Since they lost last night, I need to tell you what I REALLY feel about the 2021 Sox!

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Fun fact:

 

Based on playing the most teams who have an above .500 record, the O's have had the toughest schedule in MLB so far this season.

[mvp 78]

I'm almost alwayd for adding and ace as the best way to take a major step forward. The cost has gone through the roof, and the Price example is fair warning, but sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do.

 

I'm not sure, if this winter is the right time, and many of the best starters are over 37, so maybe we'll see a shorter term deal with one of them in hopes of bridging us to the next ace.

 

You jump and overpay the right guys. Price was not one of them.

[moonslav59]

Having just played the O's, which rookie, Dalbec or Mountcastle, do you guys believe will develop into the better hitter?

 

While Mountcastle is younger, I like Dalbec's career OBP better.

 

Mountcastle just turned 24 and has a .328 OBP in the minors, although it was .344 in AAA.

 

Dalbec turns 26, soon, but he has a .363 OBP in the minors.

[mvp 78]

Agreed.

 

I'd call up Santana, Arauz, and even Ockimey before the big 3 prospects.

 

Ockimey would have to hit first. It hasn't looked good so far. Would they consider promoting mediocre Tate Matheny since he can play all over the place and it's not going to affect his development?

[mvp 78]

Having just played the O's, which rookie, Dalbec or Mountcastle, do you guys believe will develop into the better hitter?

 

Mountcastle

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

The AL East, imho, is going to be the toughest division in MLB. So far, there's no cupcakes in the East.

[mvp 78]

Good discussion on the pitching, which to me has been better than expected. But, as you all seem to agree, can it hold up, especially the rotation? Meanwhile the bullpen is leaking runs almost every game.

 

Every year, or almost every year, the hitting seems to be good, the pitching less so--and this year more than ever. Hitting is #1 in MLB and pitching is #14.

 

Again, this pen is a top 10 pen.

[moonslav59]

You jump and overpay the right guys. Price was not one of them.

 

At the time, I felt Price had the record to be as good as anyone who had come along in a long time, with the possible exception of Scherzer, who was there the year before, but even Scherzer's record wasn't as good over a longer time period.

 

I thought it was an overpay, but that's a given when signing an ace, but I felt it was needed and would work out better than it did.

 

I'm just glad we were able to dump half his contract those last 3 years on his deal.

[mvp 78]

Fun fact:

 

Based on playing the most teams who have an above .500 record, the O's have had the toughest schedule in MLB so far this season.

 

Interesting. I don't see the Orioles making a big jump in the standings this year. They have some interesting players, but are still very mediocre.

[mvp 78]

The AL East, imho, is going to be the toughest division in MLB. So far, there's no cupcakes in the East.

 

According to jacko, the O's and Sox were supposed to be lightweights. Hasn't quite worked out that way.

[mvp 78]

At the time, I felt Price had the record to be as good as anyone who had come along in a long time, with the possible exception of Scherzer, who was there the year before, but even Scherzer's record wasn't as good over a longer time period.

 

I thought it was an overpay, but that's a given when signing an ace, but I felt it was needed and would work out better than it did.

 

I'm just glad we were able to dump half his contract those last 3 years on his deal.

 

Maybe he would have been perceived as having more value if he didn't have those arm troubles?

[moonslav59]

Ockimey would have to hit first. It hasn't looked good so far. Would they consider promoting mediocre Tate Matheny since he can play all over the place and it's not going to affect his development?

 

He's only had 19 ABs, this year.

 

He's a lefty killer, but the bad part is that he's on the wrong end of a possible Dalbec platoon.

[moonslav59]

Interesting. I don't see the Orioles making a big jump in the standings this year. They have some interesting players, but are still very mediocre.

 

Even if Means pitches a no hitter every time out, they'd probably still finish last.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

While Mountcastle is younger, I like Dalbec's career OBP better.

 

Mountcastle just turned 24 and has a .328 OBP in the minors, although it was .344 in AAA.

 

Dalbec turns 26, soon, but he has a .363 OBP in the minors.

 

They're both power RH's and equally strong. It should be interesting to compare them as the season moves along.

Edited May 11, 2021 by SPLENDIDSPLINTER

[Bellhorn04]

At the time, I felt Price had the record to be as good as anyone who had come along in a long time, with the possible exception of Scherzer, who was there the year before, but even Scherzer's record wasn't as good over a longer time period.

 

I thought it was an overpay, but that's a given when signing an ace, but I felt it was needed and would work out better than it did.

 

I'm just glad we were able to dump half his contract those last 3 years on his deal.

 

I regret the Pablo/Hanley/Castillo signings much more than the Price signing. At least Price made contributions to success.

[moonslav59]

I regret the Pablo/Hanley/Castillo signings much more than the Price signing. At least Price made contributions to success.

 

What's even worse is that had we signed Scherzer instead of Pablo/HRam/Castillo, we wouldn't have signed Price the next year!

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Interesting. I don't see the Orioles making a big jump in the standings this year. They have some interesting players, but are still very mediocre.

 

 

From what I've seen their biggest strength is their BP. Like I posted earlier about how tough the AL East could be, even the team that finishes last will not be easy to beat.

What ever team finishes first in that division, it will definitely be a struggle.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

What's even worse is that had we signed Scherzer instead of Pablo/HRam/Castillo, we wouldn't have signed Price the next year!

 

 

Well, the SOX did win a WS with Price. Some GM's would say that's worth the price. No pun intended.

[notin]

Fun fact:

 

Based on playing the most teams who have an above .500 record, the O's have had the toughest schedule in MLB so far this season.

 

How many of those teams have used games against the Orioles to get over .500?

[notin]

I regret the Pablo/Hanley/Castillo signings much more than the Price signing. At least Price made contributions to success.

 

One can only wonder what might have been had Ramirez not hurt his shoulder. Dude looked like an MVP after his first month in Boston...

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

How many of those teams have used games against the Orioles to get over .500?

 

They played against teams that were already over .500.

[moonslav59]

Well, the SOX did win a WS with Price. Some GM's would say that's worth the price. No pun intended.

 

It’s hard to think we’d have lost without him.

[moonslav59]

aren’t we like 5-5 vs the O’s?

 

I’m not sure playing them a lot is why we have the best record in MLB.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

It’s hard to think we’d have lost without him.

 

I wasn't the biggest Price fan, but he did perform well in the WS.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

aren’t we like 5-5 vs the O’s?

 

I’m not sure playing them a lot is why we have the best record in MLB.

 

 

6-4 against the O's.

[moonslav59]

I wasn't the biggest Price fan, but he did perform well in the WS.

 

Yes, he did, and I am grateful for that. I still find it hard to imagine us losing without him.

[moonslav59]

6-4 against the O's.

 

Yes, .600 vs the O’s and .620 vs everyone else.

 

If you combine the O’s with the Rangers...

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I do remember distinctly that a week after the SOX signed Price, the Nats signed Scherzer. Oh, well, hindsight is golden.

[dgalehouse]

Kind of strange that we have played the Orioles ten times and have yet to play the Yankees. Did MLB set the schedule to build the rivalry until more fans are allowed in the park ? Was that the thinking when they made the schedule or is it just coincidence?

[moonslav59]

Kind of strange that we have played the Orioles ten times and have yet to play the Yankees. Did MLB set the schedule to build the rivalry until more fans are allowed in the park ? Was that the thinking when they made the schedule or is it just coincidence?

 

I'm thinking they wanted to limit mixing up all the teams, in case one team came down with a rash of COVID cases.

 

It seems like all year, we play teams twice within 10 days.