams. They have to be quick with their post and their answers to questions so you cannot judge them too harshly.
I will, without hesitation, admit that Steve Adams knows way more than I ever will about baseball, That’s not the point though. As none of us are, he isn’t infallible. And like everyone else he has the occasional blind spot. And sometimes Steve will post things that, as track record will show, are recognizably wrong. I don’t judge him harshly, only in that I’m disagreeing with him on one particular issue.
It’s like someone like Farhan Zaidi. I know he knows more about running/building a baseball team than anyone posting here. That doesn’t mean though that he, or any GM/PBO, shouldn’t sometimes be criticized. In general I think Zaidi has done as well as he could given the circumstances, but I will still take exception to a move or deal that he’s made here or there.
Farhan Zaidi is the person that don’t like giving out long term contracts. Lee being the exemption to that. I think he done that because he had to do something before the fans started getting louder about his job.
I agree he should have given Gausman a long term contract.
OK, let’s say the Cubs want someone to pick up a player they DFA in order to get them under the cap. Can they do an OkeyDokey and make a lopsided minor league deal in order to persuade the other team to sign them? Say the Cubs trade a top 30 young prospect for an aging prospect and the other team picks up a guy who the Cubs DFA?
It was a big time misfire by Jed Hoyer to not deal Smyly or someone else to get under the luxury tax at the trade deadline. They could have added some money (the option buy out), ducked under the luxury tax and still gotten a decent enough return.
Speaking of the trade deadline, one would have thought the Yankees would have learned their lesson in the Efross deal not to trade a dynamic young arm for an older reliever with a couple years left like Leiter.
***the Cubs were in play for Harper several years ago but Tom Ricketts told Theo he had to find the money. Epstein too often allowed the entire offseason to hinge on a single deal (trading Bryant, trading Heyward so they could sign Harper). Hoyer really stepped right into that roll last offseason as well, waiting for Bellinger to sign.
Regardless of what “reporters at the Athletic” may say or the self proclaimed “experts” that write for this site, the Cubs are not “out” on any free agent. I doubt they sign Soto or even attempt to unless Bellinger opts out but Burnes is a realistic target, allowing them to deal from their starting pitching depth to get the bat they need (revisit OHoope, engage with the A’s for Shea). If the Cubs fully believe in PCA, Alcantara could be dangled in trade.
Drascoo, it takes two teams to make a trade. What team is going to want to take on Smyly’s contract for a mediocre at best middle reliever? Some fans do not understand how difficult it is to make a trade. Not defending the Cubs as I am not a fan of that team, but just stating the obvious.
John,
Smyly is a really good reliever, probably would have been one of the better left handed relievers available at the deadline. His knock is that he’s being paid as a starter, hence adding some money.
As you said, you’re not a Cubs fan so you don’t really know about Smyly.
I am a baseball fan, so I know about more than just the team that I follow. Smyly is not worth his contract, so I don’t see teams being willing to add that salary for what is received which is limited. The Cubs are not the only franchise that have salary concerns.
I clearly said “add money” in both my responses. I also said that he is being paid as a starter so you saying that he “isn’t worth his contract” and “don’t see team willing to add that salary” is moot.
Because you are a “baseball fan” you should know that trading teams regularly take on portions of contracts. Also, being a baseball fan, you should know the value of a left handed reliever that is capable of going multiple innings and is currently rocking a sub 3 era and an era+ of over 140.
1:58. Injuries. Ugh. Orioles missing the playoffs? Legit question.
They’ve been playing below 500 ball since late June. If guys like Rodriguez, Coulumbe and Westburg can get back on the field, they should be alright. If not, again, legit question.
I don’t know. They’re only 2 games under .500 since 7/1. With their cushion, they could probably play .500 ball until the end of the season and still make the PS. If they did that, then the RSox would have to go 26 and 12 just to tie the O’s. That’s highly doubtful.
Jeff – Sorry I don’t view it as a legit question.
7 game lead with 6 weeks to go. ‘
Even if the Sox go 25-13 all the O’s would need to do is go 16-20.
And I highly doubt the Sox are even gonna sniff 25 wins.
C Yards Jeff;
Think they’ll get to the playoffs. But getting past 2-3 quality teams to the WS is a question.
Have stopped watching their games. Something’s missing. The broadcasters are pumping them too hard. Their D and bullpen do questionable things at times. Then again, same can be said for the Yankees. One of Cleveland, Minnesota, and KC may make this a memorable year in MLB.
Tigers are making their move… look out Orioles.
The trade deadline has a funny effect on team dynamics, the O’s, being clear cut World Series contenders, should have made a more impactful trade to spark that clubhouse.
I appreciate the counter point action. Hope you guys are right.
Totally disagree with Steve’s take on the Giants, suggesting they’re allergic to long-term deals. They offered the same deal to Judge that the Yankees did. They offered the same deal to Ohtani that the Dodgers did. They offered long-term deals to Harper, and Yamamoto. And before the deal fell through they offered a 13 year deal to Correa.
Clearly the Giants aren’t adverse to long-term deals. It obviously comes down to the player, and if that guy is worth the gamble of the deal becoming an albatross. Not giving Gausman the deal that the Jays did is starting to look like a smart move. And so far the same with Rodon.
Gausman has already earned that contract with the Jays, despite being inconsistent this season.
C-Daddy, That’s debatable, and really too early to know for sure. On a 5 year/$110M deal, I think a team would want 3 solid seasons, 1 average, or slightly below average, one, and be willing to accept a bad one in the final year. Or something similar to that.
They got good value, 25 points better than league average, for the first 2, but Gausman has performed below league average in the 3rd season of the deal. If he bounces back next season, I’ll agree with you whole-heartedly. But if this season reflects a trend, and the next 2 seasons are subpar, to bad, then I’m not sure the Jays will not consider it a great return on their spending.
How dare you disagree with any of the self proclaimed experts that write for this site!
Look, these guys writing have GM caliber tools at their disposal and offer expert advice and evaluations (per their ad). What do you have? Google? Does Steve have to explain to you what OPS+ means again?
***I do like this site, I hope I didn’t get myself banned.
Die hard fans typically have better insight to their organization than the writers on the site do in all honesty but the writers have to follow and have above average knowledge on all 30 teams. They have to be quick with their post and their answers to questions so you cannot judge them too harshly.
I will, without hesitation, admit that Steve Adams knows way more than I ever will about baseball, That’s not the point though. As none of us are, he isn’t infallible. And like everyone else he has the occasional blind spot. And sometimes Steve will post things that, as track record will show, are recognizably wrong. I don’t judge him harshly, only in that I’m disagreeing with him on one particular issue.
It’s like someone like Farhan Zaidi. I know he knows more about running/building a baseball team than anyone posting here. That doesn’t mean though that he, or any GM/PBO, shouldn’t sometimes be criticized. In general I think Zaidi has done as well as he could given the circumstances, but I will still take exception to a move or deal that he’s made here or there.
Farhan Zaidi is the person that don’t like giving out long term contracts. Lee being the exemption to that. I think he done that because he had to do something before the fans started getting louder about his job.
I agree he should have given Gausman a long term contract.
Wow!!! And I really think the Reds JUMP at that deal… great post Friedman!
OK, let’s say the Cubs want someone to pick up a player they DFA in order to get them under the cap. Can they do an OkeyDokey and make a lopsided minor league deal in order to persuade the other team to sign them? Say the Cubs trade a top 30 young prospect for an aging prospect and the other team picks up a guy who the Cubs DFA?
It was a big time misfire by Jed Hoyer to not deal Smyly or someone else to get under the luxury tax at the trade deadline. They could have added some money (the option buy out), ducked under the luxury tax and still gotten a decent enough return.
Speaking of the trade deadline, one would have thought the Yankees would have learned their lesson in the Efross deal not to trade a dynamic young arm for an older reliever with a couple years left like Leiter.
***the Cubs were in play for Harper several years ago but Tom Ricketts told Theo he had to find the money. Epstein too often allowed the entire offseason to hinge on a single deal (trading Bryant, trading Heyward so they could sign Harper). Hoyer really stepped right into that roll last offseason as well, waiting for Bellinger to sign.
Regardless of what “reporters at the Athletic” may say or the self proclaimed “experts” that write for this site, the Cubs are not “out” on any free agent. I doubt they sign Soto or even attempt to unless Bellinger opts out but Burnes is a realistic target, allowing them to deal from their starting pitching depth to get the bat they need (revisit OHoope, engage with the A’s for Shea). If the Cubs fully believe in PCA, Alcantara could be dangled in trade.
Drascoo, it takes two teams to make a trade. What team is going to want to take on Smyly’s contract for a mediocre at best middle reliever? Some fans do not understand how difficult it is to make a trade. Not defending the Cubs as I am not a fan of that team, but just stating the obvious.
John,
Smyly is a really good reliever, probably would have been one of the better left handed relievers available at the deadline. His knock is that he’s being paid as a starter, hence adding some money.
As you said, you’re not a Cubs fan so you don’t really know about Smyly.
I am a baseball fan, so I know about more than just the team that I follow. Smyly is not worth his contract, so I don’t see teams being willing to add that salary for what is received which is limited. The Cubs are not the only franchise that have salary concerns.
I clearly said “add money” in both my responses. I also said that he is being paid as a starter so you saying that he “isn’t worth his contract” and “don’t see team willing to add that salary” is moot.
Because you are a “baseball fan” you should know that trading teams regularly take on portions of contracts. Also, being a baseball fan, you should know the value of a left handed reliever that is capable of going multiple innings and is currently rocking a sub 3 era and an era+ of over 140.