It's truly been an exhilarating week! On Wednesday night at Padonia Station, I had the opportunity to interview former Ravens head coach Brian Billick, former Baltimore sportscaster John Buren, and WNST's Drew Forrester in WNST's King of Baltimore Sportstalk Finals. It was a great time talking sports in front of a live audience.
At the end of the night, I was crowned the King of Baltimore Sportstalk! The other six competitors did outstanding work, and I truly enjoyed meeting them. It's exciting to know there are others out there just as passionate as me about Baltimore sports. It's such a passionate city filled with knowledgeable and proud fans.
I would just like to thank everyone who have shown their support by reading my blogs and listening to my radio spots. Your kind words and encouragement continue to mean so much to me!
As for the future, I hope to do more work with WNST and WNST.net, but we'll see what happens. It's truly a great sports media company that really knows the pulse of this great city.
Here is a link to my "acceptance speech" blog:
http://wnst.net/wordpress/lukejones/2009/05/28/wish-you-were-here/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk0qO6vReIY&feature=related
http://wnst.net/wordpress/nestoraparicio/2009/05/27/luke-jones-is-crowned-the-coors-light-king-of-baltimore-sportstalk-winner/
Showing posts with label baltimore orioles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baltimore orioles. Show all posts
Friday, May 29, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Update on WNST's King of Baltimore Sportstalk Competition
I thought I'd take a moment to post an update on my status in WNST's King of Baltimore Sportstalk Competition. I have advanced to the final round, taking place next Wednesday, May 27 at Padonia Station at 7 P.M. If you're in the area, I invite you to come out and cheer me on. There are six other finalists, and it figures to be a fun night of local sportstalk.
Remember to read and comment on my WNST.net blog. It can be found at wnst.net/wordpress/lukejones
Thanks for your continued support!
Remember to read and comment on my WNST.net blog. It can be found at wnst.net/wordpress/lukejones
Thanks for your continued support!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Why the Orioles bullpen held a closed-door meeting
From the home office in Glen Rock, Pa., I bring to you the Top 10 Reasons Why the Orioles Bullpen Held a Closed-Door Meeting on Monday Afternoon.
10. They’re still trying to figure out just how high Radhames Liz’s ERA was in his last stint with the club.
9. “I know we’ve asked you before, but is it pronounced ‘Danny’ or ‘Dan-eez?’”
8. They figured since they can’t manage to close the door late in the game, they might as well try to do it in the clubhouse.
Read the rest and comment here.
10. They’re still trying to figure out just how high Radhames Liz’s ERA was in his last stint with the club.
9. “I know we’ve asked you before, but is it pronounced ‘Danny’ or ‘Dan-eez?’”
8. They figured since they can’t manage to close the door late in the game, they might as well try to do it in the clubhouse.
Read the rest and comment here.
Friday, April 10, 2009
WNST King of Baltimore Sportstalk Competition
I have recently been chosen as a contestant in AM 1570 WNST’s King of Baltimore Sportstalk Competition to see if I can fulfill a dream of blogging and doing radio for a living. I'd like to personally invite you to take a look at my new blog at WNST.net. The link can be found here.
www.wnst.net/wordpress/lukejones
Please read and comment (as always, agree or disagree as much as you want!) on my work. The competition will also include a voting element that will begin in the near future. My goal is to bring you the same analysis and focus on sports (with a Baltimore-based focus) that I have tried to do since starting my blog in August 2008.
Thank you so much for your support!
www.wnst.net/wordpress/lukejones
Please read and comment (as always, agree or disagree as much as you want!) on my work. The competition will also include a voting element that will begin in the near future. My goal is to bring you the same analysis and focus on sports (with a Baltimore-based focus) that I have tried to do since starting my blog in August 2008.
Thank you so much for your support!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Koji Uehara Makes Orioles History Tonight
Orioles fans will get their first look at Japanese pitcher Koji Uehara as he faces the New York Yankees tonight at Camden Yards.
Uehara was an eight-time All-Star and won two Sawamura Awards (the Cy Young Award of Japanese baseball) playing for the Yomiuri Giants of the Central League.
The 34-year-old right-hander is the first Japanese player to play for the Orioles despite the arrival of numerous Japanese major leaguers in the last decade. The Orioles hope Uehara's performance will lead to an increased presence in Japanese scouting after years of inactivity in the Pacific Rim.
It will be interesting to see how well Uehara adapts to the major leagues, as the Yankees will provide as formidable of a lineup as any he will face in the American League in 2009.
Uehara was an eight-time All-Star and won two Sawamura Awards (the Cy Young Award of Japanese baseball) playing for the Yomiuri Giants of the Central League.
The 34-year-old right-hander is the first Japanese player to play for the Orioles despite the arrival of numerous Japanese major leaguers in the last decade. The Orioles hope Uehara's performance will lead to an increased presence in Japanese scouting after years of inactivity in the Pacific Rim.
It will be interesting to see how well Uehara adapts to the major leagues, as the Yankees will provide as formidable of a lineup as any he will face in the American League in 2009.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
WNST Radio Appearance on Friday
I wanted to spread the word that I'll be a guest on WNST AM 1570 on Friday afternoon from 3-4 with Nestor Aparicio. If you're not in the greater Baltimore area, you can listen online at WNST.net. I'm looking forward to discussing Baltimore sports with a Baltimore radio legend, so check it out!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Nine Orioles Innings (Week of March 30)
During the 2009 season, Luke Jones will present Nine Orioles Innings every Monday, sharing his thoughts on what’s happening with the Baltimore Orioles. It will feature a mix of serious analysis and the lighter side of Orioles baseball.
1. It’s hard to believe it was only two years ago that Jeremy Guthrie was an unknown heading to Baltimore on Opening Day 2007 as a long man in the Orioles bullpen. The Opening Day starter now represents the only safe bet in a rotation that is still deciding on the three starters to fill the back end.
The pitching staff will need Guthrie to remain healthy after making trips to the disabled list in each of his first two seasons with the Orioles. The rotation will be extremely thin as is, so the loss of Guthrie could cause a massive implosion.
The organization hopes that Guthrie’s terrific work ethic will influence the many young pitching prospects expected to arrive in Baltimore over the next two years. He may not be a true ace, but Guthrie could provide a calming influence on young pitchers that will undoubtedly experience some growing pains in their first months in the big leagues.
2. Felix Pie has struggled adjusting to his new surroundings this spring, hitting only .216 (through Sunday) and posting a .595 OPS.
With the strong spring performances from Nolan Reimold and Lou Montanez, many are calling for the Pie experiment to end before the team even heads north to Baltimore. The choice is simple when you consider Pie is out of options while Reimold and Montanez can start the season at Triple-A Norfolk.
Are Pie’s critics the same ones that were calling for Nick Markakis to be sent back to the minors when he was hitting around .220 in June of his rookie season in 2006?
While no one expects Pie to become the offensive threat that Markakis is, the young outfielder needs at bats in the big leagues after receiving only 260 at bats in two seasons with the Cubs. The former number-one prospect needs a legitimate chance to play in the majors.
If Pie is still struggling in July and Reimold or Montanez is tearing it up in Triple-A, this questions will be revisited, but for the time being, Pie should be sent out to left field to play everyday.
3. The November unveiling of the new road uniforms displaying “Baltimore” on the front was a far overdue move by the organization to restore some civic pride. The city name will appear on the road uniforms for the first time since 1972.
To take full advantage of the occasion, the Orioles should buck tradition and wear the new road uniforms on Opening Day despite it being a home game.
With the large number of Yankees fans expected to attend, detractors will argue it’s a road game for the Orioles anyway. Why not debut the new gray threads at home?
4. Andy MacPhail’s decision to send Matt Wieters to Triple-A to delay the start of his service time is well-documented and makes sense from a financial standpoint, especially when remembering Scott Boras represents the 22-year-old catcher.
However, should the team decide to keep Wieters in Norfolk until June when he would lose eligibility for Super-2 status, many will view the move as another penny-pinching maneuver.
Though delaying Wieters’ promotion would eliminate a year of arbitration, possibly saving millions, it would harm his ability to win Rookie of the Year as well as simply impede the growth of the catching prospect.
Mimicking Tampa Bay’s approach with Evan Longoria by waiting until the middle of April to promote Wieters is financially prudent; waiting until June is just being cheap.
5. Corner infielders Aubrey Huff and Melvin Mora are both free agents after the season and were the top run producers on the club last year, driving in 212 runs combined.
With no viable prospects at first or third base ready for the big leagues, MacPhail will have to consider bringing back at least one of the two veterans.
Newly-signed infielder Ty Wigginton would be a fine one-year stopgap at either first or third, but the team would have to look to acquire another corner infielder.
The team does hold an $8million club option for Mora, but Huff is five years younger.
Both players are likely to be shopped at the trading deadline in late-July, but look for the club to explore short-term extensions for both players as MacPhail searches for younger answers at each corner.
6. Japanese newcomer Koji Uehara will hold the second spot in the starting rotation, but the Orioles hope he means much more to the future of the organization.
A successful season for the veteran would potentially open the door for other talent from Japan and the Far East to consider the Orioles for their American destination.
Watching Japan win its second World Baseball Classic made it apparent that many more Japanese players have the ability to succeed in Major League Baseball, so the Orioles need to continue to increase their scouting presence in the Far East.
Uehara finding success in Baltimore would not only improve the team’s prospects in 2009 but could lead to more Japanese talent landing with the Orioles in the future.
7. It’s difficult to believe the Orioles are even considering Adam Eaton for the starting rotation. Even putting his spring numbers aside (6.75 ERA), the right-hander was hammered in Philadelphia the last two seasons, posting a 5.80 ERA in 2008 and a 6.29 ERA in 2007.
Ouch.
You might be wondering what his numbers were on the road, considering Citizens Bank Park is a hitter’s park. Eaton pitched to a 4.81 road ERA in 2008 and 6.12 in 2007.
Not exactly a ringing endorsement, especially when you consider Camden Yards is known for the home run.
With the seemingly endless search to fill the starting rotation, the Orioles might want to take a long look at the Bird (no, I’m not talking about Mark Fidrych). He throws some devastating off-speed stuff to the kids in the outfield grass before home games.
Only kidding, or am I? Ask me again in late-April when the bullpen is already being overworked.
The Bird might be throwing some simulated games in the bullpen by that point.
8. Despite the concerns over the starting rotation, the Orioles bullpen looks to be a formidable unit with closer George Sherrill, Jim Johnson, and Chris Ray providing a triple-threat to shorten the game after six innings.
Ray looks to be fully recovered from Tommy John surgery and has been dominant, not allowing a run in 11 1/3 innings of spring work.
A fully-recovered Matt Albers would be key to bridging the gap from the starting pitching to the three stoppers in the late innings.
Even with the vast potential, it’s hard to predict how well the bullpen will perform if starting pitching cannot get past the fifth or sixth inning consistently. In recent years, the bullpen is worn out by August, setting up for the collapse down the stretch.
9. It’s hard to envision any scenario in which the Orioles avoid a 12th-straight losing season in 2009 despite the promising future with the improving farm system. The years of losing have begun to run together, and it’s sometimes difficult to believe how long it’s been since a winning team graced Camden Yards.
To put it in perspective, in the Orioles’ last winning season in 1997, Cal Ripken was playing his first full season at third base, interleague play was making its debut, Michael Jordan was winning his fifth NBA championship, and Nick Markakis was in the eighth grade.
Quite a long time.
Extra Innings: For an organization in the midst of 11-straight losing seasons, the Orioles could definitely benefit from a stronger marketing campaign to create excitement for the 2009 season.
Though young pitchers such as Brian Matusz and Jake Arrieta were in the major league camp, MASN scheduled only four television appearances for the Orioles in the spring. In fact, Wednesday’s game against the Marlins will mark the first televised Orioles game on MASN in over three weeks.
Yes, televising spring games costs money and does not earn huge ratings, but subscribers are paying hefty fees to receive MASN in their cable lineups. The Orioles owe it to their customers to televise a few more games and could create more interest in the club in the process.
In comparison, the Yankees’ YES Network televised 16 spring games while the Red Sox’ NESN showed nine.
With struggling attendance, the Orioles need to provide more opportunities for fans to follow the team in the spring. Their own cable network is here; they need to use it.
Televising eight or nine spring games is more than reasonable.
For those turning to the radio for their Orioles fix, the flagship radio station 105.7 The Fan abandoned the final eight innings of Sunday’s broadcast following a lengthy rain delay.
While it may not have been a regular season game and will be forgotten quickly, the story is no less pathetic and was even featured on Yahoo! Sports.
With these television and radio blunders, the question begs to be asked: how badly do the Orioles even want their fans back?
The organization needs to try much harder.
1. It’s hard to believe it was only two years ago that Jeremy Guthrie was an unknown heading to Baltimore on Opening Day 2007 as a long man in the Orioles bullpen. The Opening Day starter now represents the only safe bet in a rotation that is still deciding on the three starters to fill the back end.
The pitching staff will need Guthrie to remain healthy after making trips to the disabled list in each of his first two seasons with the Orioles. The rotation will be extremely thin as is, so the loss of Guthrie could cause a massive implosion.
The organization hopes that Guthrie’s terrific work ethic will influence the many young pitching prospects expected to arrive in Baltimore over the next two years. He may not be a true ace, but Guthrie could provide a calming influence on young pitchers that will undoubtedly experience some growing pains in their first months in the big leagues.
2. Felix Pie has struggled adjusting to his new surroundings this spring, hitting only .216 (through Sunday) and posting a .595 OPS.
With the strong spring performances from Nolan Reimold and Lou Montanez, many are calling for the Pie experiment to end before the team even heads north to Baltimore. The choice is simple when you consider Pie is out of options while Reimold and Montanez can start the season at Triple-A Norfolk.
Are Pie’s critics the same ones that were calling for Nick Markakis to be sent back to the minors when he was hitting around .220 in June of his rookie season in 2006?
While no one expects Pie to become the offensive threat that Markakis is, the young outfielder needs at bats in the big leagues after receiving only 260 at bats in two seasons with the Cubs. The former number-one prospect needs a legitimate chance to play in the majors.
If Pie is still struggling in July and Reimold or Montanez is tearing it up in Triple-A, this questions will be revisited, but for the time being, Pie should be sent out to left field to play everyday.
3. The November unveiling of the new road uniforms displaying “Baltimore” on the front was a far overdue move by the organization to restore some civic pride. The city name will appear on the road uniforms for the first time since 1972.
To take full advantage of the occasion, the Orioles should buck tradition and wear the new road uniforms on Opening Day despite it being a home game.
With the large number of Yankees fans expected to attend, detractors will argue it’s a road game for the Orioles anyway. Why not debut the new gray threads at home?
4. Andy MacPhail’s decision to send Matt Wieters to Triple-A to delay the start of his service time is well-documented and makes sense from a financial standpoint, especially when remembering Scott Boras represents the 22-year-old catcher.
However, should the team decide to keep Wieters in Norfolk until June when he would lose eligibility for Super-2 status, many will view the move as another penny-pinching maneuver.
Though delaying Wieters’ promotion would eliminate a year of arbitration, possibly saving millions, it would harm his ability to win Rookie of the Year as well as simply impede the growth of the catching prospect.
Mimicking Tampa Bay’s approach with Evan Longoria by waiting until the middle of April to promote Wieters is financially prudent; waiting until June is just being cheap.
5. Corner infielders Aubrey Huff and Melvin Mora are both free agents after the season and were the top run producers on the club last year, driving in 212 runs combined.
With no viable prospects at first or third base ready for the big leagues, MacPhail will have to consider bringing back at least one of the two veterans.
Newly-signed infielder Ty Wigginton would be a fine one-year stopgap at either first or third, but the team would have to look to acquire another corner infielder.
The team does hold an $8million club option for Mora, but Huff is five years younger.
Both players are likely to be shopped at the trading deadline in late-July, but look for the club to explore short-term extensions for both players as MacPhail searches for younger answers at each corner.
6. Japanese newcomer Koji Uehara will hold the second spot in the starting rotation, but the Orioles hope he means much more to the future of the organization.
A successful season for the veteran would potentially open the door for other talent from Japan and the Far East to consider the Orioles for their American destination.
Watching Japan win its second World Baseball Classic made it apparent that many more Japanese players have the ability to succeed in Major League Baseball, so the Orioles need to continue to increase their scouting presence in the Far East.
Uehara finding success in Baltimore would not only improve the team’s prospects in 2009 but could lead to more Japanese talent landing with the Orioles in the future.
7. It’s difficult to believe the Orioles are even considering Adam Eaton for the starting rotation. Even putting his spring numbers aside (6.75 ERA), the right-hander was hammered in Philadelphia the last two seasons, posting a 5.80 ERA in 2008 and a 6.29 ERA in 2007.
Ouch.
You might be wondering what his numbers were on the road, considering Citizens Bank Park is a hitter’s park. Eaton pitched to a 4.81 road ERA in 2008 and 6.12 in 2007.
Not exactly a ringing endorsement, especially when you consider Camden Yards is known for the home run.
With the seemingly endless search to fill the starting rotation, the Orioles might want to take a long look at the Bird (no, I’m not talking about Mark Fidrych). He throws some devastating off-speed stuff to the kids in the outfield grass before home games.
Only kidding, or am I? Ask me again in late-April when the bullpen is already being overworked.
The Bird might be throwing some simulated games in the bullpen by that point.
8. Despite the concerns over the starting rotation, the Orioles bullpen looks to be a formidable unit with closer George Sherrill, Jim Johnson, and Chris Ray providing a triple-threat to shorten the game after six innings.
Ray looks to be fully recovered from Tommy John surgery and has been dominant, not allowing a run in 11 1/3 innings of spring work.
A fully-recovered Matt Albers would be key to bridging the gap from the starting pitching to the three stoppers in the late innings.
Even with the vast potential, it’s hard to predict how well the bullpen will perform if starting pitching cannot get past the fifth or sixth inning consistently. In recent years, the bullpen is worn out by August, setting up for the collapse down the stretch.
9. It’s hard to envision any scenario in which the Orioles avoid a 12th-straight losing season in 2009 despite the promising future with the improving farm system. The years of losing have begun to run together, and it’s sometimes difficult to believe how long it’s been since a winning team graced Camden Yards.
To put it in perspective, in the Orioles’ last winning season in 1997, Cal Ripken was playing his first full season at third base, interleague play was making its debut, Michael Jordan was winning his fifth NBA championship, and Nick Markakis was in the eighth grade.
Quite a long time.
Extra Innings: For an organization in the midst of 11-straight losing seasons, the Orioles could definitely benefit from a stronger marketing campaign to create excitement for the 2009 season.
Though young pitchers such as Brian Matusz and Jake Arrieta were in the major league camp, MASN scheduled only four television appearances for the Orioles in the spring. In fact, Wednesday’s game against the Marlins will mark the first televised Orioles game on MASN in over three weeks.
Yes, televising spring games costs money and does not earn huge ratings, but subscribers are paying hefty fees to receive MASN in their cable lineups. The Orioles owe it to their customers to televise a few more games and could create more interest in the club in the process.
In comparison, the Yankees’ YES Network televised 16 spring games while the Red Sox’ NESN showed nine.
With struggling attendance, the Orioles need to provide more opportunities for fans to follow the team in the spring. Their own cable network is here; they need to use it.
Televising eight or nine spring games is more than reasonable.
For those turning to the radio for their Orioles fix, the flagship radio station 105.7 The Fan abandoned the final eight innings of Sunday’s broadcast following a lengthy rain delay.
While it may not have been a regular season game and will be forgotten quickly, the story is no less pathetic and was even featured on Yahoo! Sports.
With these television and radio blunders, the question begs to be asked: how badly do the Orioles even want their fans back?
The organization needs to try much harder.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Surviving the 2009 Orioles
Depending on how you look at the current state of the Baltimore Orioles, two vastly different conclusions come to mind.
On one hand, the Orioles’ minor league system is in better shape than it has been in over 20 years, consistently ranking in the top 10 according to various publications.
Along with catching sensation Matt Wieters, who is expected to be promoted to the big leagues in the early weeks of the 2009 season, the Orioles boast three of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball.
Brian Matusz (2008 first-round pick), Jake Arrieta (2007 fifth-round pick), and Chris Tillman (acquired from the Seattle Mariners in last winter’s Erik Bedard trade) provide a rock-solid foundation upon which the Orioles hope to rebuild their woeful pitching of the past decade.
In addition to these three, other top pitching prospects include Brad Bergesen, David Hernandez, Brandon Erbe, Zach Britton, Chorye Spoone, and Troy Patton.
Unlike past pitching prospects such as Rocky Coppinger, Sidney Ponson, and Adam Loewen, no single prospect needs to be viewed as the supreme savior for the organization, but all will instead be developed methodically, mastering each level of the minors before being promoted. The Orioles hope this depth will pay dividends in the near future.
General manager Andy MacPhail has continuously preached patience with the organization’s talented, but inexperienced, pitchers.
But from the other perspective, the thought of patience seems unbearable, if not impossible, to the many Orioles fans that have suffered through 11-straight losing seasons in the American League East. To them, the rebuilding has continued far too long.
“It’s time to win now—not in 2011,” they insist.
But sadly, they see a rotation that will only contend to be the worst rotation in 56 seasons of Orioles baseball, much less compete against the Yankees and Red Sox.
Beyond ace Jeremy Guthrie, the rotation overflows with question marks. Newcomer Koji Uehara was a star in Japan, but no one knows what to expect when the right-hander begins competing against the fierce lineups of the AL East.
Lefthander Rich Hill, acquired from the Chicago Cubs, hopes to regain his 2007 form in which he won 11 games and pitched to a 3.92 ERA, but has missed much of spring training with a sore elbow.
Though there is hope for these three to somehow keep the starting rotation afloat, the laundry list of candidates to fill out the final spots of the rotation includes veterans Mark Hendrickson, Danys Baez, and Adam Eaton and unproven young pitchers Brian Bass, Hayden Penn, and Alfredo Simon.
Yikes.
Clearly, the Orioles will not contend in the toughest division in baseball. The starting pitching will be too ineffective, and the improved offense and bullpen will not be able to overcome this deficiency.
So, the question begs to be asked: what should Orioles fans reasonably expect in 2009?
Those hoping and praying for a pennant race will inevitably be disappointed while those choosing to focus on the deficiencies of a rebuilding team and asking why the team is not trying to win this season will undoubtedly look past any bright spots concerning developing players such as Felix Pie and Adam Jones.
For Orioles fans bracing themselves for a 12th-straight year of losing baseball, the truth may hurt. The reality is the last 11 years of losing mean very little to the present state of the club. MacPhail was president of the Chicago Cubs while manager Dave Trembley was managing in the Cubs’ minor league system when this period of losing began in 1998.
Despite how infuriated Orioles fans have become over the decline of a once-proud franchise, these men cannot and should not concern themselves with the mistakes of their ineffective predecessors.
Fans have every right to criticize owner Peter Angelos, the one constant throughout the past 11 seasons of losing baseball. His annual late-season proclamations of grandeur for the following year are just a small sample of the empty promises given by the organization during his ownership.
Orioles’ loyalists deserve to be angry and have expressed their displeasure in recent years, ranging from a fan protest in 2006 to the drastic decline in attendance from 3.7 million in 1997 (the club’s last winning season) to just under two million fans in 2008.
Despite this anger and intense yearning for a winning team, many fans’ cry for a quick fix by signing a couple veteran pitchers is the wrong wish and is the exact thinking that has plagued the organization over the past decade.
For the first time throughout this eleven-year nightmare, the Orioles finally get it. They have finally committed to rebuilding after so many half-hearted, feeble attempts.
This organization should be playing for 2011—not making shortsighted moves for the false hope of competing in 2009.
Fans need to view the organization like that friend that has been driving around that beat-up car for years. Yeah, he tried to make the quick fixes and even used a bit of duct tape, but it never ran well. After years of denial, he finally conceded that it’s time to start over completely, because there’s just no salvaging it.
But, the question remains, does your friend look for that instant gratification and buy a used car with 85,000 miles on it, or drive the junker for just a little longer and save for something brand new?
Sure, that used car may look shiny and new after going through the carwash, but there’s no telling whether it’s going to run well for a few years or be a total lemon.
Investing in veteran pitchers and overpriced free agents would make the current Orioles a team that could approach .500 and maybe contend for a wild card if everything went absolutely perfectly.
But then what happens when these players break down and you’ve already committed millions of dollars to them? The young arms could potentially be ready, but there is no payroll flexibility to add that slugging first baseman or shortstop—not to mention you’re left with the predicament of dumping these veteran starters to create room for the younger pitchers.
Instead, MacPhail is making the right decision by saving the club’s money, enduring another season or two of misery while building that muscle car that can compete with any in the AL East.
The Orioles are saving, waiting for the young pitchers to develop, and then, when the time is right, they’ll spring for the bigger pieces to fill out the roster in free agency.
The plan is the right one, but will it succeed? No one can know for sure, especially in this division. And if the Orioles fail, the criticism will again be justified.
There is no guarantee with pitching prospects, as the Orioles have painfully learned over the last 11 years, but with the vast supply of promising talent, the odds are more favorable this time than any other in the past decade.
Fans may continue to gripe—surely, they have every right to complain until the Orioles retake their place among the game’s respected franchises—but this time, the Orioles are getting it right.
For fans doubting the approach of the franchise, they need only look back in its rich history.
Until the early-1960s, the Orioles struggled to avoid the “second division” of the American League. However, through the construction of a talented farm system based around pitching and defense, the club improved to the point of winning over 90 games in 1964 and 1965.
In December 1965, the Orioles finally knew they were one player away from a championship and sent pitcher Milt Pappas and two others to the Cincinnati Reds for a veteran right fielder named Frank Robinson, the dominant hitter that could put Baltimore over the top.
The rest was history, as the Orioles then embarked on one of the most successful 20-year stretches of any franchise in baseball history.
Obviously, the game is much different today with the high stakes of free agency, but the basic philosophy remains in MacPhail’s mind.
The current Orioles are building for something special, something long-lasting. And when the youthful pieces are in place, they’ll seek out another Frank Robinson to put them over the top.
But it’s going to take a little more patience.
Eleven years is a long time, no question. But hopefully, that excruciating wait will soon be worth it for Orioles fans.
On one hand, the Orioles’ minor league system is in better shape than it has been in over 20 years, consistently ranking in the top 10 according to various publications.
Along with catching sensation Matt Wieters, who is expected to be promoted to the big leagues in the early weeks of the 2009 season, the Orioles boast three of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball.
Brian Matusz (2008 first-round pick), Jake Arrieta (2007 fifth-round pick), and Chris Tillman (acquired from the Seattle Mariners in last winter’s Erik Bedard trade) provide a rock-solid foundation upon which the Orioles hope to rebuild their woeful pitching of the past decade.
In addition to these three, other top pitching prospects include Brad Bergesen, David Hernandez, Brandon Erbe, Zach Britton, Chorye Spoone, and Troy Patton.
Unlike past pitching prospects such as Rocky Coppinger, Sidney Ponson, and Adam Loewen, no single prospect needs to be viewed as the supreme savior for the organization, but all will instead be developed methodically, mastering each level of the minors before being promoted. The Orioles hope this depth will pay dividends in the near future.
General manager Andy MacPhail has continuously preached patience with the organization’s talented, but inexperienced, pitchers.
But from the other perspective, the thought of patience seems unbearable, if not impossible, to the many Orioles fans that have suffered through 11-straight losing seasons in the American League East. To them, the rebuilding has continued far too long.
“It’s time to win now—not in 2011,” they insist.
But sadly, they see a rotation that will only contend to be the worst rotation in 56 seasons of Orioles baseball, much less compete against the Yankees and Red Sox.
Beyond ace Jeremy Guthrie, the rotation overflows with question marks. Newcomer Koji Uehara was a star in Japan, but no one knows what to expect when the right-hander begins competing against the fierce lineups of the AL East.
Lefthander Rich Hill, acquired from the Chicago Cubs, hopes to regain his 2007 form in which he won 11 games and pitched to a 3.92 ERA, but has missed much of spring training with a sore elbow.
Though there is hope for these three to somehow keep the starting rotation afloat, the laundry list of candidates to fill out the final spots of the rotation includes veterans Mark Hendrickson, Danys Baez, and Adam Eaton and unproven young pitchers Brian Bass, Hayden Penn, and Alfredo Simon.
Yikes.
Clearly, the Orioles will not contend in the toughest division in baseball. The starting pitching will be too ineffective, and the improved offense and bullpen will not be able to overcome this deficiency.
So, the question begs to be asked: what should Orioles fans reasonably expect in 2009?
Those hoping and praying for a pennant race will inevitably be disappointed while those choosing to focus on the deficiencies of a rebuilding team and asking why the team is not trying to win this season will undoubtedly look past any bright spots concerning developing players such as Felix Pie and Adam Jones.
For Orioles fans bracing themselves for a 12th-straight year of losing baseball, the truth may hurt. The reality is the last 11 years of losing mean very little to the present state of the club. MacPhail was president of the Chicago Cubs while manager Dave Trembley was managing in the Cubs’ minor league system when this period of losing began in 1998.
Despite how infuriated Orioles fans have become over the decline of a once-proud franchise, these men cannot and should not concern themselves with the mistakes of their ineffective predecessors.
Fans have every right to criticize owner Peter Angelos, the one constant throughout the past 11 seasons of losing baseball. His annual late-season proclamations of grandeur for the following year are just a small sample of the empty promises given by the organization during his ownership.
Orioles’ loyalists deserve to be angry and have expressed their displeasure in recent years, ranging from a fan protest in 2006 to the drastic decline in attendance from 3.7 million in 1997 (the club’s last winning season) to just under two million fans in 2008.
Despite this anger and intense yearning for a winning team, many fans’ cry for a quick fix by signing a couple veteran pitchers is the wrong wish and is the exact thinking that has plagued the organization over the past decade.
For the first time throughout this eleven-year nightmare, the Orioles finally get it. They have finally committed to rebuilding after so many half-hearted, feeble attempts.
This organization should be playing for 2011—not making shortsighted moves for the false hope of competing in 2009.
Fans need to view the organization like that friend that has been driving around that beat-up car for years. Yeah, he tried to make the quick fixes and even used a bit of duct tape, but it never ran well. After years of denial, he finally conceded that it’s time to start over completely, because there’s just no salvaging it.
But, the question remains, does your friend look for that instant gratification and buy a used car with 85,000 miles on it, or drive the junker for just a little longer and save for something brand new?
Sure, that used car may look shiny and new after going through the carwash, but there’s no telling whether it’s going to run well for a few years or be a total lemon.
Investing in veteran pitchers and overpriced free agents would make the current Orioles a team that could approach .500 and maybe contend for a wild card if everything went absolutely perfectly.
But then what happens when these players break down and you’ve already committed millions of dollars to them? The young arms could potentially be ready, but there is no payroll flexibility to add that slugging first baseman or shortstop—not to mention you’re left with the predicament of dumping these veteran starters to create room for the younger pitchers.
Instead, MacPhail is making the right decision by saving the club’s money, enduring another season or two of misery while building that muscle car that can compete with any in the AL East.
The Orioles are saving, waiting for the young pitchers to develop, and then, when the time is right, they’ll spring for the bigger pieces to fill out the roster in free agency.
The plan is the right one, but will it succeed? No one can know for sure, especially in this division. And if the Orioles fail, the criticism will again be justified.
There is no guarantee with pitching prospects, as the Orioles have painfully learned over the last 11 years, but with the vast supply of promising talent, the odds are more favorable this time than any other in the past decade.
Fans may continue to gripe—surely, they have every right to complain until the Orioles retake their place among the game’s respected franchises—but this time, the Orioles are getting it right.
For fans doubting the approach of the franchise, they need only look back in its rich history.
Until the early-1960s, the Orioles struggled to avoid the “second division” of the American League. However, through the construction of a talented farm system based around pitching and defense, the club improved to the point of winning over 90 games in 1964 and 1965.
In December 1965, the Orioles finally knew they were one player away from a championship and sent pitcher Milt Pappas and two others to the Cincinnati Reds for a veteran right fielder named Frank Robinson, the dominant hitter that could put Baltimore over the top.
The rest was history, as the Orioles then embarked on one of the most successful 20-year stretches of any franchise in baseball history.
Obviously, the game is much different today with the high stakes of free agency, but the basic philosophy remains in MacPhail’s mind.
The current Orioles are building for something special, something long-lasting. And when the youthful pieces are in place, they’ll seek out another Frank Robinson to put them over the top.
But it’s going to take a little more patience.
Eleven years is a long time, no question. But hopefully, that excruciating wait will soon be worth it for Orioles fans.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Cringing at the Orioles' Starting Rotation
The vast improvement of the Baltimore Orioles’ minor league system brings much hope for an organization trying to break a string of 11-straight losing seasons and return to contention in the cutthroat American League East.
However, two decisions made over the weekend signal a harsh reality of the present, and the need for more patience as the organization waits for its bumper crop of starting pitching to mature in the minor leagues.
The Orioles optioned pitcher Brad Bergesen to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday despite the young right-hander being one of the biggest surprises of spring training.
Bergesen pitched 11 2/3 innings with a 3.09 ERA and 11 strikeouts, launching himself into consideration for a starting rotation spot before being demoted.
President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail has been assertive in stating the club’s approach in taking its time to promote their young pitchers, wanting them to gain experience at each level before being promoted to Baltimore.
This certainly makes sense, considering Bergesen has never pitched above Double-A Bowie. Manager Dave Trembley wants the young pitcher to improve his changeup and his ability to retire left-handed hitters before making his debut in Baltimore.
Trembley told reporters that Bergesen would be one of the top candidates for a promotion in the early stages of the season.
While the decision to option Bergesen is disappointing to those wanting to see the Orioles’ core of promising pitchers, it makes sense considering other young pitchers such as Hayden Penn and Brian Bass are out of options and would have to pass through waivers before being sent to Norfolk.
The Orioles are not playing for 2009, so it makes little sense to rush any of their top pitching prospects, especially when you have these young placeholders at the major league level that could improve their value for potential trades in the future.
This would be a logical plan, but another decision made by Trembley over the weekend raises more concern about the present state of the club.
Still vying for a spot in the starting rotation, Penn was scheduled to start on Sunday before rain postponed Saturday’s game. Instead of skipping veteran Mark Hendrickson’s scheduled Saturday start, Trembley started Hendrickson and bumped Penn into a relief role in which he pitched only two innings.
While the oft-injured Penn, 24, has lost the top-prospect status he enjoyed a few seasons ago, the club needs to give him and fellow young pitcher Brian Bass every opportunity to earn a spot in the starting rotation.
Skipping Penn for a veteran swingman like Hendrickson fails to provide that opportunity and does nothing for the club’s future.
Penn may not be a long-term solution in the starting rotation, but certainly provides more upside than veterans Adam Eaton and Danys Baez. The veterans have started a combined six games compared to none for Penn. Trembley has given Bass two starts this spring.
Eaton and Baez may provide the veteran presence Trembley likes on his club, but they do not provide a productive presence.
Eaton has failed to post an ERA below 5.00 since 2005 and was released by the Phillies before signing a minor league contract with the Orioles. Baez is returning from Tommy John surgery in 2008 and posted a 6.44 ERA for the Orioles in 2007.
Why are these ineffective veterans receiving more opportunities than Penn? A veteran does little for a staff if he is being annihilated every five days.
If the Orioles need a reminder of how letting a former top prospect go before giving him a fair opportunity can backfire, they only need to look at John Maine, who after making eight starts in Baltimore in 2005, was traded to the Mets for Kris Benson. Maine won 15 games in 2007 and 10 in 2008 for New York.
How many wins did Kris Benson have with the Orioles again? Eleven? But he was a strong veteran presence, right?
Penn and Bass are relative unknowns at the major league level, but they do not have to perform at a high level to match what Eaton and Baez would contribute to the club, and could easily exceed the veterans’ projected performance.
The Orioles need to move away from this obsession with ineffective veteran pitchers at the expense of giving opportunities to younger pitchers.
While Penn and Bass are unlikely to stick beyond the next season or two, they certainly have a higher ceiling than veteran retreads with no trade value.
If Penn or Bass can perform better than expected, it would be a nice problem to have when the next group of young pitchers is ready for the major leagues. If they do not perform, you simply unload them and find another Baez or Eaton on the waiver wire.
Regardless of which five pitchers make the Opening Day rotation, the results will not be pretty. After ace Jeremy Guthrie, who would be a middle-of-the-rotation arm for a contending club, the Orioles will send out four unproven, if not ineffective, starters against the likes of the Rays, Red Sox, and Yankees.
Though Koji Uehara created much excitement in spring training before going down with a hamstring injury, it is difficult to project how well the Japanese pitcher will perform against major league hitters. His lack of spring training innings further clouds the situation.
The team will receive another potential boost when lefty Rich Hill returns from injury and enters the rotation later in April. Pitching coach Rich Kranitz is trying to fix the former Cubs pitcher’s woes in hopes that he can return to his 2007 form.
Beyond these three, the best bet for tolerating the club’s starting rotation in the first half of 2009 is to close your eyes and think about August, when several of the organization’s young pitchers are projected to be ready for promotions.
The first wave could bring Bergesen, David Hernandez, and even two of the organization’s “Big Three," Jake Arrieta and Chris Tillman.
Starting then, the Orioles will be able to move away from ineffective veterans and out-of-option projects and focus on developing a top-notch staff to compete in the AL East.
But until that happens, whether it’s young placeholders such as Penn and Bass, or veteran outcasts like Baez and Eaton, it figures to be a long couple of months in Baltimore.
However, two decisions made over the weekend signal a harsh reality of the present, and the need for more patience as the organization waits for its bumper crop of starting pitching to mature in the minor leagues.
The Orioles optioned pitcher Brad Bergesen to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday despite the young right-hander being one of the biggest surprises of spring training.
Bergesen pitched 11 2/3 innings with a 3.09 ERA and 11 strikeouts, launching himself into consideration for a starting rotation spot before being demoted.
President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail has been assertive in stating the club’s approach in taking its time to promote their young pitchers, wanting them to gain experience at each level before being promoted to Baltimore.
This certainly makes sense, considering Bergesen has never pitched above Double-A Bowie. Manager Dave Trembley wants the young pitcher to improve his changeup and his ability to retire left-handed hitters before making his debut in Baltimore.
Trembley told reporters that Bergesen would be one of the top candidates for a promotion in the early stages of the season.
While the decision to option Bergesen is disappointing to those wanting to see the Orioles’ core of promising pitchers, it makes sense considering other young pitchers such as Hayden Penn and Brian Bass are out of options and would have to pass through waivers before being sent to Norfolk.
The Orioles are not playing for 2009, so it makes little sense to rush any of their top pitching prospects, especially when you have these young placeholders at the major league level that could improve their value for potential trades in the future.
This would be a logical plan, but another decision made by Trembley over the weekend raises more concern about the present state of the club.
Still vying for a spot in the starting rotation, Penn was scheduled to start on Sunday before rain postponed Saturday’s game. Instead of skipping veteran Mark Hendrickson’s scheduled Saturday start, Trembley started Hendrickson and bumped Penn into a relief role in which he pitched only two innings.
While the oft-injured Penn, 24, has lost the top-prospect status he enjoyed a few seasons ago, the club needs to give him and fellow young pitcher Brian Bass every opportunity to earn a spot in the starting rotation.
Skipping Penn for a veteran swingman like Hendrickson fails to provide that opportunity and does nothing for the club’s future.
Penn may not be a long-term solution in the starting rotation, but certainly provides more upside than veterans Adam Eaton and Danys Baez. The veterans have started a combined six games compared to none for Penn. Trembley has given Bass two starts this spring.
Eaton and Baez may provide the veteran presence Trembley likes on his club, but they do not provide a productive presence.
Eaton has failed to post an ERA below 5.00 since 2005 and was released by the Phillies before signing a minor league contract with the Orioles. Baez is returning from Tommy John surgery in 2008 and posted a 6.44 ERA for the Orioles in 2007.
Why are these ineffective veterans receiving more opportunities than Penn? A veteran does little for a staff if he is being annihilated every five days.
If the Orioles need a reminder of how letting a former top prospect go before giving him a fair opportunity can backfire, they only need to look at John Maine, who after making eight starts in Baltimore in 2005, was traded to the Mets for Kris Benson. Maine won 15 games in 2007 and 10 in 2008 for New York.
How many wins did Kris Benson have with the Orioles again? Eleven? But he was a strong veteran presence, right?
Penn and Bass are relative unknowns at the major league level, but they do not have to perform at a high level to match what Eaton and Baez would contribute to the club, and could easily exceed the veterans’ projected performance.
The Orioles need to move away from this obsession with ineffective veteran pitchers at the expense of giving opportunities to younger pitchers.
While Penn and Bass are unlikely to stick beyond the next season or two, they certainly have a higher ceiling than veteran retreads with no trade value.
If Penn or Bass can perform better than expected, it would be a nice problem to have when the next group of young pitchers is ready for the major leagues. If they do not perform, you simply unload them and find another Baez or Eaton on the waiver wire.
Regardless of which five pitchers make the Opening Day rotation, the results will not be pretty. After ace Jeremy Guthrie, who would be a middle-of-the-rotation arm for a contending club, the Orioles will send out four unproven, if not ineffective, starters against the likes of the Rays, Red Sox, and Yankees.
Though Koji Uehara created much excitement in spring training before going down with a hamstring injury, it is difficult to project how well the Japanese pitcher will perform against major league hitters. His lack of spring training innings further clouds the situation.
The team will receive another potential boost when lefty Rich Hill returns from injury and enters the rotation later in April. Pitching coach Rich Kranitz is trying to fix the former Cubs pitcher’s woes in hopes that he can return to his 2007 form.
Beyond these three, the best bet for tolerating the club’s starting rotation in the first half of 2009 is to close your eyes and think about August, when several of the organization’s young pitchers are projected to be ready for promotions.
The first wave could bring Bergesen, David Hernandez, and even two of the organization’s “Big Three," Jake Arrieta and Chris Tillman.
Starting then, the Orioles will be able to move away from ineffective veterans and out-of-option projects and focus on developing a top-notch staff to compete in the AL East.
But until that happens, whether it’s young placeholders such as Penn and Bass, or veteran outcasts like Baez and Eaton, it figures to be a long couple of months in Baltimore.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Monday Musings in the World of Baltimore Sports
The latest chapter in the Ray Lewis saga has the 10-time Pro Bowl linebacker envisioning suiting up for the Cowboys next season.
Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware told DallasCowboys.com that Lewis' "dream" was to play for Dallas, and he has been discussing it with Ware for months.
This story screams negotiating ploy as Lewis continues to try to generate a bigger market for himself. What better way is there to drive up the market than to drop hints to opposing players that he would be interested in signing there?
While it's likely that Lewis has voiced an interest in the Cowboys to Ware, there's no telling how serious he really is about playing in Dallas. Also, consider how much the All-Pro Ware would like to play with another star like Lewis. It would be easy to take a few comments and turn them into it being Lewis' "dream."
Lewis has sounded off to several media sources this offseason, but this is nothing new. He has never been afraid to speak his mind, even if it means ruffling some feathers in Baltimore.
Following an injury-plagued 2005 season, Lewis campaigned for a new defensive tackle to protect him and even went as far as requesting a trade if general manager Ozzie Newsome failed to do so. The Ravens drafted Haloti Ngata in the first round of the 2006 draft, appeasing Lewis in the process.
One thing is certain: if Lewis departs for greener (no pun intended) pastures, he will definitely leave a few burnt bridges that could potentially hurt him in the future if he plans to start any business ventures in the Charm City.
Stay tuned for the next edition of 'Ray's of Our Lives.
***
The agent of center Jason Brown and linebacker Bart Scott said Monday that he expects one of his two clients to re-sign with the Ravens before hitting the free agent market on Friday.
It's hard to believe that Brown or Scott would sign only days away from being able to field offers from other teams.
Brown is believed to be seeking guard compensation similar to what Jets guard Alan Faneca received in free agency last season. This would put the Ravens center in the $8 million per year range, likely to be more than the Ravens are willing to go.
While Brown has provided strong leadership for a young offensive line, the 2005 fourth-round pick has never been selected to the Pro Bowl.
The Ravens would like to keep Brown but are prepared to move guard Chris Chester to center, especially with the expected return of right guard Marshal Yanda.
If not for Chester's play in place of Yanda last season, the Ravens would be panicking over the potential loss of Brown, but the team seems willing to let him go if the price climbs as high as it's rumored to go.
The more intriguing possibility would be the Ravens signing Scott to a contract before Friday, leaving fellow linebacker Lewis in a precarious position.
While the team has spoken publicly about maintaining both linebackers in addition to the franchise-tagged Terrell Suggs, it is considered a long shot given the team's other free agents and salary cap situation.
Signing Scott would send a message to Lewis that the Ravens are prepared to move on without him, putting more pressure on Lewis to find a suitor that will meet his high financial demands.
My guess is that neither Scott nor Brown is inked to a contract before free agency begins.
***
Free agent safety Jim Leonhard was one of the surprises of the 2008 season, filling in for Dawan Landry after the starter suffered a season-ending neck injury.
In addition to providing solid play in the secondary, the savvy Leonhard provided a spark in the team's punt return game, replacing the oft-injured and ineffective Yamon Figurs.
Though Leonhard would be nice to retain, I have a difficult time understanding the strong infatuation with the undersized safety, especially when he's expected to be in high demand in free agency.
Leonhard is a poor tackler, an area the Ravens need to improve in the secondary as cornerback Fabian Washington is a liability in run support and safety Ed Reed's tackling has declined due to lingering neck and shoulder issues.
The Ravens need a strong tackler to complement Reed in the backfield, the type of player Leonhard is not.
With the drafting of safeties Haruki Nakamura and Tom Zbikowski in 2008 and the expected return of Landry, the Ravens should not view maintaining Leonhard as a high priority.
***
Though position players reported to Spring Training five days ago, Orioles left fielder Felix Pie is still absent due to visa issues in the Dominican Republic.
Having been acquired in a trade with the Chicago Cubs, Pie is expected to be the starting left fielder, but general manager Andy MacPhail and manager Dave Trembley need time to evaluate the young outfielder.
While visa issues are common in the early days of Spring Training, Pie needs as much time as he can to acclimate himself to new teammates and a new coaching staff.
Pie's absence figures to benefit outfielder Lou Montanez and prospect Nolan Reimold, two players that have seemingly been surpassed by the former Cub in the organization's plans for the future.
A strong spring by either could put more pressure on the club to find a spot for them on the 25-man roster, but with Pie being out of options; it would probably take an injury of some kind to open a spot for Montanez or Reimold.
Update: The Baltimore Sun is reporting Pie's visa issues have been resolved, and the young outfielder will report to Spring Training as early as Tuesday morning.
***
I hope 2006 first-round selection Billy Rowell is paying attention to what's happening in Fort Lauderdale. The third baseman had a disappointing season at Single-A Frederick in 2008, hitting only .248 and slugging only .368.
While the 20-year-old prospect is still in the organization's long-term plans, Trembley was complimentary of first baseman and 2005 first-round pick Brandon Snyder this week at Spring Training, citing his strong power to the opposite field.
The former catcher temporarily fell off the radar after suffering a shoulder injury in 2006, but the first baseman put up impressive numbers at Frederick last season, hitting .315 with 80 RBI.
Snyder has seen limited time at third base, and there has been discussion of giving the 22-year old more opportunities to develop at the hot corner.
The talk of Snyder potentially becoming an option at third base sends a message to Rowell that the organization will not wait forever for his development.
Critics have questioned Rowell's work ethic and openness to coaching, and Trembley's strong praise of Snyder hopefully provides a push for Rowell to step up his play in 2009.
It's too early to give up on Rowell when you consider he was drafted at the age of 17, but this figures to be a pivotal year in determining whether he will be a legitimate prospect moving forward.
The farm system's infield talent is minimal and with the impending free agency of Melvin Mora and Aubrey Huff following the season, the organization needs Snyder and Rowell to continue to develop.
***
Following Maryland's shocking 88-85 overtime upset over North Carolina, the students rushed the floor of the Comcast Center, mobbing Greivis Vasquez and the victorious Terrapins.
This predictably sparked the tired debate of when it's acceptable to rush the court after a big win in college basketball.
While the celebration may be a reflection of how far Maryland has fallen over the past five seasons, critics should consider the fact that most students currently enrolled at Maryland have only witnessed one NCAA tournament appearance in their college careers.
Let them celebrate, as you never know when another win as improbable as Saturday's will take place again. As long as the rioting is kept to a minimum, the students are entitled to enjoy the win.
Now, the debate on the safety issues involved in students rushing the floor is another story entirely.
Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware told DallasCowboys.com that Lewis' "dream" was to play for Dallas, and he has been discussing it with Ware for months.
This story screams negotiating ploy as Lewis continues to try to generate a bigger market for himself. What better way is there to drive up the market than to drop hints to opposing players that he would be interested in signing there?
While it's likely that Lewis has voiced an interest in the Cowboys to Ware, there's no telling how serious he really is about playing in Dallas. Also, consider how much the All-Pro Ware would like to play with another star like Lewis. It would be easy to take a few comments and turn them into it being Lewis' "dream."
Lewis has sounded off to several media sources this offseason, but this is nothing new. He has never been afraid to speak his mind, even if it means ruffling some feathers in Baltimore.
Following an injury-plagued 2005 season, Lewis campaigned for a new defensive tackle to protect him and even went as far as requesting a trade if general manager Ozzie Newsome failed to do so. The Ravens drafted Haloti Ngata in the first round of the 2006 draft, appeasing Lewis in the process.
One thing is certain: if Lewis departs for greener (no pun intended) pastures, he will definitely leave a few burnt bridges that could potentially hurt him in the future if he plans to start any business ventures in the Charm City.
Stay tuned for the next edition of 'Ray's of Our Lives.
***
The agent of center Jason Brown and linebacker Bart Scott said Monday that he expects one of his two clients to re-sign with the Ravens before hitting the free agent market on Friday.
It's hard to believe that Brown or Scott would sign only days away from being able to field offers from other teams.
Brown is believed to be seeking guard compensation similar to what Jets guard Alan Faneca received in free agency last season. This would put the Ravens center in the $8 million per year range, likely to be more than the Ravens are willing to go.
While Brown has provided strong leadership for a young offensive line, the 2005 fourth-round pick has never been selected to the Pro Bowl.
The Ravens would like to keep Brown but are prepared to move guard Chris Chester to center, especially with the expected return of right guard Marshal Yanda.
If not for Chester's play in place of Yanda last season, the Ravens would be panicking over the potential loss of Brown, but the team seems willing to let him go if the price climbs as high as it's rumored to go.
The more intriguing possibility would be the Ravens signing Scott to a contract before Friday, leaving fellow linebacker Lewis in a precarious position.
While the team has spoken publicly about maintaining both linebackers in addition to the franchise-tagged Terrell Suggs, it is considered a long shot given the team's other free agents and salary cap situation.
Signing Scott would send a message to Lewis that the Ravens are prepared to move on without him, putting more pressure on Lewis to find a suitor that will meet his high financial demands.
My guess is that neither Scott nor Brown is inked to a contract before free agency begins.
***
Free agent safety Jim Leonhard was one of the surprises of the 2008 season, filling in for Dawan Landry after the starter suffered a season-ending neck injury.
In addition to providing solid play in the secondary, the savvy Leonhard provided a spark in the team's punt return game, replacing the oft-injured and ineffective Yamon Figurs.
Though Leonhard would be nice to retain, I have a difficult time understanding the strong infatuation with the undersized safety, especially when he's expected to be in high demand in free agency.
Leonhard is a poor tackler, an area the Ravens need to improve in the secondary as cornerback Fabian Washington is a liability in run support and safety Ed Reed's tackling has declined due to lingering neck and shoulder issues.
The Ravens need a strong tackler to complement Reed in the backfield, the type of player Leonhard is not.
With the drafting of safeties Haruki Nakamura and Tom Zbikowski in 2008 and the expected return of Landry, the Ravens should not view maintaining Leonhard as a high priority.
***
Though position players reported to Spring Training five days ago, Orioles left fielder Felix Pie is still absent due to visa issues in the Dominican Republic.
Having been acquired in a trade with the Chicago Cubs, Pie is expected to be the starting left fielder, but general manager Andy MacPhail and manager Dave Trembley need time to evaluate the young outfielder.
While visa issues are common in the early days of Spring Training, Pie needs as much time as he can to acclimate himself to new teammates and a new coaching staff.
Pie's absence figures to benefit outfielder Lou Montanez and prospect Nolan Reimold, two players that have seemingly been surpassed by the former Cub in the organization's plans for the future.
A strong spring by either could put more pressure on the club to find a spot for them on the 25-man roster, but with Pie being out of options; it would probably take an injury of some kind to open a spot for Montanez or Reimold.
Update: The Baltimore Sun is reporting Pie's visa issues have been resolved, and the young outfielder will report to Spring Training as early as Tuesday morning.
***
I hope 2006 first-round selection Billy Rowell is paying attention to what's happening in Fort Lauderdale. The third baseman had a disappointing season at Single-A Frederick in 2008, hitting only .248 and slugging only .368.
While the 20-year-old prospect is still in the organization's long-term plans, Trembley was complimentary of first baseman and 2005 first-round pick Brandon Snyder this week at Spring Training, citing his strong power to the opposite field.
The former catcher temporarily fell off the radar after suffering a shoulder injury in 2006, but the first baseman put up impressive numbers at Frederick last season, hitting .315 with 80 RBI.
Snyder has seen limited time at third base, and there has been discussion of giving the 22-year old more opportunities to develop at the hot corner.
The talk of Snyder potentially becoming an option at third base sends a message to Rowell that the organization will not wait forever for his development.
Critics have questioned Rowell's work ethic and openness to coaching, and Trembley's strong praise of Snyder hopefully provides a push for Rowell to step up his play in 2009.
It's too early to give up on Rowell when you consider he was drafted at the age of 17, but this figures to be a pivotal year in determining whether he will be a legitimate prospect moving forward.
The farm system's infield talent is minimal and with the impending free agency of Melvin Mora and Aubrey Huff following the season, the organization needs Snyder and Rowell to continue to develop.
***
Following Maryland's shocking 88-85 overtime upset over North Carolina, the students rushed the floor of the Comcast Center, mobbing Greivis Vasquez and the victorious Terrapins.
This predictably sparked the tired debate of when it's acceptable to rush the court after a big win in college basketball.
While the celebration may be a reflection of how far Maryland has fallen over the past five seasons, critics should consider the fact that most students currently enrolled at Maryland have only witnessed one NCAA tournament appearance in their college careers.
Let them celebrate, as you never know when another win as improbable as Saturday's will take place again. As long as the rioting is kept to a minimum, the students are entitled to enjoy the win.
Now, the debate on the safety issues involved in students rushing the floor is another story entirely.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Monday Musings in the World of Sports
Watching Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal share the All-Star Game MVP award reminded us how dominant the duo really was despite their dysfunctional relationship in Los Angeles.
Who knows how many championships they could have won had egos not ruined their run?
Even after receiving the award, Bryant had to remind everyone that he and O’Neal are far from being best friends.
“We are not going to go back to the room and watch 'Steel Magnolias' or something like that, you know what I'm saying, crying, all that stuff,” he said. “We had a good time. That's all.”
Yes, we get it, Kobe. You’re still insecure about being in O’Neal’s big shadow.
***
The All-Star Game is often a punch line used to point out the absence of defense in the professional game, but it’s difficult to overlook how special it is to see so many stars playing on the same court.
From LeBron James and Chris Paul to Yao Ming and Amare Stoudemire, the talent on the floor is unbelievable.
Now, if only these stars treated the contest as more than a relaxed pickup game, we could truly get excited about watching.
To create more intensity in the game, should the NBA take a page from Major League Baseball and award home-court advantage in the NBA Finals to the winning conference? Yeah, I didn’t think so either.
***
General manager Andy MacPhail and manager Dave Trembley can continue to explain how Orioles catching prospect Matt Wieters is not ready for the big leagues and needs more seasoning in Triple-A Norfolk, but no one is buying it.
Wieters’ staggering minor league numbers in 2008 proved to everyone that he’s ready to take the next step.
This move is all about the money, and it’s difficult to fault the Orioles for doing it. No matter how well Wieters performs in 2009, it will not turn the Orioles into a serious contender. However, having Wieters in 2015 would be extremely beneficial if the Orioles are seriously contending, something they plan to be doing long before then.
Wieters is represented by Scott Boras, so he will clearly be looking for the biggest contract he can get when he hits free agency. By sacrificing Wieters’ production for a few weeks in 2009, they could be saving an inordinate amount of money by keeping Wieters in 2015 when he figures to be in the prime of his career.
Could Wieters benefit from working with some of the organization’s young pitchers at Norfolk? Sure, but the young pitchers will be getting way more out of it than Wieters will. This one’s all about the money, and it’s the right move.
***
Matt Kenseth won his first Daytona 500 in a rain-shortened 152 laps. Taking nothing away from his special moment, I cannot help but shrug my shoulders.
While the weather is out of anyone’s control, it seems anticlimactic to award your sport’s equivalent of the Super Bowl or World Series to the winner after completing only three quarters of the race.
Can you imagine the Pittsburgh Steelers being awarded the title at the end of the third quarter? Can you envision the Philadelphia Phillies winning the World Series after the sixth inning of Game 5? Oh wait, it almost happened, but baseball made sure the Fall Classic had its proper ending.
To avoid this problem in the future, NASCAR should consider finishing the race the next day or schedule the race a week earlier, leaving an open weekend in the schedule to account for inclement weather. It may not be ideal, but it is better than having a race end when no one is even aware of it.
***
Bills running back Marshawn Lynch is just the latest example of a professional athlete completely out of touch with reality after being arrested and charged for possession of a concealed firearm over the weekend.
Where was Lynch when Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress was shooting himself in the leg at a Manhattan nightclub last November? How many of their colleagues have to get busted to understand they are not immune to the laws we, as a society, must all obey?
Again, any athlete needing to carry a loaded firearm should hire security, or better yet, reevaluate the decision to go to these places where they feel the need to have such protection. Just using some common sense would keep more of these players out of trouble.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has received occasional criticism for the severe discipline levied on troubled players, but the message needs to be sent, especially if the legal system is unwilling to crack down on these millionaires.
***
The debate will continue on Maryland basketball coach Gary Williams’ recruiting efforts and practices, but there’s no questioning his coaching ability.
In Maryland’s impressive 83-73 home victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday, Williams pushed all the right buttons and managed a rotation that had four Terps scoring in double figures.
Williams is a victim of his own success, losing several assistant coaches over the years and being unable to replace their recruiting ties. Having always relied on his assistants to sign recruits, Williams simply lacks the troops to help him.
While the landscape of recruiting has changed with the emergence of AAU teams as an overwhelming factor, Williams has been unable, and possibly unwilling, to adapt.
Until this issue is addressed, Williams will continue to get everything he can out of his players on the court, but Maryland will continue to struggle in the talent-heavy ACC.
Who knows how many championships they could have won had egos not ruined their run?
Even after receiving the award, Bryant had to remind everyone that he and O’Neal are far from being best friends.
“We are not going to go back to the room and watch 'Steel Magnolias' or something like that, you know what I'm saying, crying, all that stuff,” he said. “We had a good time. That's all.”
Yes, we get it, Kobe. You’re still insecure about being in O’Neal’s big shadow.
***
The All-Star Game is often a punch line used to point out the absence of defense in the professional game, but it’s difficult to overlook how special it is to see so many stars playing on the same court.
From LeBron James and Chris Paul to Yao Ming and Amare Stoudemire, the talent on the floor is unbelievable.
Now, if only these stars treated the contest as more than a relaxed pickup game, we could truly get excited about watching.
To create more intensity in the game, should the NBA take a page from Major League Baseball and award home-court advantage in the NBA Finals to the winning conference? Yeah, I didn’t think so either.
***
General manager Andy MacPhail and manager Dave Trembley can continue to explain how Orioles catching prospect Matt Wieters is not ready for the big leagues and needs more seasoning in Triple-A Norfolk, but no one is buying it.
Wieters’ staggering minor league numbers in 2008 proved to everyone that he’s ready to take the next step.
This move is all about the money, and it’s difficult to fault the Orioles for doing it. No matter how well Wieters performs in 2009, it will not turn the Orioles into a serious contender. However, having Wieters in 2015 would be extremely beneficial if the Orioles are seriously contending, something they plan to be doing long before then.
Wieters is represented by Scott Boras, so he will clearly be looking for the biggest contract he can get when he hits free agency. By sacrificing Wieters’ production for a few weeks in 2009, they could be saving an inordinate amount of money by keeping Wieters in 2015 when he figures to be in the prime of his career.
Could Wieters benefit from working with some of the organization’s young pitchers at Norfolk? Sure, but the young pitchers will be getting way more out of it than Wieters will. This one’s all about the money, and it’s the right move.
***
Matt Kenseth won his first Daytona 500 in a rain-shortened 152 laps. Taking nothing away from his special moment, I cannot help but shrug my shoulders.
While the weather is out of anyone’s control, it seems anticlimactic to award your sport’s equivalent of the Super Bowl or World Series to the winner after completing only three quarters of the race.
Can you imagine the Pittsburgh Steelers being awarded the title at the end of the third quarter? Can you envision the Philadelphia Phillies winning the World Series after the sixth inning of Game 5? Oh wait, it almost happened, but baseball made sure the Fall Classic had its proper ending.
To avoid this problem in the future, NASCAR should consider finishing the race the next day or schedule the race a week earlier, leaving an open weekend in the schedule to account for inclement weather. It may not be ideal, but it is better than having a race end when no one is even aware of it.
***
Bills running back Marshawn Lynch is just the latest example of a professional athlete completely out of touch with reality after being arrested and charged for possession of a concealed firearm over the weekend.
Where was Lynch when Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress was shooting himself in the leg at a Manhattan nightclub last November? How many of their colleagues have to get busted to understand they are not immune to the laws we, as a society, must all obey?
Again, any athlete needing to carry a loaded firearm should hire security, or better yet, reevaluate the decision to go to these places where they feel the need to have such protection. Just using some common sense would keep more of these players out of trouble.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has received occasional criticism for the severe discipline levied on troubled players, but the message needs to be sent, especially if the legal system is unwilling to crack down on these millionaires.
***
The debate will continue on Maryland basketball coach Gary Williams’ recruiting efforts and practices, but there’s no questioning his coaching ability.
In Maryland’s impressive 83-73 home victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday, Williams pushed all the right buttons and managed a rotation that had four Terps scoring in double figures.
Williams is a victim of his own success, losing several assistant coaches over the years and being unable to replace their recruiting ties. Having always relied on his assistants to sign recruits, Williams simply lacks the troops to help him.
While the landscape of recruiting has changed with the emergence of AAU teams as an overwhelming factor, Williams has been unable, and possibly unwilling, to adapt.
Until this issue is addressed, Williams will continue to get everything he can out of his players on the court, but Maryland will continue to struggle in the talent-heavy ACC.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Five Stories Headlining Spring Training
Pitchers and catchers report on Saturday.
Six words that mean so much to a baseball fan.
A signal that spring is on the way after the harshness of winter. The hope that comes with a new baseball season. Regardless of what happened last year, there is always that chance, how slim it might be, that this year could be different; could be special.
For Baltimore fans, this annual spring hope has brought little in return in the past 11 losing seasons, but this spring almost comes as a relief.
The past week’s baseball news has been disheartening to say the least, both on the national stage with the fall of Alex Rodriguez and locally with the sagas of Miguel Tejada and Roberto Alomar.
For Orioles fans, expectations are again tempered playing in the difficult American League East, but for the first time in years, there is light at the end of the tunnel. An affluent crop of pitching in the farm system may finally put the Orioles in a position to compete with the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays in the near future.
The Orioles may be another year or two away from taking the next step, but there are five stories worth watching in Fort Lauderdale this spring.
1. Quantity, but Quality Too?
The Orioles will bring 37 pitchers to the major league camp in hopes of finding the names to fill a wide-open starting rotation and a promising bullpen.
Although ace Jeremy Guthrie and Japanese newcomer Koji Uehara are seemingly entrenched at the top of the rotation, the names that will fill the last three spots are anybody’s guess.
“The Big Three,” pitching prospects Chris Tillman, Jake Arrieta, and Brian Matusz may not arrive until later this season or next, but several other young arms will be vying for manager Dave Trembley’s attention.
Former top prospect Hayden Penn will finally try to prove he belongs in the Orioles’ rotation. Penn has battled injuries and some freakish bad luck but will battle for a spot in the rotation or long relief.
Many are quick to write him off as a viable option, but at 24, Penn is still young enough to reinsert himself in the club’s future plans. He is out of options, so barring a disastrous spring, it would seem Penn breaks north with the club.
Newcomer David Pauley will also be a contender for the rotation. After finding success in the Red Sox system but receiving few opportunities in the majors, the 25-year old was acquired for reliever Randor Bierd. Pauley possesses a good sinker and a solid curveball. A change of scenery could be ideal for the right-hander.
Sticking with the theme of needing a fresh start, former Cubs pitcher Rich Hill was sent to the Orioles for a player to be named later. After posting a 3.92 ERA and winning 11 games in 2007, the southpaw fell apart last season, losing his command and eventually his spot in the Cubs’ rotation. The Orioles hope a reunion with pitching coach Rick Kranitz can reverse Hill’s control problems.
Other names to watch in the battle for the rotation include right-handers Matt Albers (returning from a shoulder injury), Brian Bass, Radhames Liz and lefties Chris Waters, and the reacquired John Parrish.
2. The Face of the Franchise
Severna Park native Mark Teixeira may have spurned the Orioles’ attempts to bring him home, but general manager Andy MacPhail showed the organization is willing to pay its own homegrown talent.
After failing to reach a long-term deal last offseason, the Orioles signed right fielder Nick Markakis to a six-year, $66M deal, officially branding the 25-year old as the face of the franchise.
Markakis is the type of player to build your team around, having all the tools needed to become a star. The super-reserved Markakis seemed more relaxed and comfortable at the press conference announcing the deal, possibly foreshadowing a willingness to take on a more vocal role with the club.
It will be interesting to see how Markakis performs after signing the second-richest contract in club history.
3. “Wieting” in the Wings
Catching prospect Matt Wieters will continue to be the talk of the Charm City until he arrives at Orioles Park at Camden Yards.
The organization figures to start the Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year at Triple-A Norfolk. MacPhail and Trembley will speak of Wieters needing more experience calling pitches before joining the big leagues, but it’s only window-dressing.
The Orioles will pull an “Evan Longoria” by starting Wieters in the minor leagues for the first weeks of the season. This would delay the start of his service time, impeding his eligibility for free agency until after the 2015 season. With the shrewd Scott Boras serving as his agent, the Orioles would be making a wise decision to hold onto Wieters as long as they can.
Of course, all bets might be off if Wieters hits .450 in spring training and forces the team’s hand. Sound unlikely? Maybe not.
Baseball Prospectus’ Kevin Goldstein wrote in January that Wieters is already the best player on the club and is “quite possibly the best catcher in the game.” Keep in mind, Wieters has never played above Double-A. Can you say hype?
4. Athletes in the Outfield
While Markakis has become the mainstay in right field, the Orioles have secured promising pieces in center and right.
Adam Jones had a solid debut in Baltimore despite missing time with a broken foot last season. The gifted centerfielder needs to improve his plate discipline with only 28 walks and 108 strikeouts in 477 at bats, but his hitting improved prior to the trip to the disabled list in early August.
Reports indicate the 23-year old added some muscle in the offseason, so his power numbers should improve in 2009.
Roaming left field will be newcomer Felix Pie, a former top prospect for the Cubs whom the Orioles attempted to acquire in the Brian Roberts’ trade talks a year ago. After struggling in 2008 in limited opportunities with Chicago, the Orioles were able to grab the 23-year old in a trade for pitcher Garrett Olson.
Pie received only 260 at bats with the Cubs in two seasons despite being ranked the top prospect in the organization at one time. He possesses four of the five tools, though some believe he can still develop more power, and is an intriguing low-risk, high-reward acquisition.
Could the addition of Pie give the Orioles the best young outfield in baseball? All three outfielders play great defense, and if Pie’s 2009 production can approach what Jones did last season, the Orioles could be looking at a dynamic trio in the outfield for many years to come.
5. A Closer Encounter
The return of hard-throwing Chris Ray from Tommy John surgery crowds the backend of the bullpen, always a good problem to have.
Ray was the team’s closer in 2006 and 2007 but will have to unseat All-Star stopper George Sherrill to regain his job.
Sherrill had a dominating first half in 2008 before struggling down the stretch with a sore shoulder, finishing with a 4.73 earned run average and 31 saves. He could be more valuable to the bullpen as a left-handed specialist, especially if veteran lefty Jamie Walker is unable to rebound from a rough 2008.
Look for Trembley to give Sherrill every opportunity to win the job, considering Trembley was not present during most of Ray’s tenure as closer.
Regardless of how the closer situation is resolved, the back of the bullpen looks to be a strength. Setting up Ray and Sherrill will be right-hander Jim Johnson who enjoyed much success in his first full season with the Orioles.
If the Orioles can somehow bridge the gap from the starting pitching to the seventh inning, these three have the ability to shorten games and give the club more opportunities to win.
Here’s an early shot in the dark of how the roster could look when the Orioles break camp and head north to Baltimore.
Lineup
2B Brian Roberts S
CF Adam Jones R
RF Nick Markakis L
1B Aubrey Huff L
3B Melvin Mora R
DH Luke Scott L
C Gregg Zaun S
LF Felix Pie L
SS Cesar Izturis S
Bench
IF/OF Ryan Freel R
IF/OF Ty Wigginton R
IF Chris Gomez R
C Guillermo Quiroz R
Rotation
Jeremy Guthrie R
Koji Uehara R
Rich Hill L
David Pauley R
Hayden Penn R
Bullpen
Matt Albers R
Mark Hendrickson L
Dennis Sarfate R
Jamie Walker L
Jim Johnson R
Chris Ray R
George Sherrill (closer) L
What will you be following as the Orioles prepare for the 2009 season in Ft. Lauderdale? Who will win a spot in the starting rotation? Leave your thoughts below.
Six words that mean so much to a baseball fan.
A signal that spring is on the way after the harshness of winter. The hope that comes with a new baseball season. Regardless of what happened last year, there is always that chance, how slim it might be, that this year could be different; could be special.
For Baltimore fans, this annual spring hope has brought little in return in the past 11 losing seasons, but this spring almost comes as a relief.
The past week’s baseball news has been disheartening to say the least, both on the national stage with the fall of Alex Rodriguez and locally with the sagas of Miguel Tejada and Roberto Alomar.
For Orioles fans, expectations are again tempered playing in the difficult American League East, but for the first time in years, there is light at the end of the tunnel. An affluent crop of pitching in the farm system may finally put the Orioles in a position to compete with the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays in the near future.
The Orioles may be another year or two away from taking the next step, but there are five stories worth watching in Fort Lauderdale this spring.
1. Quantity, but Quality Too?
The Orioles will bring 37 pitchers to the major league camp in hopes of finding the names to fill a wide-open starting rotation and a promising bullpen.
Although ace Jeremy Guthrie and Japanese newcomer Koji Uehara are seemingly entrenched at the top of the rotation, the names that will fill the last three spots are anybody’s guess.
“The Big Three,” pitching prospects Chris Tillman, Jake Arrieta, and Brian Matusz may not arrive until later this season or next, but several other young arms will be vying for manager Dave Trembley’s attention.
Former top prospect Hayden Penn will finally try to prove he belongs in the Orioles’ rotation. Penn has battled injuries and some freakish bad luck but will battle for a spot in the rotation or long relief.
Many are quick to write him off as a viable option, but at 24, Penn is still young enough to reinsert himself in the club’s future plans. He is out of options, so barring a disastrous spring, it would seem Penn breaks north with the club.
Newcomer David Pauley will also be a contender for the rotation. After finding success in the Red Sox system but receiving few opportunities in the majors, the 25-year old was acquired for reliever Randor Bierd. Pauley possesses a good sinker and a solid curveball. A change of scenery could be ideal for the right-hander.
Sticking with the theme of needing a fresh start, former Cubs pitcher Rich Hill was sent to the Orioles for a player to be named later. After posting a 3.92 ERA and winning 11 games in 2007, the southpaw fell apart last season, losing his command and eventually his spot in the Cubs’ rotation. The Orioles hope a reunion with pitching coach Rick Kranitz can reverse Hill’s control problems.
Other names to watch in the battle for the rotation include right-handers Matt Albers (returning from a shoulder injury), Brian Bass, Radhames Liz and lefties Chris Waters, and the reacquired John Parrish.
2. The Face of the Franchise
Severna Park native Mark Teixeira may have spurned the Orioles’ attempts to bring him home, but general manager Andy MacPhail showed the organization is willing to pay its own homegrown talent.
After failing to reach a long-term deal last offseason, the Orioles signed right fielder Nick Markakis to a six-year, $66M deal, officially branding the 25-year old as the face of the franchise.
Markakis is the type of player to build your team around, having all the tools needed to become a star. The super-reserved Markakis seemed more relaxed and comfortable at the press conference announcing the deal, possibly foreshadowing a willingness to take on a more vocal role with the club.
It will be interesting to see how Markakis performs after signing the second-richest contract in club history.
3. “Wieting” in the Wings
Catching prospect Matt Wieters will continue to be the talk of the Charm City until he arrives at Orioles Park at Camden Yards.
The organization figures to start the Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year at Triple-A Norfolk. MacPhail and Trembley will speak of Wieters needing more experience calling pitches before joining the big leagues, but it’s only window-dressing.
The Orioles will pull an “Evan Longoria” by starting Wieters in the minor leagues for the first weeks of the season. This would delay the start of his service time, impeding his eligibility for free agency until after the 2015 season. With the shrewd Scott Boras serving as his agent, the Orioles would be making a wise decision to hold onto Wieters as long as they can.
Of course, all bets might be off if Wieters hits .450 in spring training and forces the team’s hand. Sound unlikely? Maybe not.
Baseball Prospectus’ Kevin Goldstein wrote in January that Wieters is already the best player on the club and is “quite possibly the best catcher in the game.” Keep in mind, Wieters has never played above Double-A. Can you say hype?
4. Athletes in the Outfield
While Markakis has become the mainstay in right field, the Orioles have secured promising pieces in center and right.
Adam Jones had a solid debut in Baltimore despite missing time with a broken foot last season. The gifted centerfielder needs to improve his plate discipline with only 28 walks and 108 strikeouts in 477 at bats, but his hitting improved prior to the trip to the disabled list in early August.
Reports indicate the 23-year old added some muscle in the offseason, so his power numbers should improve in 2009.
Roaming left field will be newcomer Felix Pie, a former top prospect for the Cubs whom the Orioles attempted to acquire in the Brian Roberts’ trade talks a year ago. After struggling in 2008 in limited opportunities with Chicago, the Orioles were able to grab the 23-year old in a trade for pitcher Garrett Olson.
Pie received only 260 at bats with the Cubs in two seasons despite being ranked the top prospect in the organization at one time. He possesses four of the five tools, though some believe he can still develop more power, and is an intriguing low-risk, high-reward acquisition.
Could the addition of Pie give the Orioles the best young outfield in baseball? All three outfielders play great defense, and if Pie’s 2009 production can approach what Jones did last season, the Orioles could be looking at a dynamic trio in the outfield for many years to come.
5. A Closer Encounter
The return of hard-throwing Chris Ray from Tommy John surgery crowds the backend of the bullpen, always a good problem to have.
Ray was the team’s closer in 2006 and 2007 but will have to unseat All-Star stopper George Sherrill to regain his job.
Sherrill had a dominating first half in 2008 before struggling down the stretch with a sore shoulder, finishing with a 4.73 earned run average and 31 saves. He could be more valuable to the bullpen as a left-handed specialist, especially if veteran lefty Jamie Walker is unable to rebound from a rough 2008.
Look for Trembley to give Sherrill every opportunity to win the job, considering Trembley was not present during most of Ray’s tenure as closer.
Regardless of how the closer situation is resolved, the back of the bullpen looks to be a strength. Setting up Ray and Sherrill will be right-hander Jim Johnson who enjoyed much success in his first full season with the Orioles.
If the Orioles can somehow bridge the gap from the starting pitching to the seventh inning, these three have the ability to shorten games and give the club more opportunities to win.
Here’s an early shot in the dark of how the roster could look when the Orioles break camp and head north to Baltimore.
Lineup
2B Brian Roberts S
CF Adam Jones R
RF Nick Markakis L
1B Aubrey Huff L
3B Melvin Mora R
DH Luke Scott L
C Gregg Zaun S
LF Felix Pie L
SS Cesar Izturis S
Bench
IF/OF Ryan Freel R
IF/OF Ty Wigginton R
IF Chris Gomez R
C Guillermo Quiroz R
Rotation
Jeremy Guthrie R
Koji Uehara R
Rich Hill L
David Pauley R
Hayden Penn R
Bullpen
Matt Albers R
Mark Hendrickson L
Dennis Sarfate R
Jamie Walker L
Jim Johnson R
Chris Ray R
George Sherrill (closer) L
What will you be following as the Orioles prepare for the 2009 season in Ft. Lauderdale? Who will win a spot in the starting rotation? Leave your thoughts below.
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