Hi Connor, I always enjoy your insights. I am excited about the future contributions of Kjersted and Mayo but wonder if the team is underestimating Santander's value especially for next year. I believe he has averaged approx. 35 home runs and 95 RBI the last 3 years. He is not some guy who had one big year as his contract expired. Having that dangerous bat in the lineup has helped Gunnar and Adley's development just as Eddie Murray's bat helped Cal. Having Santander batting behind you means you see better pitches. Santander's game has improved year after year. He learned how to take care of his body as well and has had less injuries. Doesn't this remind you of Nelson Cruz? Cruz got better and better, had his best years after age 30. I think Santander is a continuous learner and will continue to improve as well as lift the guys around him just as Cruz did in his brief time here for Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop. His value goes beyond his statistics. What do you think?
I hate to watch him bat in important situations, but you may be right. Another factor: who can they get for his price. I doubt they can steal Teoscar Hernandez from the Dodgers.
I think Orioles should focus their financial resources solely on pitching and hope that their young hitters make that next step. I think Kjerstad can be great he just needs regular AB’s.
Hey Connor, mailbag question for the future. As the O's are down to 1 open 40 man spot with more players likely to be added, wondering if you could rank the most likely to be DFA'd this offseason. I have Baker, Rivera, Cameron, and Pinto as they are fringe players without options (at least according to FanGraphs).
2nd (maybe better) question, rank who has the most to least starts for the O's in 2025 between this group - Kremer, Saurez, Young, McDermott, Povich, and Rogers.
I'd love for both Kjerstad and Mayo to have much larger roles in 2025. I'm going to get crap for this, but I'm just not a huge O'Hearn fan. He's exceeded expectations and turned his career around for certain, but his power dropped significantly in '24 and his August/September/Postseason numbers for both '23 and '24 drop from the beginning of the season. I liked him as a fringe bat off the bench and able to fill in more for injuries but I think Kjerstad should move above him who gets more consistent playing time in '25, Heston's ceiling is too high to keep him out of the lineup. Also, O'Hearn is a bad defender, his versatility for 1B/OF can be useful but should only be in the field regularly due to injury to another player. I would have no problem with Mayo not being an everyday player to start the year. Starts against lefties, maybe some time in RF/LF depending on other OF's brought in and def time at 1B. Let Mayo work in more as the year goes along.
Hi Connor, I always enjoy your insights. I am excited about the future contributions of Kjersted and Mayo but wonder if the team is underestimating Santander's value especially for next year. I believe he has averaged approx. 35 home runs and 95 RBI the last 3 years. He is not some guy who had one big year as his contract expired. Having that dangerous bat in the lineup has helped Gunnar and Adley's development just as Eddie Murray's bat helped Cal. Having Santander batting behind you means you see better pitches. Santander's game has improved year after year. He learned how to take care of his body as well and has had less injuries. Doesn't this remind you of Nelson Cruz? Cruz got better and better, had his best years after age 30. I think Santander is a continuous learner and will continue to improve as well as lift the guys around him just as Cruz did in his brief time here for Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop. His value goes beyond his statistics. What do you think?
I hate to watch him bat in important situations, but you may be right. Another factor: who can they get for his price. I doubt they can steal Teoscar Hernandez from the Dodgers.
I think Orioles should focus their financial resources solely on pitching and hope that their young hitters make that next step. I think Kjerstad can be great he just needs regular AB’s.
Just want to say thank you for all your hard work. I really appreciate the research you do!!! Go O’s!!
Hey Connor, mailbag question for the future. As the O's are down to 1 open 40 man spot with more players likely to be added, wondering if you could rank the most likely to be DFA'd this offseason. I have Baker, Rivera, Cameron, and Pinto as they are fringe players without options (at least according to FanGraphs).
2nd (maybe better) question, rank who has the most to least starts for the O's in 2025 between this group - Kremer, Saurez, Young, McDermott, Povich, and Rogers.
@@petenice36 good question. Whatever Connor says will be smarter, but I'd guess Kremer > Povich > Suarez > McDermott > Rogers > Young.
I'd love for both Kjerstad and Mayo to have much larger roles in 2025. I'm going to get crap for this, but I'm just not a huge O'Hearn fan. He's exceeded expectations and turned his career around for certain, but his power dropped significantly in '24 and his August/September/Postseason numbers for both '23 and '24 drop from the beginning of the season. I liked him as a fringe bat off the bench and able to fill in more for injuries but I think Kjerstad should move above him who gets more consistent playing time in '25, Heston's ceiling is too high to keep him out of the lineup. Also, O'Hearn is a bad defender, his versatility for 1B/OF can be useful but should only be in the field regularly due to injury to another player. I would have no problem with Mayo not being an everyday player to start the year. Starts against lefties, maybe some time in RF/LF depending on other OF's brought in and def time at 1B. Let Mayo work in more as the year goes along.
I say deal Santander and Mountcastle, keep Kjerstad + Mayo.
They're the future.
I would have included Jackson Holiday on this list, maybe Norby and Stowers if you go outside the norm. Coby Mayo was exceedingly bad.
Why not go for the Japanese pitcher Sasaki? You can afford him easily. still enough money to get another pitcher.
Keep Burnes, deal Santander (sad face) and put Kjerstad in right.