Friday, May 8, 2020

Hot Stove League Update: Orioles


The Orioles have a way to go in their rebuild.  Pitching and pitching depth have been a longterm weakness, partly due to the ballpark they play in.  They used the Hot Stove League to load up on innings eating vets and young arms.  They'll wait for a few more high draft picks to think about contending.  Key Moves:

Free Agent Losses:  Aaron Brooks(RHP), Gabriel Ynoa(RHP), Mark Trumbo(1B/OF/DH), Tayler Scott(RHP).

Free Agents Signed:  Jose Iglesias(SS), Kohl Stewart(RHP).

Trades:  Acquired Isaac Mattson(RHP), Zach Peek(RHP), Kyle Brnovich(RHP), Kyle Bradish(RHP) from the Angels for Dylan Bundy(RHP).  Acquired Easton Lucas(LHP) from the Marlins for Jonathan Villar(IF).

Waiver Claims:  Hector Velazquez(RHP- Red Sox), Andrew Velazquez(IF- Indians), Ramon Urias(IF- Cardinals), Travis Lakins(RHP- Cubs), Pat Valaika(IF- D'Backs), Richard Urena(IF- Blue Jays).

Minor League Free Agents:  Tommy Milone(LHP), Wade LeBlanc(LHP), Cesar Valdez(RHP), Bryan Holiday(C), Danny Barnes(RHP).

Summary:  Not a lot to get excited about here.  O's fans will have to wait and hope for a couple more good drafts for the team to make a push for contention.

Grade C-

BTW, if that is not bad enough, Trey Mancini, arguably the team's top player was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer and will miss the entire 2020 season undergoing treatment.  We wish him the best and keep our fingers crossed for a full recovery.  Just an FYI, colon cancer is on the upsurge in people under the age of 50 which most guidelines say is the age to start screening.  Look for that to be revised at some point in the future.

4 comments:

  1. Rebuilding for the Orioles and other teams who have fallen to the bottom in the last few years is painful to everyone involved -- we know so well.
    With the prospective abbreviated season and no season for the minor leagues:
    Would it behoove the Giants to think about using the "season" for development of players who need it over guys who are just playing out contracts?

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    1. Most of the Giants top prospects are not ready to play in the major leagues yet, so I expect them to pretty much stick with the roster they constructed in the Hot Stove League. Roster expansion will help them keep a few extra churn guys to see if they can stick.

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    2. I meant the guys below the top prospects, but getting "up there" in age and it's now-or-never (like Yaz last year).
      I think you're saying that it could be "negative development" to have someone playing at the major league level before he is ready & that it's better that he doesn't play at all than fail at MLB?
      Is that
      Bart is in a class by himself but shouldn't he be the primary backup and take his licks than "sit out" much of the season?
      There are "marginal" infielders who are 27-29 (like Green, Adames, and maybe Avelino, (Howard and Wong are 26) and possible infielder/outfielders like Slater and Shaw who have more to learn/prove than say Sandoval, Pence, and Puig (?)?
      Shouldn't Davis, Duggar, and McCarthy be doing something?

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    3. Given where the Giants are in their "rebuild", I share your frustration that some older young guys like Jaylin Davis who need long looks are seemingly getting blocked by Hamilton, Yolmer Sanchez, Pence and Sandoval. Yeah, if there is no minor league season and MLB is somehow able to play, it would be better for Bart to play part time at the MLB level than not at all, maybe Heliot Ramos too.

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