How The Orioles Can GO ALL-IN This Offseason | Playing GM

How The Orioles Can GO ALL-IN This Offseason | Playing GM

we get right into it. I’m thinking about a lot of things. I got all the moves ready. We got to talk about payroll. We got to talk about the guys who have already left. I have so much on my mind I can’t even intro it. >> Yeah, I’m ready to go. This is these are two teams that are like they’re swinging big and they already have, but they’re not done. And I think that again, that’s what makes it really interesting. >> Let’s go. So, let’s talk Baltimore. So, I think it’s important to talk about who’s leaving. Not a lot. Zack Efflin, Tomyuki Shagano. Um, they both are potential free agents. Doesn’t seem likely that the Orioles are going to resign these guys. And I know I brought five moves for the Orioles to make this off season in addition to all the moves that they make. Did any of the moves factor in Efflin or Shagano? Do you want to resign them? Um, no. Me neither. >> I’m okay. Um, Efflin is a consideration, but I think at this point they might as well be better off maybe trying >> something else with somebody else. So, I I I didn’t really look at either of those guys as as bring back candidates. >> And the rivalry between um myself and Chagano, we’ll see if he uh gets into Major League Baseball, but I am still open. If if he wants, >> he can come get it. 10 pitches. I still think I could get two or three hits. I think I’d hit about 300 against him. I’m not even talking about hitting one. >> Yeah, it’s fair. >> You’re talking about putting up legitimate abs. That’s what I thought. That’s what I thought. >> I’m going to try to make this happen. Honestly, it we might not be able to pull it off until he’s 50. And even then, I still think 0 for 10. So, I’m looking forward to that. >> I think we’re I’d set my light at over two and a half. I think a lot of people would be on the under. All right, let’s talk about the moves that they’ve already made. traded Grayson Rodriguez to the Angels in exchange for Taylor Ward. Now, we’ve already talked about that deal at length, but has it sat with you a little bit more where you can start to understand where the Orioles were coming from? Because at the time, we didn’t like the move. We like Taylor Ward. It really has nothing to do with him. It’s just about trading Grayson Rodriguez, right? >> Four years of him, right, for one year. No, still no. But like if if the goal is, you know, if they think they can win the World Series next year, which, you know, the subsequent moves have helped position them as a team that reasonably could do it, and they plan to go add more pitching, which we’re going to do here, then I think it can make a little bit more sense, right? Like, like we’ve talked about, it’s not always, you’re not always going to be able to maximize every asset, but if you get a player that you really think can help you and you’re going to replace that player that you moved or that player that you moved isn’t as essential to you, then, you know, I can understand it. So, we’re going to workshop some some different ways to get more pitching there. And I think that can help it make more sense. Like, if the Orioles did what they did in the past where they just don’t address the pitching staff the way that you expect, then I think it makes that trade even more frustrating. But I think all indications are clearly that they’re going to do more as though they’ve already shown that this is a different we kept saying like I’ll believe it when I see it. We’re seeing it now with the O’s, right? Like the Pete Alonzo thing I think in itself just kind of opened our eyes like okay, they’re they’re they’re playing a different game this offseason. So, I I I think they’re going to replace that G-rod spot in the rotation. And, you know, I think how they do that will will help justify the trade. >> You already said it. Definition of seeing it. Pete Alonzo, 5 years, $155 million, $31 million a year to be the new first baseman of the Baltimore Orioles, pushing Ryan Mount Castle to the bench. And we might talk about potentially trading Ryan Mount Castle. They also signed Ryan Hley to a two-year $28 million deal to be the new closer of the Baltimore Orioles. But when you look at their current bullpen situation, we’d certainly like to add a few more relievers, especially with Felix Bautista, his availability for 2026 being completely in the air. You hope that you can see him at some point, but I think most likely we won’t. Have you heard anything about that? >> I don’t think so. Yeah, was multiple issues with the shoulder. I Yeah. Yeah, I I I I hope they said it’s still possible, but I don’t think you can bank on it, right? >> Yeah, we’re not banking on that. And then last, uh, but not least, I mean, I guess the Orioles have made some good moves so far, so technically it would be least, but I think bringing in Andrew Kitridge, uh, from the Cubs for just cash considerations is a good bullpen arm to have, right? They’ve already, you know, had Andrew Kitridge on their team. He’s performed for them. He’s one of those Grizzly veterans. He pitched well for the Cubs last year. He was a part of this kind of makeshift bullpen that not a lot of us believed in, but then they just kept pitching well and now you bring him in for cash. I mean, that’s an objective good move, I believe. >> Yep. Yeah. No downside there, right? And but I think that’s a guy that you’re looking at and saying, “Okay, I like him in middle relief, but uh we may need some more help at at leverage here.” I don’t know about what what your plan is, but I’m still looking at these leverage spots and I want to move him down. I want to move Kitrich down in the pecking order a little bit. And no offense to him. Yeah, I think great ad had a great year. wouldn’t be a bad option to bump him down to the seventh maybe. >> But it’s also it’s not even about bumping him down, which I would like to and we will do when we come up with all of our moves. But I’d also just like to add more relievers to this bullpen because when you look at it, the starting rotation could use one piece, definitely, maybe even two. The lineup looks pretty set to me, but the bullpen, I mean, Michaelas can go crazy and he doesn’t have to sign any big time names. he can go bargain hunting. And I’m sure you have moves, I have moves, and that’s what we’re going to go over. But real quick, before that, their current payroll right now is about 140 million. But I think it’s important to note that their 2025 payroll was 160 million. So they definitely have room to work with just to be at what they were last year. And is it okay to go over what they did last year? Orioles fans, Dave Rubenstein, Michaelas, can we spend a little bit more than last year? We don’t have to go up to the luxury tax threshold or anything like that. We don’t even have to get up to 200 million, but can we get up to 180 million arm? Is that fair? Is that okay? I >> I think so. And it by all accounts, it seems like that something that they’ve been open to doing. So, let’s let’s see it happen, right? I I think I think especially when you look at the financial commitments that they even have like even like a Tyler O’Neal like he’ll be off the books in a couple years. So y I Taylor Ward will be off the books after this year and that’s you know salary that they acquired. Um I I think you’re going to have to pay some of your guys obviously down the line, but you don’t have to pay them yet and you’re probably still not going to pay all of them. So yeah, I I think we we can we can spend a little bit here. >> Let’s spend a little bit. You know, it’s around Christmas time, Hanukkah time. It’s around the holidays. Let’s spend a little bit of money. Uh and money that’s not ours is always the uh most entertaining thing. Let’s talk about the number one move on your wish list because my guess is we both want to get a big-time starting pitcher. Did you go towards the free agency route or the trade route? Because my first one is going towards the trade route and I’d like to spend some of that money on the bullpen. >> Yeah. >> And I got a couple other moves that are going to cost money. So, I think in this realm, looking at the potential free agent starting pitchers and knowing that the Orioles have a cluster of not only great prospects in the system, >> but guys like Kobe Mayo who don’t really have a spot in this current lineup or Ryan Mount Castle or any of these guys, it makes the most sense to trade for a starter rather than signing a starter. >> Yeah. I mean, I I think from that exact perspective, like if Kobe Mayo, you’re shopping Mayo around and he’s not getting you the the like he’s not able to headline a piece for a starter or yeah, headline a package for a starter that you you were hoping for, then of course maybe you can pivot to, you know, the the free agency side of things. But I I think one, Kobe Mayo can headline a package for a starter. And two, I think the Orioles need to figure out what they’re going to do there in terms of, you know, I don’t think you can go back, you can go into this 2026 season with Kobe Mayo and Triple A again. Like you just I just don’t think that would make any sense. But right now, when you look at the roster, I I don’t really know where he fits in. So I I I went the trade route as well because I just I think you got to you got to move Mayo. You you you have the clear needs. We just talked about sometimes teams you got to, you know, trade for 70 cents on the dollar. it may be better off than waiting and, you know, moving a guy for 50 cents on the dollar because is he kind of goes stale in this tweener role like we saw with Harry Ford. I I I think this is a spot where you got to convert Mayo into pitching. >> Yeah, I agree. And I’m also really excited to talk about these moves because when we finish playing general manager for the Baltimore Orioles, we’re not going to have two different trades for two big-time starters. I know Orioles fans would obviously like that, but we’re trying to base this episode in reality. It is unlikely that they would trade for Freddy Palta and a Joe Ryan, a Pablo Lopez and a Mackenzie Gore. Let’s get one and let’s work our way down. So, I think that the perfect guy to go get is Freddy Peralta because Freddy Peralta is a guy who you can slot directly at near the top of the rotation, throws a ton of innings, incredibly reliable, and when I look at the Orioles rotation, Trevor Rogers, ton of talent. What’s his only problem staying on the field? Kyle Bradish coming off arm surgery, electric when he’s on the field. Dean Kramer I can’t have leading my team in innings. No, >> you know, and then you even go down Tyler Wells I think is talented. His problem staying on the field. Kade Povich a young an exciting arm. So far in Major League Baseball, it hasn’t really clicked for him yet. But I want just a solidified guy and the trade for him. And I’m curious if you think this is too much, too little, just right. Freddy Peralta for Kobe Mayo and Trey Gibson. the uh Orioles current best pitching prospect according to you or at least the last time it was updated on justbaseball.com. Now Orioles and the Brewers, they have past history with each other. Just a few years ago, they traded Joey Ortiz and DL Hall to the Brewers for Corbin Burns. Now, Freddy Palta is going to be very expensive because he’s only making $8 million a year. I know it’s a one-year rental, but Freddy Palta has been one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball, and he’s really, really cheap. That feels like kind of the perfect fit in a package because I just don’t know for certain if the Twins are going to trade Joe Ryan or Pablo Lopez. And with the Nationals, I think it could happen. the Brewers. I think it could happen, but I like the I like the comfortability of a Freddy Palta over a Mackenzie Gore because you’re kind of buying on that upside. Well, I want a guy who I know what I’m going to get, and that’s why I feel like Freddy Praa with this current iteration of the Orioles rotation is the best fit among the potential elite starting pitchers they could trade for. Again, it’s very similar to the the you know, Corbin Burns trade with the way that you lay it out, right? And like I think >> I think that’s what makes it probably a pretty fair package there. You know, I think Orioles fans may not want to move a Gibson there because you’re getting six years of Gibson and you know, of course, it’s it’s five plus years of Mayo, but I I think you look at the the Burns deal and and if if you had made that I think with the way that this team is set up now, too, like it’s >> it’s one that you try again and makes a lot of sense. And also, I think you got a a little bit better of a chance of retaining Freddy Peralta after this year than maybe you did with Corbin Burns. Yeah. So, I think maybe they have an inside track there to try to extend him. um or at least, you know, try to lay the groundwork to resign him after that. You know, you brought up a good point because I think one of the first trades that I just can’t really get out of my head is, you know, with the Marlins and Edward Cabrera and obviously they have some trade history there, too. >> Um, but with the injuries and there’s an inherent injury risk with everybody, but it is all relative. And you know, I have, if you ask me who I have more confidence in throwing 150 or 170 innings this coming season, I I’m not going to hesitate and tell you Freddy Peralta’s over Edward Cabrera, right? So, um, you may be able to get Edward Cabrera without giving up a Gibson, but maybe the Orioles are are willing to do that, especially in a in a deadline this past year where they recouped a lot of pitching prospects, right? Because they sold um, but they didn’t tear it down. So, I don’t know if they have anybody quite Trey Gibson caliber, but they did get a lot of interesting pitching prospects to add into the fold. So, maybe they feel okay about that. That’s the best swing for the fences move for a team that, you know, you can make the case can be a World Series contender next year with a starter and a couple relief arms. So, I mean, I love that. I love that trade. The one I was going to present was literally just going to be like Mayo and a filler for Edward Cabrera because I think for the Marlins makes a ton of sense, right? Mayo can go back to third. Clearly the Marlins are willing to be patient with offensive driven prospects who are working on their defense. I Augustine Ramirez. Um and I I I think it would be a great opportunity hometown kid, you know, could be an offensive monster for you. By a little bit low, put him at third base, develop him there. Um and the Marlins have all this pitching. But to your point, if you’re really trying to to maximize this coming season, Peralta is the move. Edward’s a more valuable asset in terms of multiple years, you’re building a sustainable winner maybe, but it seems like this Orioles team is focused on winning next year. And that’s part of the reason why they, you know, traded Grayson Rodriguez for one year at Taylor Ward. But I think we should keep talking about this because you make a lot of really good points with Edward Cabrera, right? He’s not as good of a pitcher as Freddy Peralta, but you do have him for more years of control, and you don’t have to give up Trey Gibson in the process. So, yes, we both agree Freddy Peralta is a better pitcher and a better fit for the Orioles, but is it worth also giving up Trey Gibson instead of a filler? Right. So, we have to kind of gauge, is the expense worth it? Me personally, I think it is because of what you said earlier and what I’ve also reiterated is that the Orioles window is right now. You can’t be wasting these Gunnar Henderson years because he is a Boris client. He will eventually leave. You know, a lot of the young guys are kind of coming into their own. Most notably Jordan Westber. you know, Colton Cowser is now fully >> We were just talking about Jackson Jackson Holiday on our 2022 reddraft episode of the callup. And it’s like I think a lot of people are like, “Oh, I haven’t seen the number one prospect, whatever.” He’s 21 years old last year. I He’s as primed of a breakout candidate for this coming season as well. And it wasn’t like he was bad last year either. I’m with you. Like I think a lot of this offense is going to take a step forward. And also Trey Gibson, like I I love him as you know and as you mentioned with the prospect rankings, everything he’s still going to take a little bit of time. Like he got up to triple eight at the end of last year. He made seven starts. He had an eight RA. So like he needs to get used to throwing with that ball. Like he’s he’s a guy that I think could fit in in the second half of next year. >> But that’s not what the O’s want right now. So exactly >> that if he shoved in Triple A and was knocking on the door, then I’d say well Gibson could at least be a back end of the rotation guy for you and you can just go get an Edward Cabrera and now you have two arms, right? But I wouldn’t say Gibson’s necessarily he’s not far from the door, but he’s definitely not knocking on it. >> Do you think the Brewers accept this deal? Because I’m thinking about it from their side. You you already laid out the years of control that you’d have. Five plus with Kobe Mayo. Six with Trey Gibson. You’re getting 11 years of control for one year of Freddy Peralta. And this is the this is the Brewers Mo. >> And you plug Peralta or you plug Gibson into that pitching lab they have there. Dude, Gibson’s like fastball cutter, curveball, sweeper, slider, sinker. Like [laughter] they would love him, right? Like it’s it’s like Quinn Pster-ish but like maybe even like a little stuffier. So, no, I I think the Brewers take this. You have your power hitting first baseman and >> yeah, maybe he’s playing first. Yeah, you could I don’t know if Andrew Vaughn or Caleb Durban is over there, but it’s not like they’re super strong on the corners. They could certainly use another corner infielder. And if he plays some DH, it’s not like the DH position is that plugged out. I mean, of course, you got Christian Yell, you know, and you’re slotting in, you know, Contrarus potentially to that DH. Maybe they want to keep that more open, but let Mayo blossom with Milwaukee and let him reach that stardom that we think is still in there, but at this current moment, his value is a lot more diminished than what it was just 12 months ago. >> Well, you just saw you’re getting me going now because I I you know, I’m the utmost believer in and especially Brewers hitting development. Um, and I don’t think anybody’s like really questioning that at this point, but um, and like Vaughn was a perfect example of that with how they were able to get Vaughn right and like Mayo, you he’s showed some signs of life down the stretch, but like he still struggles with with the sliders and everything. That’s a guy that if if you can get him right, I mean, he he could be one of their most productive hitters, period. So, the idea of getting Gibson and Mayo into that organization. I know we’re playing GM for the Orioles. I also just love it for the Brewers. Um, I I I think that’s I think that’s a trade that is brewersesque because it sets them up for this sustainable like, you know, keep turnurning in, you know, value and and years of control and, you know, cheap uh, you know, cheap players here that you can have control with, but at the same time, they’re not they’re not punting next year, right? Those are two guys that will help you next year. Um, especially one that could help you on opening day. I I I think because it’s such a good good fit for both sides, I really like it. Um, again, I think the Marlins, the thing with the Marlins is if I feel like if that Kobe Mayo for Edward trade, Kobe Mayo and and a filler for Edward trade was there would have happened already. No, >> I agree with you. Like if that was on the table, I feel like it would have just um Peter Bendix would have said, “Yeah, yep. Set it in. We’ll take them. Thank you.” And then the Orioles would have said, “Great. Let’s just do it.” the fact that it hasn’t been done yet, but also I think that’s fair to say why hasn’t a Brewers deal been done yet? Because this feels like an obvious package. I’m sure they’re both GMs, Marlins, Brewers, Orioles, they’re surveying the market and nothing has been set in stone yet. But to that point, it does also feel a little bit obvious for Freddy. >> Yes, it does. I just I think maybe the Orioles are like a little bit like it’s a lot to give up, right? So maybe they’re they’re they’re saying, “Hey, like let’s see all of our options and whatever, but if you can just trade a blocked guy for three years of a starter who was fantastic last year in Edward and you know, maybe you have to throw in a Boston Baitman or whoever you acquired at the deadline, it’s pretty sweet. So I I I think we stick with the Brewers move because >> yeah, >> I don’t know. I think the Marlins are are like, and I don’t blame them, but I think they’re holding pretty strong on their price. And like if I’m if I’m going to have to push close to like 80% of that Freddy Peralta package. >> Yeah, that’s what I’m saying. Like maybe they want more than >> ju just just give me Freddy for a year and I’ll figure it out later. Especially with, as you mentioned, the financial flexibility. I think the most valuable component to Edward Cabrera is how cheap he is. Like his ARB number is so low with three years of control. That’s where like a team like the Padres’s who are just handcuffed. >> Yes. >> That’s where I could see the Marlins maybe leveraging that more. Whereas the Orioles have money to spend. Brawls is cheap and that helps. But like I think for for a team that wants Cabrera, it’s going to be a team that’s maybe up against the luxury tax or something like that or doesn’t want to spend or like the Cubs who never want to spend. Like that’s where I could see it. >> All right. So move number one. It’s confirmed. We have traded for Freddy Peralta in exchange for Kobe Mayo and top pitching prospect Trey Gibson. Welcome to the Baltimore Orioles, Freddy Peralta. And now when we look at their current rotation, you have Freddy Peralta as the one, you have Trevor Rogers, you have Kyle Bradish, you have Dean Kramer, Tyler Wells, and Cade Povich. That’s six. Is your next move bringing in another starting pitcher? because I have a lowbudget deal that again is one of those pitchers that makes me feel comfortable. I want to add comfortability to this Orioles rotation. Right? You we’re looking at a guy like Michael King who again is coming off an injury plague season. Super high-end talent. What is he going to want? Is it going to be super high AAV? I don’t really want to go there. I want to stick on the starting rotation. But are you good here? Do you want to keep moving on? um on the road. Yeah, it’s funny because I’m thinking about the rotation. I think about the depth now, right? Because okay, you did trade some of your perceived depth going into this coming season. >> Yeah. >> Um you know, and then like McDermott, Brandon Young, like who who else is the depth there? >> You you probably need to sign a depth arm. So, who who are you thinking? Like even >> I feel really good that Nick Martinez could give me 140 innings next year. >> I like that. And I think he’s going to be really really cheap. Throw strikes, right? Can kind of >> those days where the bullpen has gone three, four days in a row. >> You can almost sometimes piggyback a Nick Martinez for just four innings, still throw strikes, limits hard contact, still at an elite rate. He’s not a super sexy signing, but he’s going to be cheap. And I think he becomes one of those Orioles pitchers where at the end of the season, Nick Martinez cost $9 million and he gave us 130 innings both in the bullpen and in the rotation. He was a godsend and he barely cost anything and he’s not crazy old. He’s 35 years old, so he’s obviously no spring chicken, but he’s coming off another good season. He’s pitched in a ballpark that is so susceptible to home runs and has always put up a respectable RA. You look at the underlying metrics and they’re still totally fine. Nobody’s talked about him and you slot >> for a guy who’s a free agent, dude. >> Exactly. You slot him into like the Cade Povich, Tyler Wells situation where if either Wells or Kate Povich hits, great. Nick Martinez is more of a swing man in the bullpen type. >> Well, and that’s that’s the biggest thing. That’s the biggest thing is because if the Orioles are balling out, let’s say, and they want to upgrade the rotation at the deadline, they can go do that. But you’re like, “Oh, well, what do we do?” Nick Martinez, that guy’s comfortable in the pen. You know, that’s a guy that now you can move over to the bullpen and you’ve got a a bit of a Swiss Army knife. So, that’s the other reason why I like the Martinez shout because, >> you know, it’s funny like Chris Basset I would I would have said, “Ah, that makes him a better option over Chris Basset.” Chris Basset was kind of popping into relief now, too, though. But >> I also think Martinez, >> yeah, going to be more expensive. He might get a multi-year deal with how great he was out of the bullpen. He has a longer track record of success. I feel like Nick Martinez is a Chris Basset adjacent move, but you save money and then you could use that money towards the bullpen >> and and then you can always if let’s say Povich emerges and just is a dog like then you bump Martinez into a relief role. I like that he can be this kind of flexible piece for you. So I I think that’s perfect. will sign Nick Martinez >> because I was also thinking about potentially Jacob Junis, but I want Nick Martinez because I want more of an established starter who can also throw in the bullpen rather than a guy who’s good for two, three innings in the bullpen, but you don’t necessarily want him going five. >> Yeah. >> And I want a guy who goes five. >> All right. So, we just signed Nick Martinez. Um, did you have anything else before we talk about bullpen and maybe a bench bat? Uh, no. The Edwards trade was the one that I I can’t escape and I still think is possible and could happen. And I think that’s going to be more of an internal thing with the Orioles. How confident are they in this year versus like the the three-year window, whatever it may be. Um, but that that was really it. And then, you know, was mo most of my other takeaways are what we’re going to get into here is I think they need a left-handed reliever. And those aren’t y >> plentyful right now. >> I came up with a left-handed reliever. Shawn Nukem, >> not super sexy, >> but he had a damn good year last year, you know, between um he went over to the A’s especially put up a 175 RA when he was dealt at the deadline from the Red Sox, you know, and he’s potentially even a guy who who could open for you and maybe throw two, three innings. I mean, he’s had a history as a starting pitcher as well. >> Not the best, >> right? Last year. >> Yeah. I want guys who can fill up the innings. And again, there might be in a vacuum, right? Like, you know, this this comment from K. Williams, Danny Kulum reunion. I always mispronounce his last name. Kulum. Kulum. Kulum. I think >> Kum. Now you making me forget. >> Producer P, do you have the exact pronunciation? >> He’s giving us the finger. >> He gave us the finger. All right. Well, yeah. We’re going to need you to hop in and give us the per perfect >> kum. >> I think I nailed it. Can you say that again? >> Yes. Koolum. I’m going to give you the baseballation guide. >> Country of origin, please. >> He actually had a nasty year. 23 RA over 43 frames. >> He’s a good pitcher. He’s a good pitcher. And again, I’m totally fine signing him. And maybe I’m buying too much into the I want innings thing, but coming off 92 innings, pitched in multiple different ballparks, going over to Sacramento and putting up an RA below two, the underlying metrics look good. He looked good last year. >> Yeah, that was my on a random lefty. >> I admittedly was just going to give you a random lefty and just say like, let’s roll with this guy. So, um I was looking at Fairbanks, but like I think they need a lefty though. So, >> I agree and I think we could do better. I I’d rather get depth because we signed Helley. Pete Fairbanks is a sexier name, but again, we don’t have a huge payroll to work with. I want to stay Koul. Perfect. Thank you. >> Koulum. His nickname is Frenchie. I want to stick in the general basis of what the Orioles are used to doing because yes, we could go get Fairbanks. We could go get Michael King. Are they going to do this? I still have to be convinced. And Michael Eyes didn’t come out and say, “We’re going to sign a free agent pitcher. We’re going to start we’re going to sign a starting pitcher, trade for one, we’re going to sign multiple closers.” He didn’t say that. He said kind of what we’re alluding to here. And now I also, if we’re talking about high-end relievers, I’d like to bring in Pierce Johnson. Pierce Johnson, another really good reliever for the Atlanta Braves. Kind of one of those underrated arms because he wasn’t closing out games for him, but he can work the seventh. He can work the eighth. >> He’s going to be a lot cheaper than a Pete Fairbanks. And you already have Ryan Hley as your closer. You have Andrew Kitridge. And now you bring in Pierce Johnson. You can bring in Shawn Nukem as well. You still have Keegan Aken. It’s not the greatest bullpen in the world, but it’s a pretty cheap bullpen. Yeah. Yeah, and I think it brings them from below average to what a top 12 to 15 bullpen in Major League Baseball. When you have that lineup and you have Freddy P at the top of the rotation, I still feel good. >> And I think Yanni Canó is going to bounce back, man. There’s no way he’s going to be that bad again. I I think he will. So, yeah, I think I think that makes sense. I mean, Pierce, what does Pierce get? What? Because I was looking like Sir Anthony Dominguez, but he’s just kind of volatile. And I feel like you have that you have some volatility at home with with >> Can I think he might be sneakier or more expensive than Pierce Johnson considering the age? >> Yeah, he probably will be. He probably will be. So, are we going Nukem and Pierce Johnson? >> Unless you have better ideas. I’m open. I’m open. >> The the only It’s He’s going to be more expensive, but I think they do have money to spend now since we were economical on the other side. So, maybe we could swing a little bit bigger on. But again, these are all I mean, Nick Martinez is probably going to cost 9 million. Freddy Peralta is going to cost 8 million. Um, who else did we sign? Um, Shawn New >> We need a lefty. >> What is he going to be? Four million, five, >> maybe. >> Maybe. I mean, he threw 92 innings last year. >> Yeah. So, pay up. >> Yeah. So, that’s that’s another four. If we’re signing Pierce Johnson, maybe it’s a two-year deal for >> $18 million. That’s another 9 million. I’m telling you, we’re getting over that 160 from last year. >> I think let’s spend a few extra million and let’s go get Pete Fairbanks. >> You think it’s worth it? >> Well, that’s a different question. >> That’s what I’m saying. Is it worth it over a Pierce Johnson to spend more money? >> I mean, so last three years of Pete Fairbanks, we’ve got and these these were in Tampa, obviously. Last three years. Come on. Baseball reference. Um what a 258 RA 357 RA 283 RA in the last three years coming off of a year where he was pretty damn good. I’d say probably second best year of his career. Health is a little bit of a challenge for him in terms of availability, but this is the most innings he’s ever thrown. In those three years combined, we’ve got 151 innings at a 298 erra. It’s pretty good. >> It’s really good. >> But Pierce Johnson’s pretty good, too. I I would I think I’d rather spend a couple extra million and get somebody else. If Helley is >> volatile again, kind of up and down, >> I want some more guys that could potentially close things out. >> Yeah. >> And I trust Fairbanks to close things out a little bit more. Let’s do that. Let’s sign Pete Fairbanks instead. >> Let’s go. So instead of >> Pierce Johnson, >> instead of Pierce Johnson, we’re going a little bit more expensive. Correct. You know, this comment here, Fairbanks familiar with the AL East. I’m sure that would help, right? He’s faced these bats plenty of times. I almost It’s like, do you want that >> or do you want kind of a newer arm that they haven’t seen, right? Just being familiar. >> I just want that pitched in those ballparks, pitch in those environments. I think in the AL, >> do we think relievers are scared to pitch in the AL? like they’re going in the seventh inning in a 4-2 game on a Wednesday. Are they like shaking in their boots because they’re pitching at Fedway against Rob Reider? Like I don’t need to, you know, cast this straight. Rob Reidider, free agent, by the way. >> But are they afraid of that? Is that something that we have to consider? No, I don’t think so at all. >> I don’t think so. So, I I I like it. I think I think that’s I think we keep him in the AL East. >> All right, let’s keep him in the AL East. All right, so we’re signing Pete Fairbanks. So, so far we have signed Nick Martinez. We’ve traded for Freddy Palta. We signed Pete Fairbanks. Signed Shawn Nukem. I had one more bat and I feel like this is the guy that I’m just going to push to a lot of teams. There’s always that guy that nobody really cares about. Nobody even realizes he’s a free agent, but for whatever reason, I like him. And it’s dependent on moving Ryan Mount Castle. Now, the problem is I couldn’t really think of a trade for Ryan Mount Castle because I have no idea. >> If you move Mayo, if you move, if we move Mayo, might as well just keep Mound Castle, right? >> Right. I mean, off the bench, he’s a bat. >> He’s a vet for them. He’s been there. >> I point Arm Leighton said he would hit 50 home runs. >> Hey, that was our We’re never doing a bull a bull takes episode ever again. I’ll tell you again. [laughter] So, you got 50 home runs from Ryan Mount Castle because he’s due. Can we bring in Lamont Wade? Can we give him another shot? [laughter] Can we give Lamont Wade another shot? He was >> I love Lamont Wade. He was >> dial up Lamont Wade highlights. >> Yeah, [laughter] [gasps] we’re dialing up Lamont Wade highlights. That’s why you watch on YouTube Lamont Wade highlights. No other podcast in the history of the world has Lamont Wade highlights tuned up a whole intro to it. >> A whole [laughter] intro. I even I even used my deep voice a little bit. I was like up next on Sports Center. Lamont Wade highlights. >> Lamont Wade pushed the Orioles over the top. >> Okay, so let me convince you. >> Okay, >> he was maybe the worst player in baseball last year. >> He was up there. >> Negative 1.6F 6 F4 52 WRC plus we got to remind ourselves 100 is league average >> 52 >> not ideal but 119 the year before 120 the year before that and it’s not like he’s 40 can we chalk one of those seasons up to injuries bad play swing needs a little bit of an adjustment you bring him on on in on the bench. Maybe it’s a a minor league invitation. Let’s just bring him in and see if he can hit a little bit. It’s going to cost it’s going to cost $750,000. All right, we got to fill the rest of this is like putting the like fluff paragraph to hit the word count. Um we’ll sign Lamont Wade to a minor league deal with his spring training invite. >> I think he could play well in spring training. Like I know we’re going to be down there. >> If he’s bowling, if he’s bowling, then you trade Mount Castle in spring training. going to be down there at the World Baseball Classic and we’re going to be at your apartment watching spring training and Lamont Wade is going to hit a double in the gap and I’m going to be like, “See, >> see?” And you’re going to be like, “See?” Okay. Yeah. When you compare 2024 and 2025, all right, >> look at 2024. He’s not going to cost anything. Podcast Pete, why are you gonna give us a thumbs up? What’s up? claim. He’s only a year rem he’s only a year removed from being above average in everything. That’s what I I was trying to give you like a silver lining, a benefit of the doubt. This wasn’t Peter slander. >> Yeah. This is not this is not some random guy I just pulled off the uh off the street here. Lamont Wade was 20% better than league average in both 2023 and 2024. >> Payton, do do we do we think we can get a podcast? Pete, can we get him on a on a minor league deal? You think >> I think we got a minor league deal? >> I mean, why wouldn’t you be able to, >> right? Is someone going to offer him a big league deal is my question. >> I don’t think so. I mean, he was he was he was closer to a zero WRC plus than a league average one. Is that what you said? >> No, technically he was closer to 100. He was at 52. We round up. That’s 100. >> Yeah. So, it was a failing grade. He would have failed a college course. >> Uh, I’ve put up worse test scores. Yeah, [laughter] >> you know, but don’t judge me on my worst test score. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Big league invite. >> Bang. Lock it in. >> Wait. All right. So, did you have any other moves that you want to make? I feel like >> I just Dude, I was really just hellbent on the lefty and like another leverage arm and then the starter and like I was just curious which which way to go about it and the fact that their farm system like >> doesn’t really take a hit. No. >> Um it’s still really good. um you know and and deeper after the the deadline. I think I think you feel great about that and you’re still primed. Like some people may say, “Oh, there’s a little bit more we want to do.” You’re set up now. You still have all the prospect capital to go do it at the deadline if you guys are performing well. So, uh, I I think that’s the great foot forward here and and puts the the Orioles in a spot where I think, you know, obviously it’s other teams to lose like the Blue Jays and even the Yankees, but like the Orioles have every bit of the ability to win that division with that team 100%. And they’ve already signed Pete Alonzo. They’ve already signed Ryan Hley. They brought in Andrew Kitridge. This team has already made moves, right? They brought in Taylor Ward. So, they’ve gotten two big bats already. We don’t really need to add anything to the lineup. Just to recap on this lineup, you got Jackson Holiday, Jordan Westbrook, Gunnar Henderson, Pete Alonzo, Adley Rutman, Taylor Ward, Dylan Beavers, Colton Cowser, and Samuel Basio on the bench. Maybe you trade Ryan Mount Castle because Lamont Wade has one of the greatest spring trainings you’ve ever seen. You have Jeremiah Jackson as kind of your utility guy. You still have Tyler O’Neal. You have Leodyis on the bench. And your rotation looks like Freddy Peralta, Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Dean Kramer, Tyler Wells, Nick Martinez, Kate Povich. That’s depth. That’s top end talent. You have upside. You have a pretty high floor. Ryan Hley, your closer in the bullpen, followed closely by Pete Fairbanks. You have Andrew Kitridge. You have Shawn Nukem, Keegan Akin, Yanir Canó. >> I still believe in Canó. And that’s a pretty damn good team. And we didn’t spend crazy. We didn’t spend crazy at all. We kept them >> about around what they were like last year. So if the Orioles show us throughout the rest of the off season that they’re willing to go far beyond, maybe we’ll look back on this episode and give them props and say, “Wow, we were too conservative.” But in this format, we are still going beyond what their payroll was last year. not going crazy, but solidifying the Orioles as one of the better teams in the American League. >> Yeah. Yeah. I’m I’m with you. I love it. And And the thing that gets me, the last thing I’ll say about the Orioles is this team I think could become the World Series contender that they’re capable of being just through internal improvements, right? Like I’ll bet a lot of money that Jackson Holidayiday is better than a 96 WRC plus that Gunnar Henderson’s better than a 120. That you’re going to get more than 352 played appearances from Jordan West. That Samuel Basio for a full season here is going to take a step forward. That Colton Cowser is better than an 83 WRC plus. And I don’t know if Adley Rutman will be hopefully play more than 365 play appearances and be better than the 91 WRC plus. Maybe all of those things don’t happen, but I’d bet on the majority of them happening. And if that happens on top of the additions that they’ve made, this team’s going to be good. Let’s get after it.

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Playing GM for the Baltimore Orioles, Aram and Peter build an aggressive offseason plan designed to capitalize on a wide-open championship window.

The blueprint is headlined by a major trade for Freddy Peralta, sending Coby Mayo and Trey Gibson to Milwaukee in exchange for a frontline starter. The Orioles then reinforce the roster by adding Nick Martinez on a one-year deal, locking down the bullpen with Pete Fairbanks on a three-year, $33M contract, and rounding out the pitching staff with Sean Newcomb. A minor league deal for Lamonte Wade Jr. adds flexible depth to the bench.

Does this approach strike the right balance between aggression and sustainability — or is the price too steep? A full front-office-style breakdown of how Baltimore could push toward a title.

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