Dein erstes Forum » In early November, Joe Mauer confirmed what many

Let’s just do this Max Scherzer Jersey , already"had already suspected: the 2018 baseball season had been his last. He’d made one last trip out to home plate in his catcher gear, and bid a fond farewell to the team he’d played with for 15 years. A little over a month later, the Minnesota Twins announced they would retire his number 7. Joe Mauer, though an understated player, will certainly have a case to make for admission to the Hall of Fame in five years when he’s eligible to be voted in. A 6-time All-Star, league MVP, three-time Gold Glove, five-time Silver Slugger, and three-time batting title holder, Mauer deserves a long look for consideration. Based on his JAWS score, which considers peak WAR over a player’s best seven years to assess their Hall of Fame worthiness, Joe Mauer ranks seventh. Of all time. He’s right between Yogi Berra and Bill Dickey.There’s no question he deserves to have his number retired by the Twins, and to join the echelon of their greatest players of all time. What’s interesting, though, is the Twins near-immediate willingness to reward this talented man with a number retirement. Some might argue a player needs to be in the Hall of Fame before getting that honor. Others — like us — would suggest this is a sign that teams might want to be more flexible about retiring numbers, and extend the honor to those who deserve it. Players like Lou Whitaker.We have covered the egregious snub that is Lou Whitaker’s exclusion from the Hall of Fame http://www.nationalsfanproshop.com/authentic-matt-adams-jersey , something that becomes all the more glaring when we consider that his partner in double-plays, Alan Trammell, has now been voted in by the Eras Committee. Whitaker’s numbers are not so much different from Mauer’s. He, too, spent his entire career with one team. For 19 years Whitaker sported a Tigers jersey, and in that time he collected honors for Rookie of the Year, three Gold Gloves, four Silver Sluggers, was an All-Star five times, a snagged a World Series ring in 1984. His overall offensive numbers were not as good as Mauer’s — Whitaker ended his career with a .276/.363/.426 compared toMauer’s .306/.388/.439 — but he was, and remains, one of the Tigers all-time greats. And if we look at his JAWS score, he is 13th overall for all second basemen in history, between two guys you might have heard of: Jackie Robinson and Roberto Alomar. Both Hall of Famers. Both with their jerseys retired.There is no doubt that Lou Whitaker has a case for the Hall of Fame. So does Joe Mauer. What the Twins decision to retire Mauer’s number tells us though, is vital: it doesn’t matter. Whether or not either of these men hang a plaque in Cooperstown in their lifetimes, they deserve the respect of their teams.Joe Mauer’s number has been retired.It’s time for the Tigers to do the same for Lou Whitaker, and hang the number 1 up next to Alan Trammell’s number 3. Outside of any yet-to-be-signed free agents http://www.nationalsfanproshop.com/authentic-matt-adams-jersey , this lineup focuses on long term fixtures and prospects on their way to Baltimore."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Commentary & AnalysisOrioles ProspectsOrioles Game RecapsOrioles News and RumorsCamdencastCommentary & AnalysisWhat will the Orioles lineup look like at the end of 2019?New,14commentsOutside of any yet-to-be-signed free agents, this lineup focuses on long term fixtures and prospects on their way to Baltimore. within. The Orioles will also be active in the trade market. Come the end of July, several players that are currently on the roster will be replaced with lottery-ticket prospects and some hope for the future. That being said, as we look forward to September, who will the Birds be trotting out there every evening at the end of the year? Catcher: Chance SiscoIdeally, this will be the year that Chance Sisco comes into his own behind the plate. The word “ideally” will be thrown around a lot with this lineup, because it depends on players doing two things — staying healthy, and living up to their potential. The Orioles’ second-round pick in 2013 did not provide the Orioles much to be excited about last season. Despite the idea that his bat was ahead of his glove, Sisco hit only .181 in 63 games and reached base at a .288 clip. Imagine how bad his glove must be...Sisco will certainly be a candidate to benefit from the new analytics department in Baltimore. The Corona, California, native was drafted out of high school and has spent his entire career in the Orioles system. He’ll likely be provided a few resources that he was never privy to before. Sisco certainly has a better bat than he showed last year, and this will be another opportunity to improve his defense. He’s ready to play right now, and with Caleb Joseph no longer around, he’ll split the starts with Austin Wynns.Designated Hitter: Chris DavisThis one may generate a few shrugs and eye rolls, but the best case for Baltimore at DH in 2019 is Chris Davis bouncing back to some capacity. His contract makes him unmovable, and the sunk cost of his albatross deal makes it too difficult to simply cut the guy. What does a successful season look like for Davis? Probably anywhere over a .200 batting average and surpassing 20 home runs. If the guy could double his HR and RBI totals from last year Trea Turner Jersey , he’d hit 32 bombs and drive in 98 runs. Is it likely? Nope. But we’re still throwing around that word ideal. First Base: Trey ManciniA great deal of fans would love to see Trey Mancini leave left field behind and return to his natural position.With Mark Trumbo a likely trade candidate, Mancini should be able to reclaim his spot at first by the end of the year. After the sophomore slump grabbed ahold of him last season, he used a strong second half to reestablish his presence in Baltimore’s lineup.There’s the potential for a break out in 2019. After tallying 24 home runs the last two years, Mancini could reach 30 this season. He showed an ability to hit for average in his rookie year (.293), and worked 11 more walks (44) last year than he did in 2017. Second Base: Jonathan Villar Currently listed as the number one option on the Orioles depth chart at shortstop and second base, the question isn’t if Villar will start, it’s where? Villar has shown an ability to perform at each position, and he should provide at least serviceable defense at either one.Acquired from the Brewers for the now non-tendered Jonathan Schoop, Villar conducted himself well in Baltimore last year. His .336 OBP was a welcomed site for the Orioles, and he stole 21 bases in 24 games. This may simply come down to who else the Orioles acquire, or how Baltimore’s Rule-Five selection plays in spring training.Shortstop: Richie MartinThe Orioles selected Richie Martin with the first pick in the Rule 5 draft just a few weeks ago. The former Oakland product will be given the opportunity to compete for the shortstop position, and ideally, he’ll take advantage. Martin hit .300/.368/.439 at Double-A in the Athletics system last year. The jump to the American League East won’t be an easy one, but Baltimore will need to keep him on the roster if they want to keep him in the organization. Since Martin immediately became the Orioles 13th ranked prospect, there will be motivation to keep him on the roster and in the system.Third Base: Renato NezHe’s not Chris Davis, but Nunez also probably won’t generate a ton of enthusiasm at the hot corner. That being said, the guy earned a chance to be the guy in 2019. The Orioles claimed Nunez off of waivers on May 13 http://www.nationalsfanproshop.com/authentic-matt-adams-jersey , 2018. In 60 games, he hit .275 and held a .336 OBP. It’s no coincidence that shortstop and third base are probably the two biggest question marks in the post-Machado era. Nunez won’t win a Platinum Glove this year, and he needs to improve his defense, but he’ll likely be the best option until Ryan Mountcastle addresses his own defensive concerns in the minor leagues. Outfield: Cedric Mullins, DJ Stewart and Austin HaysThe reality is, outside of Cedric Mullins, it’s a guessing game regarding who will be getting starts in the Orioles outfield come September. The Birds are flush with young outfield prospects, and ideally, a few of them will pan out. Mullins established last year that he’s the organization’s center fielder moving forward. Austin Hays is due for a bounce back after a disappointing and injury-plagued 2018. Hays tore up the Eastern League at Double-A in 2017 before getting the call to Baltimore. In 20 games, he continued to flash some potential at the major league level. Hays should be ready for spring training after issues with his ankle sidelined him for a majority of last year. Hays will compete with Stewart, and eventually Yusniel Diaz and Ryan McKenna for playing time in the corners. Any of those guys could find themselves patrolling the grass at Camden Yards by the end of the year. Will this be the Orioles lineup on September 1? Absolutely not. Free agents will be signed, other players may be traded, injuries will take place and some players won’t seize their opportunities. That being said, we’re all going to be doing a lot of looking to the future over the next few years. Why not start now? Is there anyone that should be in Baltimore by September this year? How about anyone that certainly won’t be wearing black and orange by the end of the season? Let us know in the comments below!