Don’t know concerning the O’s transferring Mountcastle both.
What I see the O’s attempting to do is packaging a number of first rate prospects – however not their greatest – together with O’Hearn for a veteran beginning pitcher. A number of issues:
The pitcher doesn’t need to be a star, he will be an innings eater. Not in contrast to what Kyle Gibson did for them in 2023 however with sufficient within the tank together with contract management to be a mid-level starter for them via 2025. A veteran pitcher coming from a poor workforce will discover it simple to pitch and win in entrance of that robust O’s D, to say nothing of the run assist. The O’s don’t must go after a top-tier pitcher. Crucial factor is that they want somebody that’s constant and seems to be wholesome sufficient to get via a year-and-a-third for them.
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They’ll afford to commerce O’Hearn as they have already got LH bats in Cowser and Kjerstad that may play the nook OF (Cowser also can play CF). Add in that Elias not too long ago mentioned Holliday – one other LF bat – can be up for the stretch run, so O’Hearn’s bat is just not actually wanted. If they need an LH bat to play 1B and sit Mountcastle for a recreation, Santander will be moved in from RF. (O’s plan forward – Santander has performed 1B for them.)
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Two apparent prospects that may be moved as they seem like blocked are Sowers and Norby. Respectable, high quality younger gamers to construct with in addition to get some manufacturing in 2024.
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Now, a workforce such because the Mariners could be good. They get a younger 2B for the stretch run, and a solid-run producing bat that may DH, play 1B or RF. Sowers they could be capable of use or may transfer on. However certainly they don’t surrender one in all their high 3 beginning pitchers for a bundle like that, so it might be {that a} third workforce would must be concerned.
