Dan Duquette and the Orioles brass are saying all of the right things. They are even doing the right things, so far. Expiring contracts that can be moved, have been. The club is collecting international signing money, and they have been credibly connected, in some way shape or form, to some of the top Latin players available. They even seem to be making an effort at being proactive by taking calls on the players that are under control beyond 2018. It's really something.
But the rebuild has not fully taken effect until those thoughts and words become tangible actions.
It's nice to be "interested" in a player like Victor Victor Mesa. It would be much better if he were signed to an Orioles contract. It's encouraging to know they are open to trading Kevin Gausman, Jonathan Schoop and Mychal Givens. It would be glorious to see them negotiate a massive return of prospects for that trio that sets the team up for future success.
Things have been going well so far, but this has not be a flawless trade window. Maybe the deals won't there for the taking by July 31. That's fine. It's reasonable to extend the benefit of the doubt through the winter, but if the Spring Training 2019 roster looks a lot like the roster on the final day of the 2018 season, we have a huge problem on our hands.
*This episode of the podcast was recorded on Monday, July 30, prior to the 2018 non-waiver trade deadline.*
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Well, it has started now.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to see O's management understand that you have to tear it down almost completely---like the Astros did---before you can start the rebuilding process.
If Duquette is indeed behind today's moves, does it mean that he and the O's are interested in a contract extension?
And what about Brady Anderson? Is he out of the picture when it comes to personnel decisions? I sure hope so.
Now that the Orioles have cleared a ton of Salary space for the rest of this year and the foreseeable future, they can now make Adam Jones a competitive offer to stay if he chooses. Austin Hays will need another year in the minors after a wasted season and so will Diaz who is only 21; no need to burn a year of team control. Start with a three year offer with a player option for the final year. Also, Cashner and Trumbo contracts come off the books after next season.
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