We break down the parallels between Baltimore and the Chicago team that won the World Series -- and what they tell us about the future of the 2024 O's.
Baltimore has World Series aspirations this season -- but does it have the key pieces in place to win it all? -- and we do not make that comparison lightly. That Cubs team, after all, became one of the most famous in baseball history when it ended a 108-year championship drought by winning Game 7 of the World Series in extra innings.
Elias didn't have to tear down the organization when he got to Baltimore: It was already at rock bottom, coming off a 47-115 season in 2018. Like Epstein and Luhnow, he embarked on a similar reconstruction plan, focusing on drafting position players early in the draft -- viewed as more predictable than pitchers -- and then figuring out the pitching side of things.
Contreras was a 24-year-old rookie on the 2016 Cubs, hitting .282/.357/.488 in 76 games for a 122 OPS+ -- numbers not all that different from Rutschman's rookie season at the same age in 2022, when he hit .254/.362/.445 for a 131 OPS+. Before signing with the Cardinals as a free agent in 2023, Contreras had been a good player with the Cubs -- he made three All-Star teams and had four 20-homer seasons -- but he never quite became the big star his rookie season foretold.
The Orioles control Rutschman through 2027; they've probably missed the window to sign him to a long-term extension, but it's still comforting to know you have perhaps the game's best catcher for the next three-plus seasons.Baez was 23 years old in 2016, his first full season in the majors. With Russell entrenched as the starting shortstop, Baez was the utility guy who played some third base , some second and filled in for Russell at short.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
UEFA Euro 2024 Bracket: Follow Our 2024 BracketDownload our UEFA Euro 2024 Bracket to make your picks before the next stage of the tournament begins.
Read more »
2024 Men's College World Series Regionals preview: Odds, picks and more for college baseball postseasonCharges against Scottie Scheffler officially dropped after his arrest at the PGA Championship
Read more »
Women’s College World Series 2024 free stream: How to watch every WCWS softball gameFind out how you can watch every game of the 2024 Women's College World Series live for free.
Read more »
2024 Wildcard: Trump criminal trial verdict throws 2024 presidential election into uncharted watersFormer President Donald Trump's conviction in his historic trial in New York City is thrusting his 2024 election rematch with President Biden into uncharted grounds.
Read more »
NCAA Baseball Tournament Score Updates | 2024 College World SeriesSchedule and score updates for every game in the regional round of the 2024 NCAA Baseball Tournament
Read more »
Women’s College World Series 2024 FREE STREAM: How to watch Day 2 elimination games todayHow to watch Day 2 of the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City if you don't have cable.
Read more »