Chicago White Sox

Sure, but why are those the only options?

At the very least we should try to add one of those players before settling on Nova. We couldn’t even get a solid lottery ticket for him two weeks ago, there isn’t going to be a massive market for a guy who doesn’t strike anyone out in the juiced ball era.

While Abreu’s game is definitely starting to slow down, it seems his immediate demise was vastly overstated around here. IMO, he can still be a solid piece for the next season or two if used correctly (DHing more than 1B, resting against tough RHPs, not automatically the 3/4 hole hitter).

He’s 33 years old and should theoretically be getting worse each and every year. We definitely need pitching depth, but let’s aim a bit higher than a scrap heap innings eater.

I just don’t get it, during this “hot streak” since the break he’s struck out a whopping 4.3 batters per nine with a very flukey HR rate leading to an xFIP over 5.00. Given he’ll be 33 in January, we should explore every and all alternatives before even thinking of settling for him.

We should hurry up and sign Nova to an extension before he prices himself out of our range!!

I’m sorry, but is that suggesting our OPS out of the DH slot this year is .572?

Any potential names of interest? The only ones that kind of make sense to me off the top of my head that wouldn’t automatically require an untouchable are Nimmo, Polanco, & Mazara.

Cole is getting $200M+, so much more than a third of what Machado is getting.

I just don’t think any of this sustainable. He’s literally striking no one out. That won’t lead to success in the long-run. And as someone else pointed out, we couldn’t even get a lottery ticket for him two weeks ago. We shouldn’t be buying into the smoke & mirrors driving his success right now.

Yes this. He is not built for the juiced ball era.

IMO, bringing back a guy who strikes out less than 6 per 9 innings would be the definition of insanity. We should strive higher, even at the long reliever spot.

Lol...why do you keep lumping Rutherford in with Robert & Eloy?

That’s a good question!

Luis Gonzalez has been pretty good the past month or so. While the BB & K rates have been solid all year, he’s finally starting to make some loud contact. He should start 2020 in AAA and it will be interesting to see how he responds to the juiced ball and the bandbox the Knights play in.

And ground rule double for Gavin just now!

LuGo bomb & Rutherford with another single.

Honestly? Probably that he lost some motivation after signing a $300M deal. That wouldn’t be the first time that’s happened. I certainly don’t think a guy being intense or even a dick on the field means he displaying roid rage...that’s simply ridiculous. And Davis got busted for Adderall, much different than injecting your body with steroids. That’s a serious reach IMO.

Ok, so you’re basing this entire claim on one subpar season? Obviously it couldn’t be a million other things like playing hurt, struggling to adjust to NL pitching in his first full season in the league, playing half his games at Petco, signing a $300M deal in the offseason and losing motivation, etc. By default it has to be steroids wearing off...got it! So you’ve explained why you think Machado is juicing, what’s your reasoning for believing the rest of the Orioles were juicing?

I’m actually ok with Goins getting some playing time (especially while Yoan is out) as he might be a halfway decent reserve IF next year, which is something we’ll actually need with Yolmer playing & pricing himself out of consideration for that role. That being said, Mendick has a chance to be more of a long-term bench solution and should be getting a look as well. He doesn’t really seem like he has much else to accomplish in AAA and is already on the older side to your point.

But why? What evidence do you have?

Not sure that’s automatically true. I agree that Rendon would be a riskier target, but he’s also a better player than Harper and arguably Machado.

Why in the world do you think he was juicing?

Rutherford single followed by Sheets triple. Stay hot Gavin!!

Nope, looks like you were right and that 1st round picks are no longer part of the penalty equation.