1. As we all come out of hibernation and rub our eyes to awaken before baseball season, let’s not be too afraid of what we’re expected to encounter as Orioles fans. This one is going to be rough. Like, really rough. Let’s also remember that baseball is fun, and actually, already underway. The Mariners and A’s have taken care of that over in Japan with a pair of regular season games.
2. The only thing I’ve been able to think about regarding the 2019 Orioles thus far is how painful it’s going to be to watch them. That may sound grim, but if you read on, it can get even worse! When I look at how this offseason has unfolded, it makes me feel confused and saddened to think what could’ve been. Seeing massive contracts signed by Manny Machado in San Diego and Bryce Harper in Philadelphia was odd. Especially after a second straight offseason where there was such little movement otherwise.
We still have a few prominent free agents without contracts and the season is upon us. But what’s really caught my eye this offseason are the number of extensions being given to players ahead of them reaching free agency. There’s a lot of looking into the future for these players and these teams. Mike Trout broke the bank with his record-breaking extension with the Angels. Nolan Arenado got a big deal in Colorado. The Astros have extended Alex Bregman ahead of his free agency as well.
Perhaps the timing wasn’t right a few years ago, but it just makes me wonder what would’ve changed had the dominoes fallen correctly with Machado in Baltimore. Even the Chicago White Sox are stepping up with an extension for their 22-year-old prospect Eloy Jimenez, who has yet to record a Major League at-bat.
The landscape is changing quickly when it comes to the economics of baseball. It just seems they changed a hair too late for the Orioles.
GulfBird Sports/Craig Landefeld
3. I was a bit surprised to see the Orioles grant Alcides Escobar his outright release yesterday, but it didn’t blow me away. I figured he had a very good shot to make the roster entering spring training, but it’s obvious the O’s want more youth. Escobar, 32, is a former All-Star who could’ve provided experience in an infield looking for some.
But instead, the Birds are now likely to keep their two Rule 5 selections. Richie Martin and Drew Jackson have a combined zero games at shortstop in the big leagues, but it won’t stop the Orioles from sticking either out there. In past seasons with Rule 5 selections, the Orioles have made a conscious effort to hide players. Think Joey Rickard or Anthony Santander, or even go back as far as Jason Garcia, Ryan Flaherty or T.J. McFarland. They are all guys the O’s wanted to keep around, but didn’t let them see much of the field.
Under this new regime, that may be different with Martin and Jackson. It also may be out of necessity.
4. While I’m full of dread about what this season can and will become for the Orioles, there are some things we should be able to learn over the course of 162 games. Martin and Jackson, for example, will be under the microscope. At this point for the O’s, it’s all about seeing who can actually play at this level. For that matter, it’s about seeing who can provide value as a trade chip to acquire more capital moving this project forward.
One of the biggest parts of that project in my mind is Cedric Mullins. It started late last year when he took over in center field for Adam Jones, but now is the opportunity for Mullins to really prove whether he can be that guy. He led off last night’s game against the Red Sox with a homer. He’s going to be run out there for a full season and it’s going to be interesting to see if he can provide any indication as to whether he’s a guy to build on, or move on from.
5. There’s been a lot of bluster about the over/under for the Orioles being set at 59.5 by many sportsbooks. Something tells me they hit the over, as bad as things may seem. After winning just 47 games a year ago when absolutely everything went wrong, the ball is bound to bounce differently this year.
Pythagorean wins last year had the O’s at 54 while BaseRuns wins projections had them at 56. They massively underachieved their metrics after massively overachieving them for a few years. There’s definitely some sort of new enthusiasm with this team, having a new coaching staff and front office. While there isn’t much talent, that has to account for something.
Instead of buckling up for the 2019 season, it’s time to strap in. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.
