The Orioles’ ghastly start to the season should leave the club’s decision-makers without any delusion of contending in 2018, writes Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription link). GM Dan Duquette has cited Memorial Day as a “marker” to evaluate teams, Rosenthal notes, but the Orioles’ status is already clear. Duquette thought about dismissing pitching coach Roger McDowell after the 2017 season but held off on doing so, and Rosenthal suggests that McDowell and/or hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh could find himself on the hot seat.
Moreover, the report further focuses on the shifting power structure in the Orioles’ front office and ownership group. Vice president Brady Anderson is taking on a larger role in baseball operations and ran point on the signings of Alex Cobb, Andrew Cashner and Chris Tillman, per the report, though none of that group has performed well so far. And while owner Peter Angelos hasn’t been keen on splashy in-season firings or trades, it’s not clear if his sons, John and Lou, each of whom is becoming more active in the club’s operations, will practice the same restraint.
More from the division…
- “Don’t expect” the Rays to make a run at Matt Harvey, writes Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Rolling the dice on reviving Harvey’s career would only make sense for the Rays if and when Harvey is released by the Mets (as opposed to working out a trade), of course, but Topkin doesn’t seem inclined to believe it’s likely in any scenario. The right-hander has posted an ERA just south of 7.00 over the past two seasons with the Mets following both Tommy John and thoracic outlet surgeries.
- Yankees right-hander Domingo German made a strong impression in his bid for a long-term rotation spot on Sunday, firing six no-hit innings in his first big league start. Manager Aaron Boone spoke to reporters after the game about the decision to pull German despite not having allowed a hit, revealing that German was actually given a bit of lenience and allowed to stay in the game beyond the pitch limit the Yankees had set on him for the game (link via Dan Martin of the New York Post). “I was hoping in the best case for five [innings] and a little more than 70 [pitches], but he was so efficient and attacking so much,” said Boone. German told the media that he was well aware of the limit he was on for the day and had no issues with being lifted from the game. With Jordan Montgomery on the shelf, the Yankees’ rotation had an opening, though German should get several more starts in that spot following Sunday’s outing. It’s nonetheless worth noting that top prospect Justus Sheffield was promoted to Triple-A over the weekend, so he may not be far off if German begins to struggle.
6 innings, same as Walker Buehler
Guess the Yankees scouts have some champagne to be poppin’
While it’s a little early to be digging a grave for the Orioles, they ought to be calculating the value of their assets, and whether those assets would be worth more now than, say, in July.
I was thinking the same thing…they should be looking to trade and get the most fro Manny….but of course some teams are probably still evaluating if their team truly needs him.
they held on to Manny to long. Should have traded him before the start of the season. instead some in the organization thought they could compete this year. Now they will be hoping some top playoff team will have a injury to drive up his value. Most of the top teams are set at 3B and SS. Dodgers sound like his most likely destination.
Dodgers really need his offensive production if this season isn’t gonna be bust having lost Seager, and Taylor falling back to earth. I think a fair deal can be made
dodgers have shown in the past they will make deals. just depends on what O’s want for him. I can see them getting 1 of the dodgers surplus OF and a good pitching prospect. add in a third prospect they should have a deal.
I don’t see LAD giving up the prospects (at least ones that pass BAL’s infamous medicals) to get Machado. Over an Angelos dead body.
No, they didn’t hold onto Manny too long; they simply didn’t get desirable value in return for him in the offseason. His value may actually be higher now.
As for Cashner and Cobb, they’ve both looked good—especially Cobb, who has had to play catch-up the first month (no Spring Training). He’s getting better with each outing, including 6IP and 1 run yesterday. Stuff looks good. As for Cashner he’s had some rough outings, and some good ones too; about what was expected. I’d hardly call either guy underperforming.
They didn’t hold on to Manny too long because they didn’t trade him before the year. They got offered Brandon Drury as the centerpiece of the deal. Which is an awful trade. They should have extended him like three years ago.
They obviously weren’t contenders this year though. Machado’s value more than likely hasn’t gone up, just look at the JD Martinez trade last year. They barely got anything of major value since they waited.
And no, Cashner has looked awful as expected. In illusions of his sub 3 ERA performance last year was a bad gamble to take. Cobb has also looked terrible, but I’m willing to give him a much longer rope since he had a late start
Machado’s value hasn’t decreased a bit from before the season to now, I can assure you of that. Dmitrios cmon buddy. You’re a super fan of the birds and that’s good and all but you gotta be a realist. Cobb has been bad but it’s too early to pass judgment because he missed ST but cmon wouldn’t say he’s underperforming? He gave up 37 hits in 17 innings or something ridiculous in his first 3 starts. That’s an absolute slaughter. Cashner has been mediocre thus far but I’ll avoid writing that off yet. It’s okay to admit when your team is failing. We are 8-26 for a reason.
I would have thought some team would have a struggling over paid reliever whom it would make sense to swap for Harvey.
Mark Melancon, come on down.
I would assume any team that is willing to try and fix him is just going to wait for him to clear waivers and be a FA, rather than having to pay over $5 million for home if they trade
I had to sit down when I saw Pedro Alvarez was starting at 3B for the Orioles this season…that pretty much told me about this state of the ballclub
Sadly he’s been their second best hitter behind Machado
I didn’t mean to degrade his hitting, which has been really good, just his D. He’d make a fine DH
Well he’s not the starter per se, he’s covering for injuries.
He hit a home run yesterday, so his hitting isn’t bad. His fielding is atrocious though.
Dodgers should really go after Machado. Barnes has really struggled this season, and with Grandals success and Farmer not being far behind, could they use barnes as trade bait?
For what? Machado? No.
German has been impressive. I wouldve let him go a little longer but 6 no hit innings is still a very great performance. Wonder how Montgomery would re-enter the picture if German keeps up the way he’s keeping up. You know, for all the talk that the Yankees need to get another SP, Im having trouble finding out where #5 Montgomery will slot in after he returns. Gray to be traded to make room for a different SP? Just wait until CC retires and then just have Severino, Tanaka, Gray, German, Montgomery?
Why would they trade Gray when he’s finally starting to pitch a little better?
I was thinking more near trade deadline. For the talks of wanting to add another starter you have to make room. Personally, I would stick with Gray at least until the end of the season. However, if youre going to add a SP without there being any space in the rotation, you would have to make room. So im basically playing devils advocate there
If Montgomery comes back and German is simply dominating his starts then taking him back slowly and having him (Montgomery) be the long guy/spot starter would probably be the best way to go. Depth problems usually have a way of figuring itself out.
That seems like a solid plan tbh. I was thinking of employing a 6 man rotation. That way, the rotation could stay fresh for the playoffs. I was hoping to see a 6 man rotation from the Yankees if they had landed Ohtani, but maybe we’ll see one with German and Monty
Gray ain’t going nowhere, and as for German it’s one start.
The average number of SP used per team in the mlb last year was over 11. The average number of SP used that made 5+ starts was over 8. You can never have too much pitching.
Trading Sonny Gray now would be the epitome of “selling low”
The Romine thing worked well. Brought back memories of when A.J. Burnett needed a personal catcher. CC, Severino, Monty, German (who fired 6 no-hit IP)! have no problem pitching to Gary Sanchez. Only Sonny Gray Does. Give him Romine, and roll with it. I’m actually kind of excited because this is as good as I’ve seen Romine hit, in a long time and likewise to Sonny’s pitching.
Right, I wouldnt trade Sonny either at this point. I was going off of hypotheticals for how the Yankees would add another SP that everyone has been clamoring about. I honestly think the rotation is very good and does not need many upgrades until maybe after this season, when CC retires. The Yankees, however could rely on in-house options Sheffield or Adams. I was merely exploring the idea of the best way the Yankees could go about acquiring another SP.
Romine hit very well last year too when he filled in for Gary during his injury. I remember all the people calling for a new backup catcher. What hogwash.
Let’s calm down, it was a great game, but one game. Let’s see what happens through June.
I guess you missed the part where I said “If he keeps this up”. Obviously its still early and a move to bank on German keeping up the pace would be premature.
Problems in Baltimore are manifold.. Tight fisted owner that just spends money on people he likes, not people that can help the team down the road and those guys are NOT the ones Duquette wants, yet he’s forced to sign them anyway.
A farm system short on scouts in the US and international arena that also does not spend in the International area.
Too many people prancing around the FO making executive decisions who are clueless and I include Brady Anderson in that list.
It would be doing Dan Duquette a tremendous favor to let him go where he’d be free to find another job, just about any without so many fingers in the pie so to speak and meddling/infighting going on that Angelos Sr. seems to love.
If it wasn’t for some of (many) the finds Duquette is known for? this team wouldn’t have performed nearly as admirably as it has over his tenure has and think once mr needle Anderson takes over? It will all come to light how abysmaly wacko this ship will sail without him until Angelos and his cronies are gone.
Duquette and Showalter have done the best they can with what they’ve had to work with in that madhouse. If either are offered an extension they should quietly decline. It’s very difficult to predict what will happen in the next hour in this organization much less what, if anything, they’ll do leading up to the deadline. Not even the notoriously unstable Jeffrey Loria had a penchant for cutting off his nose to spite his face the way Angelos does. Doesn’t matter who winds up in that FO or manager’s seat, this organization will be a royal mess until the Angelos’ sell the team.
Agreed. Too many chefs in the kitchen and not enough structure in the organization. Curious where Duquette and Showalter would end up were they to leave Baltimore.
O’s need to move on from Duquette and redefine the philosophy in Baltimore. They need to rebuild and prioritize players who have strong on-base percentages, are patient at the plate and, put simply, good all-around hitters. The game has changed and having a lineup 1 through 9 of guys who are only good for the home run does not cut in anymore and will not win championships.