Skipper or the Crew?

Numerous media outlets are reporting that Baltimore Orioles manager Dave Trembley will be dismissed before the Orioles begin their next series against Boston on Friday night at Oriole Park. Baltimore’s record stands at an abysmal 15-39, their worst start since 1988 when they began the year with 21 consecutive losses. 21.5 games out of first place and losers of 10 of their last 11, the Birds seem to just go through the motions night after night.

It's very easy to point the finger at the skipper, but how much control does a manager really have over a team's play? Trembley has been criticized for his mismanagement of the bullpen, questionable line up decisions, and the inability to motivate or prepare his club. While these factors definitely contribute to a team's success, one has to question whether or not these things alone can be attributed to the Orioles' lackluster play.

Nothing Trembley has done this season is responsible for the Orioles' offense failing to provide any run support for a starting pitching staff that has, for the better part of the season, done its part. Baltimore ranks near the bottom of the league in nearly every offensive category, scoring a paltry 180 runs and sporting a team batting average of just .246. With injuries to key players like Brian Roberts, Felix Pie, and Mike Gonzales, and the apparent regression of young prospects Adam Jones, Nolan Reimold, and Brad Bergesen, Trembley’s hands have been tied all season.

Trembley needs to be held accountable for his team's play, but that doesn't necessarily put him at fault. Dave is a nice man and an Oriole at heart, but unfortunately when a business is failing to meet expectations, the manager is always the first to go.

Yikes

Talk about the wind being taken out of your sails. Week one of the 2010 Baltimore Orioles schedule is in the books, and needless to say, things haven't gone exactly as O's fans would have liked.

After losing 2 out of 3 against the Rays to open the season at the Trop in St. Petersburg, Florida, O's fans remained optimistic for the team's home opening series against a Blue Jays squad that is widely picked to finish last in the A.L. east. The O's home opener is always electric, but Friday's crowd seemed to have a different air about it. Hopes were still running high...enter Mike Gonzalez.

The newly acquired Orioles' closer was met by a spattering of boos as he jogged in from the bullpen with the Orioles holding a 1 run lead in the top of the 9th. Gonzo blew his first save opportunity against Tampa Bay on opening night, and nearly blew his second two days later, but Nick Markakis caught a hard hit ball to end the game and leave the bases loaded for the Rays.

Back to Friday...A walk, wild pitch, double, sac bunt, and sac fly later, Orioles fans saw Mike Gonzalez blow his second save of the season, and the Birds trailed 7-6. When Orioles lame duck manager Dave Trembley removed Gonzalez from the game, the crowd of 42,000 or so Orioles faithful let Gonzo have it. The light drizzle of boos that rained down on him upon his entry to the game turned into an epic storm of boos and obscenities that rivaled the warm welcome Mark Teixeira received on opening day 2009. I didn't see any "Severna Park Hates You" signs, but I'm sure Gonzalez got the message.

O's fans wondered if Trembley would use his new "closer" again on Saturday night if the opportunity presented itself. It didn't. Baltimore was shut out by the Blue Jays' Dana Eveland in front of a crowd of over 21,000. David Hernandez tossed a gem, allowing just 2 runs through six innings of work, but the O's anemic offense was unable to plate any runs against the Jays 5th starter. Beers are on me if Eveland is on your fantasy roster.

Having dropped 4 of their first 5 games, the Orioles desperately needed a win on Sunday. Baltimore turned to newly acquired ace Kevin Millwood to stop the bleeding, and Milwood didn't disappoint. Allowing only 1 run through 7 and 2 thirds, he gave the Orioles the chance they needed to come out of the series with at least 1 win. Unfortunately, the O's offense once again let the pitching staff down, scoring a paltry 2 runs; an offensive outburst that included them being unable to score following a lead-off triple.

With two outs in the eighth, Miguel Tejada committed his first error of the season at his new position on the hot corner, allowing the inning to continue, and keeping the Jays hopes alive. Baltimore's early season nemesis, Jose Bautista dug in with two out and one on. Millwood quickly got two strikes on Bautista, but then hung a breaking ball that landed somewhere on North avenue, and Baltimore was down 3-2. Not to be outdone, the next batter, Alex Gonzalez crushed a dinger of his own and gave Toronto a 4-2 lead.

After the O's offense went "wah, wah, waaaahhh" in the bottom of the eight, Cla Merideth decided to increase his ERA as well by serving up a solo shot to Edwin Encarnacion to push the Jays lead to 5-2. In the bottom of the ninth, after being inspired by that corny video that is played on the jumbo-tron to fire up the fans, Matt Weiters led off with a single and gave the birds some hope, but rally killer Ty Wigginton abruptly grounded into a 6-4-3 double play that dashed any chance of a comeback. Nolan Reimold pinch hit for Julio Lugo and struck out swinging. Game over.

6 games, 5 losses that included: 2 blown saves (Gonzo's ERA is sitting at an astronomical 18.00) a shut-out, Brian Roberts heading to the D.L with an abdominal strain, and probably the most disturbing stat of all; Baltimore his 9 for 54 with RISP. That, baseball fans equates to a robust .167 batting average in the clutch. Hardly juggernaut status.

Is it too early to call for Dave Trembley's head? I think so, but the club does seem very flat out there. If they continue to play with this apparent lack of enthusiasm, this year's campaign could get really ugly, really fast.

What's next for Baltimore? Another series with the Rays, a 7 game west coast road trip, their first "off day" followed up with seven games in eight days against Boston and New York to close out the first month of the season. We are going to know a lot about this club by the time May flowers get here. Maybe they'll be bringing some wins along with them...and the Colts.

"Something Magic Happens..."

Itching For Meaningful Baseball

With only two weeks remaining until the official start of the season, the orioles have had a few things to be excited about so far during spring training, and a few more to be concerned about.

Offensively, Nick Markakis looks like he has added some muscle, and is really swinging the bat thus far. Kakes is hitting .316 with 2 bombs. Luke Scott leads the team in RBI with 9, while hitting a respectable .286. Luke has the potential to be a huge threat in the orioles lineup, if he can manage to spread out his production a little bit. Last season the streaky DH led the Birds with 25 dingers; only problem with that? He hit all 25 of them in what seemed to be the span of a week. I'll take 25 homers any time, but it would be nice if Luke could come through a bit more consistently. Nolan Reimold seems to be coming along just fine after dealing with achilles issues.

Miguel Tejada has played a solid third base, but hasn't really gotten the stick going yet. Garrett Atkins, who the Birds were hoping would come in and add some pop to the corner infield spot opposite Tejada is hovering right on the Mendoza line with an average of .200.

On the mound, Brian Matusz has been nothing short of spectacular. While wins and losses are essentially meaningless stats for pitchers during camp, Matusz's 2.51 ERA , 18K's, and 1 walk in 14.1 innings make a line that top of the rotation guys strive for, and few achieve. Other than Matusz, the starting rotation has taken their lumps so far this spring.

Relievers Cla Meredith, Will Ohman, Kam Mickilio, and Mark Hendrickson have all pitched their way into the O's pen this year. David Hernandez and his life partner Jason Berken seem destined to start the year in AAA Norfolk, joining a rotation that includes prospects Jake Arrietta, Troy Patton and Brandon Erbe. Keep your eye on a young lefty named Zach Britton. Something tells me we will hear his name before some of the prospects listed above.

Kevin Millwood, brought in to anchor and mentor the O's young pitching staff, has lowered his ERA from around a gazillion to just a shade under 13. Millwood says he "stinks in spring training" and I am inclined to believe him. let's just hope that the veteran righty irons all of his kinks out before he takes the mound April 6th in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Last year, we could comfortably blame Jeremy Guthrie's absolutely horrendous campaign on the WBC, but what is the excuse this year? Guts has allowed 3 home runs, 7 walks and 12 runs in 10 and 2 thirds innings, ballooning his ERA to 9.28. If things progress this way, the Orioles' 2 innings eaters could both reach 200 hundred innings, while giving up 250 runs...each. Let's hope they straighten it out. I think that they will.

Chris Tillman hasn't given the Orioles any reason to question his spot in the rotation, and Brad Bergesen, fresh off of two injuries-the latest occurring when he tweaked his throwing shoulder while filming a commercial for the Orioles-hasn't been spectacular, but also hasn't pitched horribly either.

Koji Uehara, expected to be a major cog in the Orioles bullpen, hurt his hamstring yet again. Was signing a frail, aging Japanese closer to a multi-million dollar deal really worth it? Well, if the door to the Asian market of frail, aging Japanese relief pitchers was the goal, than I guess it was a success. Don't get me wrong, I believe Koji is a really good pitcher who could help the O's pen tremendously, but seriously dude...try lifting A weight. Newly acquired closer Mike Gonzalez has pitched a bit, but he too has been dealing with nagging injuries. The jury is still out on whether or not this guy can hold down the closer's role in the tough AL "beast."

The biggest worry? Brian Roberts. Baltimore's All-Star caliber second baseman has been dealing with a slight herniated disc in his back. B-Rob is the one player that the Orioles can ill afford to lose. Roberts is expected to make his spring debut later this week after returning from Baltimore and a visit to a back specialist at Johns Hopkins. Roberts apparently was given an epidural to help with his nagging back. I'm not sure how that helps his swing, but apparently the Birds' second baseman will be able to give birth completely pain free.

Adam Jones appears to be a bit larger this spring as well. Here's to Jonesy staying healthy all season long, and building on a 2009 that saw him make his first All-Star appearance, as well as winning his first gold glove. Matt Weiters is still the O's opening day starting catcher despite the fact that he too has gotten off to a slow start. Don't worry though, he is still considered "Mauer With Power."

Is this the season?

Hope Springs Eternal

As MLB's off season comes to a close, spring training is just around the corner. The free agent market has played itself out and the Orioles head to Sarasota, Florida with a roster that has many O's fans excited about 2010 and beyond. With that in mind, I have decided to switch formats and devote my attention to the Baltimore Orioles. Let's break it down.

The Birds acquired veteran SP Kevin Millwood from the Texas rangers in exchange for RP Chris Ray. Millwood should anchor a staff featuring young prospects Brian Matusz, Brad Bergesen, and Chris Tillman. A perennial innings eater, Millwood should be a solid mentor to the youngsters on the staff, and his arrival should help take some pressure off of Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie. Guthrie led the Orioles with 10 wins last season, but he also led the Majors in Hrs allowed with 35, and losses with 17. The O's look for Guthrie to regain his form of 2008 and 2009, when he posted an ERA below 4.00 in each season. They think him not having to face every team's #1 starter should help.

To help solidify the bullpen, Baltimore signed free agent closer Mike Gonzalez. Gonzalez is a hard thrower with 54 saved games during his career for Pittsburgh and Atlanta. His addition allows Jim Johnson to move back to the set-up role, where he has excelled for the majority of his career. Kam Mickilio, Koji Uehara, Mark Hendrickson, and a number of other pitchers will compete for roster spots in what is shaping up to be a much improved O's bullpen.

While prospects Brandon Snyder and Josh Bell are not expected to be ready for the show before mid-season, Baltimore signed Garret Atkins and former Oriole Miguel Tejada. Atkins, a career
.289 hitter struggled mightily at the plate in 2009. Baltimore hopes he can regain the form that made him an all-star in Colorado. Tejada, a former AL MVP brings veteran leadership and a lot of baggage back to the city that saw him have his career year in 2004. That season he hit .311 with 40 doubles, 34 Home Runs, and an amazing 150 RBI. Tejada's power numbers have fallen off significantly in recent years, but the perennial all-star still swings a good bat, and combined with Brian Roberts, Nick Markakis, and Adam Jones, the O's could lead the AL in doubles next year. Let's just hope Miggy makes the transition to third base as smoothly as possible.

As is the case every season, it all comes down to pitching. The Orioles have the offensive talent on paper to score 800 runs, and if guys like Reimold, Weiters, Jones, and Pie continue to improve, I believe that is a real possibility. But, if Millwood and Guthrie struggle, and the young arms regress, it could shape up to be another long season at the yard. The baby birds have hatched, now let's hope they learn how to fly.

It might be a little premature to think about contending for the division, but a .500 record is not beyond the realm of possibility. Here's to the O's finally bringing the magic back to Birdland. I'll drink to that.

Here is my revised 2010 Baltimore Orioles opening day lineup:

2b. Brian Roberts

3b Miguel Tejada

rf . Nick Markakis

dh. Luke Scott

cf. Adam Jones

lf. Nolan Reimold

c. Matt Weiters

1b. Garrett Atkins

ss. Cesar Izturis

Bench:
of. Pie, if. Andino/Turner, c. Moeller, if. Wigginton

Starting Rotation: Millwood, Guthrie, Bergesen, Matusz, Tillman

Bullpen: Gonzalez, Johnson, Mickilio, Uehara, Hendrickson, Hernandez, Albers/Berken/Sarfate/(Ohman?)

That's a pretty solid team. In any other division, it's a team that could compete for the championship. In the AL East however, they may need a little more seasoning, as well as an impact player or two next year. A .500 season is a more realistic goal. The good news? I am always wrong when it comes to predictions.

Lets Go O's!

It's been a long time...

As the NFL's regular season has come to a close, many questions have been answered. Here's a few that I would like to emphasize.

1. Can Brett Favre still do it? Yes. Never before has a 67 year old prima donna in a pair of skin tight Wranglers thrown for over 4 thousand yards.

2. Is Tom Brady the softest football player to ever put on pads? Yes. I haven't seen a pro football player whine and cry more than this sissy. If a defender so much as touches him, he immediately jumps up and points at an official. I think that the league ordered its other resident pretty boy Brady Quinn to take out Terrell Suggs for attempting to tackle Tammy Boy. Bad enough Brady got that phantom call, but the Ravens lost their best pass rusher for simply brushing past the NFL's ratings machine. Even his former teammate Rodney Harrison called Brady a "skirt."

On another note, why are other players chastised for having multiple "baby's mommas" while Tammy has 2 kids by 2 different women? You don't see Stetson threatening to pull his line of "cologne," do you? Who in the hell wears Stetson anyway? Cowboys and Beantown Brady ball sac jugglers, that's who.

3. Will Jay Cutler make the Bears Super Bowl contenders? Nope. 26 picks and 25 TD's sunk his season. The Bears have to get him some talent on the offensive side of the ball. Hester, Knox, Bennet, and Olsen are not Marshall, Royal, Stokely, and Scheffler. The Moral of this story: Be careful what you wish for.

Which brings me to our next query, and it's a two parter:

4a. Can Kyle Orton lead a team to the playoffs? Not a chance. I gave Orton credit for managing games and not making too many poor decisions, but when the Broncos' defense started to allow more than 10 points per game, Orton's true colors began to show. Orton didn't lose too many games for the Broncos, but one thing is for sure; he didn't win any either. When Denver truly needed him, his lack of mobility and arm strength led to his demise. Some might say that poor play calling hurt his chances as well...

4b. Is Josh McDaniels qualified to be a head coach in the National Football League? In my opinion, absolutely not. I was against his hiring in the first place, but 6 consecutive wins later I changed my tune. It's funny how winning heals all wounds. But, in hindsight, his first season as Denver's head coach was a debacle. Combine horrible play calling with the fact that he completely removed Eddie Royal and Tony Scheffler from the offense, benched his best player for what he called a "coaches decision" before the biggest game of the season, and that he had his team so incredibly unprepared to win games down the stretch that the Broncos, for a second consecutive season, made NFL history. Never before has an AFC team started the season with 6 consecutive wins and failed to make the playoffs. Hiring Josh McHoodie is the single worst decision Broncos owner Pat Bowlen has ever made. Okay, maybe except for getting rid of the south stands, a presence at old Mile High Stadium that once gave the Broncos the leagues best home field advantage. But that's a different story for a different article.

5. Who advances after week one of the playoffs? In the AFC, New England and Cincinnati. I don't think that the Ravens can overcome the Patriots in Foxboro as well as the NFL's quarterback protection agency. Nor do I see Mark Sanchez winning the lowest rated playoff game ever on the road, despite last weeks outcome. In the NFC, look for Tony Romo to choke against the Eagles. Why? Because that's what Tony Romo does. I see Green Bay beating Arizona as well because the football gods have to have a Favre vs. Green Bay playoff game. That could prove to be better television than the "Jersey Shore." Hopefully if North Korea or Iran ever have a missile that could reach the States, the first place they choose to bomb is not New York or Washington, but New Jersey. The fact that people like that even exist makes me embarrassed to be an American.

6. Will Mike Shannahan turn the Redskins into a contender once again? Absolutely. Especially after Dan Snyder offers Brandon Marshall a ridiculous contract that the Broncos won't even attempt to match. Picture it Skins fans... Campbell throwing to Marshall and Kelly on the outside, Moss in the slot with Cooley stretching the field. Add Shanny's zone blocking scheme to a healthy o-line, and you guys suddenly have a very potent offense. Pair that with an already formidable defense and the Skins compete for the NFC east crown next year. Stamp it!

Happy New Year!!!