MLB Network talks about the Orioles

MLB Network hosts and analysts spent some time this week at the Orioles' spring training home in Sarasota. And last night, the network aired a "30 Clubs in 30 Days" show on the Orioles.

They threw the team some props for the upgraded rotation, spent a lot of time talking about Manny Machado's move to shortstop and interviewed several players. No one is ready to say the Orioles can beat the Yankees or Red Sox, but the additions of Andrew Cashner and Alex Cobb in the last few weeks improved their chances since the first day of camp.

Said analyst Dan Plesac: "Their starting rotation looked really bad three or four weeks ago. All the sudden, it got a facelift and looks pretty competitive right now."

Analyst Harold Reynolds on the addition of Cobb: "He pitches well against big teams. The hesitation of his motion throws hitters off. It makes that 93 or 92 mph fastball look like it's 95, 97. It just jumps on you with the hesitation. He's got three quality pitches he can throw. He has an arsenal in this division that keeps hitters in the ballpark. I think Alex Cobb is a great fit. He's not intimidated and he knows how to pitch in these (AL East) parks. He's a winner."

Reynolds on Machado playing at shortstop: "We are seeing a guy that grew up as a shortstop. He has that natural, fluid ability. He looks like he's lost some weight. That tells me he knows he's got to be light on his feet. I think the big thing, we'll see a bit more of the arm. And I think with him and Jonathan Schoop up the middle, this will be fun. They are both going to hit 30 homers and make great plays up the middle. So we are looking at maybe the best combination in all of baseball. The question is how long will they play together?"

Some player comments from the show:

Machado on Cobb: "He's an elite pitcher. He strikes people out, he gets people out. He's a perfectionist. We're excited to have him here. I think that is a big pickup for us. That was the last piece we were missing. Now it is just a matter of everyone staying healthy and staying on the field. I think we're looking pretty good."

Trey Mancini has not set any numbers goals for 2018: "I haven't set any statistical goals. It sounds like a cliché, but if you try to help your team win every day, at the end of the year you will look up and everything takes care of itself on a personal level. So you try to enjoy yourself and realize this is what we worked for our whole lives. Making it to the majors and getting to play here every day is an honor. You have to take advantage of that."

Chris Davis said Cobb's addition was big in the clubhouse: "Oh, we're fired up. The moves to get Cash and Cobb, I feel like you know, the final pieces are there. To finally get the two guys we got, we're fired up and ready to roll."

Davis on trying to contend: "I'm excited to get the season started and start battling it out in the East. I've been fortunate to be on winning ballclubs since I've been here with the exception of last year. When the season was over last year, I had a bad taste in my mouth. I was embarrassed at the record that we had, the job I did. Things that I could have done better and it was a reality check for me to, really step back and say what can I do to help my team. At the end of the day the long-term contract, all those things are nice, but I'm in this thing to win. Whatever I have to do - whether it's hitting leadoff, hitting nine hole - whatever that may be, you know I want to do that."

In the end, Plesac's conclusion was that the Orioles are a threat for an AL wild card spot and that the Cobb addition pumped some energy into the club. Reynolds said the Orioles would be better than most think but would miss out on the postseason.

Meanwhile, the Sisco kid makes the roster: Let me throw in a few thoughts of my own here. Chance Sisco will break north joining Caleb Joseph as catchers on the opening day roster. I think it's his time and this was a solid decision. He's played at every level on the farm, including a full year at Triple-A last season. It's time to see what he can do in the majors.

His bat has lived up to the hype so far in a very limited big league sample. Sisco went 6-for-18 (.333) last September for the Orioles with two doubles and two homers. This spring he is batting .419 (13-for-31) with five doubles, a triple and two homers. He is slugging .830 with an OPS of 1.309. In 19 hits between last September and this spring, he has 12 for extra-bases.

Sisco's defense has gotten better, yet his throwing remains below average according to some scouts. So let's see how that plays out for the Orioles. He seems to get good reviews for calling a game, blocking balls in the dirt and working with pitchers. Working alongside Joseph and coach John Russell daily can't hurt.

What is your take on Sisco making the opening day roster?

"Oh we're fired up... I feel like the final pieces are there." - @CrushD19 spoke with @ScottBraun about the @Orioles' roster heading into 2018 #30Clubs30Days pic.twitter.com/gctYNyKfLu

-- MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 24, 2018