He was pretty lame at Norfolk after being really lame in Baltimore to start the season. He's a good example of how we're doing. Westburg has 25 homers across two levels, most of them at Norfolk, where he's listed at 3b. But where he plays most of the infield. The talent dudes are blatantly forcing the place holder dudes out of the way, and out of the system. The three affiliates who played last night ran up some scores. The kids are beating down the door now.

I hope some of them are pitchers, but Elias has in fact loaded the system with talent. What he set out to do. And he did a good job with the scrap heap this year on pitching.

No reason to keep him. Elias got lucky with the scrap heap pitching. I hope that's not his strategy for next year. Elias said they were going to spend money, I hope he spends it on pitching.

There are always Lyles types.I have no feel for the batch of pitchers he just got. Rom got his ass kicked this week. Not him yet

Yes he did, the past 5 years were painful to watch, but from now on it could be fun again to follow the O's.

Seems so. Replacing Mateo and Odor in the lineup would make a big difference, and what do you know? We have hitters in our system! We need pitchers, and Eias has money to spend. Go big.

Odor is clearly a place-holder. But I'm still not giving up on Mateo. I'd give him next year yet.Urias could come back one more year too, unless Westburg or Ortiz clearly shows next spring that one or the other is ready.

1b-Mountcastle
2b-Westburg
ss-Ortiz
3b-Gunn

I like Urias as backup infielder. He plays three positions well, and has some pop in his bat.

Frankly, I wonder about Mountcastle.

I think I'd look to move Rom if there's enough interest.Throw in Lyles or buy him out. Don't bring him back next year.

Westie is coming. Maybe this year. Urias is a great utility dude at worst. But so is Vavra. Lyles could be a perfect fifth starter. Pitches every five days. Wins every sixth start.