his is a weekly column that dives into some random thoughts about the Orioles/MLB. I used to do eight as a nod to Cal Ripken Jr. As of last year, I cut it down to four or five, so consider it the Earl Weaver–Brooks Robinson era of Thursday Thoughts. – A.S.
1. Some might tell you it’s best to start with the bad and end with the good. Who wants to end on bad? No one wants that taste in their mouth. But today, we are going to kick off the “Thoughts” with a good thing. It’s a very good thing, and something the Orioles deserve more praise than they are even getting for.
Monday’s announcement of “Kids Cheer Free” program is being met with a ton of adulation, and for good reason. It’s a fantastic idea that probably should be implemented by all MLB teams. I saw a ton of people being cynical when it comes to this announcement, saying that it’s no wonder the Orioles are doing this because they are sure to have plenty of empty seats this year. I’m not going to be that guy on this.
The O’s did something good and deserve the respect for it. I am not the type to say baseball has a big problem with fans, but this is at least a good way to attract a younger audience.
2. When it comes to the bad news involving the Orioles, they STILL have yet to do anything meaningful to help them on the field in the last few weeks. Lance Lynn isn’t coming to Baltimore to pitch after signing a one-year, $12-million deal with the Twins. The only real arm out there yet to sign a deal is Alex Cobb, and I wouldn’t bet your mortgage on him joining the O’s either.
Each day I wake up thinking how nice it would be to have Cobb slotted into the Orioles rotation, which still looks fairly abysmal. Then I realize it’s nice to keep having dreams, but it’s also nice to live in reality. Cobb would fit nicely in the mix with Dylan Bundy, Kevin Gausman, Andrew Cashner and whatever mix of Chris Tillman and others that want to fill the final spot.
Remember that the Orioles still don’t have five proven starting pitchers. Cobb would only give them that, and nothing more.
GulfBird Sports/Craig Landefeld
3. We’re exactly two weeks out from Opening Day as of today, and there are a few bruised Birds to discuss. The main one is first baseman Chris Davis, who received a cortisone shot in his elbow over the weekend. He hasn’t played in a Grapefruit League game since March 2 and could be in doubt to start the year. Buck Showalter said yesterday that Davis isn’t a candidate yet for the DL, but at this point that has to be at least in the realm of possibility.
Mark Trumbo, who would likely play first base in Davis’ absence, returned to the lineup yesterday as the DH. Trumbo had not played since March 6 with a quad injury. He is another one to monitor as the season draws closer. Davis and Trumbo being injured would drastically change the complexion of the roster for Opening Day. For now, it seems like that could be avoided.
Zach Britton surely won’t be on the roster to start the season, but he seems to be ahead of schedule in his rehab for his Achilles injury. The bullpen won’t be in shambles in his absence, but he could provide a real nice mid-season boost to the relief staff.
4. We all know that Major League Baseball is doing everything it can to shorten games. This year, they’ve limited the number of mound visits in an effort to speed things up. It’s the latest effort in the “like my sport” charade that baseball is going through. Baseball, like soccer and hockey, wants you to watch. They will do anything they can to get you to tune in and they know that a game that is over three hours long isn’t going to keep your attention.
Except, baseball fans enjoy watching baseball. If the game is compelling, they will watch.
Now, Minor League Baseball is taking things even further. In addition to limiting mound visits and continuing with a pitch clock (now at 15 seconds with no runners on base), MiLB is going to start with a runner on 2nd base in extra innings. This is perhaps the most asinine thing I’ve ever heard of, and it actually (and irrationally) angers me.
MLB typically uses MiLB to test these things out before moving them to the bigs, but I can’t imagine this idea actually getting to the top level of the game.
his is a weekly column that dives into some random thoughts about the Orioles/MLB. I used to do eight as a nod to Cal Ripken Jr. This year, I’ll be cutting it down to four or five, so consider it the Earl Weaver–Brooks Robinson era of Thursday Thoughts. – A.S. If it did, I could absolutely imagine the Orioles somehow squandering every chance they get with a runner at 2nd base and no outs.
