Long-time Mike Elias fan, think he has generally done a lot of good.
Believe he’s capable of building a Championship team.
Can acknowledge that he was threading a needle here between a team that is 2.5 games out of the 3rd Wild Card, and also 4 games under .500.
Don’t think losing Rutshman, Ward, or Kremer in a vacuum, means a lot; but taken together, it’s a tough look even if you can reasonably understand each individual move.
Kremer is a 5th that was struggling his last 4 starts, and Bassitt is a reasonable answer to replace him, and Elias obtained a kid with helium and control.
Ward hasn’t hit for the power expected, and is a below average LF. The O’s can replace him in the lineup with Beavers, Kjerstad, Taveras, etc… and get similar production. Maybe the relievers obtained help.
Rutschman – like Wieters – didn’t match the hype, but also like Wieters was a good player. A 3x All-Star. Your rep this year. He had the 3 stints on the IL this year, but they were largely fluky. I thought he had a better offensive approach this year vs. the last 2 years. When he hasn’t been around, it’s been noticeable with the lineup. I haven’t seen the return, but I expect Elias extracted some value from Boston. And with Rutschman, you could argue now was the time to trade him if you weren’t going to reach an extension.
But…
Kremer could potentially help you now. The 18 year old you obtained can’t. Twins 1.5 games up on the O’s in the WC race.
Rutschman made the O’s better now, and you’ve traded him to a division rival. A team above you in the playoff race.
Ward traded to Seattle, a team a .5 game up on the O’s in the WC race. You’ve removed a guy that has a high on-base %, and has been in the lineup everyday. Is that a great message to the clubhouse?
Collectively, just a very tough look.
And as someone that genuinely likes Elias, I can’t justify it overall, even when I can make the individual arguments.
The fanbase isn’t going to get over this.
Hell, even if Bassitt is good, Kremer is bad, the in-house options seamlessly replace Ward… and the O’s get past losing Rutschman and still make the post-season…. even if that all happens, once there the feeling will be… “The O’s lineup would look better with Adley there.”
Time to go.
Potential Replacements For Elias:
Jon Daniels – Former Rangers General Manager. Currently a Senior Advisor with Tampa Bay.
Kim Ng – Former Marlins General Manager. Currently outside the game entirely.
James Click – Former Astros General Manager. Now VP of Baseball Strategy with Toronto.
Michael Fishman – Yankees VP / Assistant GM under Brian Cashman.
Amiel Sawdaye – Diamondbacks SVP / Assistant GM under Mike Hazen. Baltimore native, Graduate of Pikesville High, and University of Maryland.
Cal Ripken Jr. – The HOF, has an Ownership share, and is doing some Player Development work. Obviously the name would sell, and the Ripken Way still carries weight. Especially with the current fundamental issues with the ML team. Feels like Ripken would need to surround himself with a lot of Front Office experience.
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.