Reality: With the Cubs and Indians making it to the World Series, the Orioles now have the 5th longest World Series drought.
Perception: The Washington Nationals (Montreal Expos) franchise has the longest World Series appearance drought now. They have never been to the Series since their franchise began in 1969.
The Seattle Mariners started in 1977 and have never been to the World Series. The Pittsburgh Pirates haven’t been there since 1979 and the Milwaukee Brewers since 1982.
The O’s are next on that list, having not made it to the World Series since 1983.
Basically, anyone under the age of 40 doesn’t really know the Orioles as a World Series team. They have been close over the last couple of years, but they have not been able to get over the hump in the AL Playoffs yet. The O’s have been on a great run the last few years, but let’s hope they can win a Pennant before the window, as they say, closes.
Reality: Pitching Coach Dave Wallace, along with Bullpen Coach Dom Chiti, and Assistant Hitting Coach Mark Quinn will not return to the Orioles coaching staff.
#orioles now have 2 openings on coaching staff. Bullpen coach Dom Chiti going to #braves as director of pitching. Dave Wallace joining him.
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) November 2, 2016
Perception: This is not great news for the Orioles. This kind of turnover in a coaching staff is not ideal for a team trying to get back to the playoffs.
Wallace was semi-retiring, as he no longer wanted to be a full-time, every day coach. But then losing Chiti also is a big blow. These two coaches were instrumental in the Birds pitchers, especially the bullpen, turning into one of the tops in the league. Darren O’Day and Zach Britton are not fans of this change. Plus, it only looks worse when Chiti says he called Dan Duquette three times about a new contract with the Orioles, but DD never returned his call.
Not a great start to an important offseason for the O’s.
Reality: Matt Wieters is now a free agent but the Orioles have until Sunday to extend him a Qualifying Offer.
Perception: Is Wieters worth $17.2 million for next year? That’s the risk the Orioles take if they extend their catcher a qualifying offer and he accepts it. If they extend it and he rejects it and signs elsewhere, they would get a draft pick as compensation.
Is Wieters the best catcher out there? No, but he is the best option for the Orioles. He handles the pitching staff well. Defensively, he is still near the top of the league, if not quite what he once was. If the O’s let him walk, they lose a lot at the backstop position. And the options to replace him are not appealing.
He may not return to Baltimore in a home jersey again, but the Orioles need to at least extend the QO.
Reality: Mark Trumbo is now a free agent but the Orioles have until Sunday to extend him a Qualifying Offer.
Perception: The 2016 Home Run King is ready to cash in on his big year at the plate and the Orioles will, most likely, not be able to compete for his services. But unlike Wieters, there is no discussion at all. The O’s have to offer Trumbo a Qualifying Offer.
Losing both Trumbo and Wieters would be a big blow to this powerful offense. The only way that you could make a positive out of losing them both would be to get a couple of good draft picks from it, as well as signing a couple of quality on-base percentage guys. You aren’t going to replace their HRs, so lets get the next best thing and pick up a couple hitters who will get on base.
[cardoza_wp_poll id=”157″]
0 Responses
Mets fan here.
There’s been some talk among Mets fans about Wieters being a possible free agent target of the club. Surprised that half of your poll respondents think he’s worth a qualifying offer. That’s a lot of money for a guy who’s had injury problems and in his last two healthy years seems to be a bit less than what he once was.
I know that’s not much more than he got last year. Still, don’t think I would do that.
I’m curious as to how many people think if he was extended the QO – if he would take it. I’m sure Wieters and his agent have visions of the Brian McCann free agent contract dancing in their head. But McCann entered FA with a better profile. And I’m sure the Yankees would like to be out from that obligation now.
Thanks for the article!