http://masnsports.com/2009/03/eaton-speaks-1.html

This is Roch's blog showing more excuses from a big leaguer about poor performances in a spring training game.  The excuse is followed by him publically lobbying to the team to keep him. 

George Sherrill has talked somewhat like this too, and everyone keeps going "yeah, he is bad at spring training."  Quite frankly, I am tired of hearing players talk about how they don't care about spring training and that their bad performances can be excused because of things like "I don't get paid" (Eaton) or "I never do good in spring training" (Eaton and Sherrill).

Plus, what is up with Eaton going to the media lobbying for a spot on the team?  I had respect for him as a veteran though I did not want him on my team.  Now, I have no respect for him and I really don't want him on my team.

2010 Free Agents:
Aubrey Huff
Melvin Mora (club option that I can't see being picked up)
Danys Baez
Jamie Walker
Ryan Freel
Mark Hendrickson
Gregg Zaun (mutual option, but Wieters...)
Adam Eaton
Chad Moeller

Arbitration Eligibile:
Luke Scott
Chris Ray (I believe)
Jeremy Guthrie
Dennis Sarfarte (I believe)

2010 Line-Up w/o Free Agents:
C- Matt Wieters (I only put him here since we all know he WILL be here)
1B-
2B- Brian Roberts
SS- Cesar Izturis
3B-
LF- Felix Pie
CF- Adam Jones
RF- Nick Markakis
DH- Luke Scott

BN- Ty Wigginton
OF-
IF-
C-

2010 Rotation:
Jeremy Guthrie
Koji Uehara
---
---
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2010 Bullpen:
CL- Chris Ray
SU- George Sherrill
SU- Jim Johnson
MR- Dennis Sarfarte
MR- Matt Albers
MR-
MR-

After compiling this data, what does it tell us? First, it means we have some holes to fill, and we can do it in-house or through free agency. I would like to take a series of posts to talk about the in-house candidates that would fill these holes if no one is traded for or if no one is signed via free agency. I will list them and talk about why they are my choice for in-house candidates in the next couple of blog posts.

This blog post is dedicated to the people listed at the top. I was going to break up why these people will get re-signed, traded or released, but I decided to group them all together. I will start with the ones who could return, and I believe will be returning to 2010.

Re-Signed:
Jeremy Guthrie - He will put up another season of quality numbers as our ace. Do not judge him by his WBC stats or his spring training numbers. He has not lost anything, and he is just getting the kinks worked out. He'll be fine for the Yanks opening day.

Dennis Sarfarte - They will come to some sort of agreement for a 1 year contract. Dennis has to have a solid season as a reliever and prove himself as a late game option or a solid middle option. His multi-year deal will come 1-2 years from now after he proves himself reliable.

Chris Ray - Do I really need to say why? After he puts up great numbers this year, they should nail down a long term deal to nail down our closer for the next 3-5 years buying out his arbitration years.

Arbitration Eligible Who Will Be Traded:
Luke Scott - Low average, decent power, and inability to hit lefties means he has to be platooned no matter where he plays. Too many players are in our system that would do better in his position than he would (Nolan Reimold, Lou Montanez, Scott Moore). The Orioles have the in-house options right now to replace him with people who can play the field a lot better. I anticipate him being traded at the deadline this year if he is putting up good numbers or shopped after the season.

Free Agents to Be and Why They Will Not Be Back With the Team:
Aubrey Huff - He won't be back because he will be traded at the deadline. Huff represents a hot commodity that will be traded, a la Mark Teixeira, at the July trade deadline. As long as Huff is putting up last year's numbers, he will bring back a nice little package. It won't be Tex worthy, but it will help bring some more prospects in. Orioles will not bring him back because they won't want him for multiple years.

Melvin Mora - This team has been trying to get rid of him for a year or two, but his no trade clause has been binding. There will be a need at the deadline, and he will have to decide if he wants to get a ring or if he wants to retire. The Orioles will not bring him back at the end of the year if he is still here. He does not fit in with the plans.

Everyone Else - All of these guys are place holders. Ryan Freel may get a look next year as a super utility, but there are several players who will need the spot over him (Justin Turner, Reimold, Montanez, Moore, Brandon Snyder). If we get anything for these guys at the deadline, then we have succeeded by leaps and bounds. My guess is some of these guys are cut before we make it to July.

http://masnsports.com/2009/03/surprising-roster-move.html

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/schmuck/2009/03/orioles_bergesen_cut.html

Roch and Schmuck both express how much they are surprised by this move.  You can count me in for this as well. 

I know that he had options, but Brad was the only pitcher down there earning his spot in our rotation.  Guthrie pitched like crap in the WBC, but we know what he can do.  Uehara is being given a spot despite not really pitching this spring.  Hill is in a similar spot.

Then we have the out of option boys of Penn and Pauley.  Pauley has been downright awful, but Penn has been decent at times this spring.  They have the Baez experiment still going, and I can't blame them for trying it, but he has only had one, maybe two good outtings this spring among a mountain of bad ones.  The Eaton signing is ridiculous, and I was pissed when I heard about it.  Hendrickson is stuck on this team as well.

So, according to Schmuck, the veterans will be used to fill out the rotation (most likely).  Based on that information, we should be looking for Baez and Eaton to fill out our rotation.

Guthrie, Uehara, Hill, Eaton, Baez.

If this is our rotation to start the year, I may have to tune out the Orioles until someone comes to their senses.

Forbes Ranks Orioles Fans 9th for Most Loyal Fans

That's right O's fans, we made the top 10.  All our hard work of keeping a steady fan base while the casual fan hides in shame has finally paid off.  While I don't really care about the methodology of how they came about the number, I was just surprised we were not much lower considering the immense drop in attendance over the past 10 years.  They explain how they do it, but you can figure that out for yourself.

Roch is posing this question, but I think it will get more quality responses here at Camden Chat.  I will put my 2 cents worth on it and see how everyone else puts their rotation out there.

My Rotation:

• Jeremy Guthrie - He is our ace and he is pitching like it.  Guts may be the only lock for the rotation for 2009 if you base it on performance alone.  Prediction: 15-6, 3.50 ERA, 150K
• Daniel Cabrera - There is speculation he could be traded, but the O's front office likes his potential (there's that word again) to get rid of him.  While I don't believe he is a #2 by any means, he does eat innings and is potentially dominant.  He is our old veteran.  Prediction: 10-10, 4.35 ERA, 120K
• Garrett Olson - AAA is too easy for him and the majors are a challenge.  He pitched a gem in his last outting, but he needs to work on his consistency (of course, they all do).  As a lefty, he really needs to step up and take over this role because we need it.  Prediction: 13-8, 3.95 ERA, 145K
• Hayden Penn - I would normally put him as the number 5 starter, but I don't like lefties pitching back to back.  He will be up with the major league ball club as soon as they figure out that Sarfate can't make the transition to starter.  While he has struggled some in AAA, it is time for him to come to the majors and start learning in the big leagues.  Liz may be a candidate, but he needs more time in the minors and the Orioles need to realize he may be better suited for the bullpen.  Prediction: 8-12, 4.75 ERA, 145K
• Chris Waters - Knee-jerk reaction to a gem!  No, not really.  Hear me out before you write your bash.  I checked some of his box scores to see what kind of pitch count he had at the 6th inning when he was being taken out of his AAA games, and it generally was no more than 90 pitches.  He has the ability to eat innings, and he is left handed.  Brian Burres is not a starter, and, barring Chris throwing softballs in there for the hitters to mash in his next few starts, I see him getting this opportunity.  I have been following him since the beginning of the year in AA ball and have been waiting to see what he can do.  Take a look at his last month or so in AAA to see what he does before dismissing him on his overalls.  Prediction: 9-11, 4.50 ERA, 130K

Here are the other candidates and why I feel they are not going to be in the rotation or what role they may be filling in 2009:

• Rhadames Liz - It is very apparent that he needs more time at AAA before he comes up to the bigs again.  A firm handle on 3 pitches with consistency is required, and he might want to do this sooner rather than later or he will be jumped over by the other men in our system.  I think he has the stuff to a quality reliever, but it would take, again, consistency.
• Brian Burres - He's a swingman, and he always will be.  I give it up to him because every year he pitches better than anyone expects, at least for an extended period of time.  He does not belong in the rotation for any more than a spot start, ever.
• Matt Albers & Troy Patton - They have the exact same reasoning though I believe they will end up in different places.  Torn labrum recovery.  Patton will be in AAA working on his stuff while Albers will probably still be recovering.  If he returns to the bigs, it would be as a reliever.  There are too many guys with too much talent getting close to the bigs to be messing with Albers in the rotation again.  Let him fight for a spot in 2010 if his arm is fully healthy and he has some more games underneath of him.
• Jim Johnson - A lot of people are clammoring to put JJ in the rotation.  My question is why?  He has accelled in his role as setup man, and he is a candidate for the closer's role next season.  Even if Chris Ray returns strong and healthy next year, JJ should challenge him for the closer's spot.  George Sherrill should be put in the setup role next year.  Chris Ray, JJ, Flat Brim at the back end of the bullpen.  I like that.  A lot.
• Brad Bergeson - I followed the kid in A ball.  I am following him in AA ball.  I will follow him next year in AAA ball.  He has to prove this year is the real deal and is young enough that he can prove himself at Norfolk next year. 
• Chris Tillman - Not next year, but I would look for him in 2010.  At 20 years old, he should see AAA before he sees the majors.  The last thing we need is another Hayden Penn type of situtation.
• Jason Berken - I would put him in the same class as Brad Bergeson.  His success seems to be a learning curve and he is 25 in November.  He, along with Brad and others, will be a constant reminder to Daniel Cabrera that we don't necessarily need his services much longer if he doesn't figure things out.
• David Hernandez - I look at him like I do Rhadames Liz.  A future reliever.  I could be wrong as this guy can rack up K's.  I am salivating to see how the AAA rotation is going to perform.  I realize it is mainly just the AA ball rotation with another A in it, but it is refreshing to know this many guys are doing well.
• Jake Arrietta/Brian Matusz/Tim Bascom/Any Other 2007/2008 Draft Pick as a Pitcher - No.  Plain and simply just no.  If you think they are ready or will be ready please see your neurologist as soon as possible as you have probably suffered a heavy blow to the head.

Going over this list makes me that much happier to be an Orioles fan.  The young guys are progressing, and we are starting to put together a nice young group of pitchers.  I figure this is a good place to start to debating 2009.  Let me know what you think (and I am prepared to get trounced for including Waters).

I'm sure everyone has seen the Prince video, by now, of him shoving Manny Parra during a game.  If you have the time, check out this article.  It is nothing too special.  A sports writer posing the question of whether or not something was more than the manager was playing it out to be.  What you should focus on is the comments at the bottom when the people react to this team disply.

"Prince should be fined and suspended for 5 games. You don't just attack a teammate, especially a young starting pitcher who is just frusterated because he lost 5 of his last 6 games (well the team didn't he had 3 no decisions in that timeframe)"

 

"I think Prince needs to be traded to the California Penal League.

Any respect I had for him left with two pudgy paws to parra's face."

 

"I do think that Fielder should stay on the bench for a game or two.  That's it.  You just have to send the message that it's not ok to hit a teammate.  At the worst, if Fielder is still angry, send him back to Milwaukee for two days and he can rejoin the team on Thursday."

While not all the Milwaukee fans overreacted like these coupe, there were plenty of people jumping on board with similar reactions.  Did any question Parra wanting to skip out on the rest of the game?  Nah.

I am just shocked at the fans of this team.  Anyone who knows anything about this team knows that Prince has to be in the line-up for it to work.  He is David Ortiz and Ryan Braun is Manny Ramirez (if you would allow me to make that analogy).  I would bet Braun's numbers are down if Fielder is not batting behind him or in front of him, and with less than 2 months to make up ground and get in the playoffs the fans would rather set down their clean-up hitter for disciplining (albiet public and inappropriate manner) a pouty rookie pitcher? 

This type of response is what is wrong with today's society.  These are the same people that believe everyone deserves a trophy for trying and that everybody should get equal playing time.  These are the types of fans that don't deserve a pennant race and a playoff team.  Most likely, before last season, they had never heard of Prince Fielder.  In fact, some probably hadn't even paid attention to baseball until they realized they had a decent team.  It just sickens me to think that they'd rather see discipline for this small scuffle than see their team succeed. 

This PC society can kiss my ass.

It's all I want as a fan; the little things to be executed and done right.  I'm an admitted optimist for my O's, but I am not ignorant to our many shortcomings either.  Going into the season, the offense was a huge question mark for production, and it came out on fire with many come from behind wins and solid production up and down the line-up.  Unfortunately, the first 2 weeks ended and the real Orioles started to show.  Markakis and Roberts faltered, Millar caved under the pressure, Razor proved he has only gotten worse, and our many shortstops proved their inability to have any kind of offense.

This does not anger me.

Lack of production for solid pitching outtings by our guys is nothing to be mad about.  We should be happy that our staff is finally giving our team a chance to compete unlike past years.  Of course, the offense hasn't stepped up recently to win any of these games.  The reason for this is simple execution.

Getting picked off.  Caught stealing.  Doubled up.  GIDP's.  Not moving the runners to scoring position.  Not driving runners in with less than outs in scoring position.  Turning double plays.  Fielding routine grounders.  Covering bases. 

There is more but that is a lot already.  These things are not big things, but they have become common to our team.  Yes, we are young team, but when the veterans are the ones who are doing the majority of the mistakes you have to question whether they are helping or hurting the team.  Ramon Hernandez tries a pick-off at first with 2 outs and throws it into right field.  Melvin Mora can't field a routine grounder.  Luis Hernandez hangs Brian Roberts out to dry on a routine double play.  We keep losing games because of this bush league play.

Our pitching has been good.  Our bullpen has been solid.  Our offense is terrible, but it is not for lack of opportunities.  A runner on 3rd with 1 out is a simple ground ball from scoring.  Give yourself up to score that run because we need any run we can get as a team.  Instead, we get a veteran swinging for the fence to be a hero and popping the ball up, or we get someone who decides to swing at the first pitch and pop out in foul territory.

As a player and a pitcher, I have been on the end of zero support, and it killed me everytime an opportunity was squandered.  My pitching coach in college was a former Oriole by the name of Dan Morogiello.  He played for the 1983 Orioles in his only major league season while playing 10 seasons professionally.  He told us a story about how in the minors, after receiving zero support for a few games from his hitters, he took all the bats, poured lighter fluid on them, and lit them on fire after the game.  He said he was fined big time for it, but the team responded in his next start by giving him a huge lead in the first inning.  I know it is purely lore, but will it take St. Guts lighting the team bats on fire to spark some sense into these hitters to be team players and execute the fundamentals?

That old school passion is needed on this team.