Minor tidbits
The School of Roch opened exactly two weeks ago, and it's churned out 114 entries and received 1,501 comments (G.Triandos should win some sort of prize for being No. 1,500. Rich soon followed to put us at our current total).
Thanks to all.
Radhames Liz starts tonight for Triple-A Norfolk. Perhaps the Tides will be kind enough to score some runs for him. He'd probably settle for one. They've been shut out during his last two starts.
Brian Burres starts tomorrow after making three relief appearances for the Tides and throwing five scoreless innings - though he's allowed six hits. He's struck out six and hasn't walked a batter.
Since being promoted to Norfolk on July 7, Kam Mickolio has allowed one earned run and seven hits in 17 1/3 innings.
Chris Roberson leads the International League with 20 outfield assists.
Eider Torres is 5-for-6 with nine RBIs with the bases loaded this season.
They're having a power outage in Norfolk. The Tides have hit three home runs this month, none since Mike Costanzo connected against Toledo on Aug. 10.
Aberdeen's Eric Perlozzo is batting .333 this month. His last 16 hits have been singles, dating back to July 26.
The last three Aberdeen starters - Rick Zagone, Pat Egan and Cole McCurry - have combined to allow one run and nine hits in 18 innings.
The IronBirds are 1-8 on Fridays, which isn't as bad as the Orioles' record on Sundays, but still worth mentioning.
ROCH- Can you help me out on the Matusz deal? It is through 2012 right? But... He still can not enter unrestricted free agency until after his 6th pro season correct?
I am trying to remember how the Loewen deal went. I know he had to be on the big league club by 2006 but. I guess I am just confused as to how long the O's control player rights on a Major league deal. It is still 6 pro seasons it just assures the player that he will not be overlooked come promotion times?
Ryan
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Matusz's deal, I've been told, runs through 2013. Starts in 2009. And you're correct about the six seasons before entering free agency. - Roch
Why can't they even learn from the fans?
We've been clamoring for Bergesen or any other pitcher not named Waters, Cabrera, Olson, Burres, and Sarfate!
Come on, let's see a change. This has gone enough for too long.
In reference to another reader's comments about Mussina and where his loyalty would lie IF he were elected into the Hall, I wouldn't put it past Mussina to pledge allegiance to the Yanks. His days in pinstripes have been quite disappointing, to say the least, as he's not achieved what those in New York expected him to when he came over (not only no Cy, but no 20 win seasons with some of the all-time great offenses backing him and the greatest closer ever pitching after him in most tight games). So while his prime was arguably spent in Baltimore, he seems to have been treated well in New York and to have enjoyed his experience there. Hate to say it, but I fear his loyalty will probably lie with the Yanks.
Just wondering but why wouldn't Dave Trembley pinch hit for Quiroz and/or Castro in the 9th. I understand not pinch hitting for Castro cuz he's been swinging a hot bat but I really don't understand Quiroz. Ramon was on the bench. One big swing and it's a 1 run game. If the Orioles hadn't gotten screwed in the 8th it would have been even more important. Idk, i just dont understand that.
Jonathan Tucker at Bowie was 18 for 36 in his past nine games leading up to tonight's game. Amazingly, he's had two or more hits in eight of those nine games. It doesn't look like he's a top prospect... maybe he has a shot at a utility role in the Majors one day. He's a little guy at 5'7" with a bit of speed... don't know about his glove.
Cleveland started Anthony Reyes against the Orioles last week. He was a blue chipper in St. Louis but he fell out of favour there and the Indians picked up recently in a trade. That's exactly the kind of guy the Orioles could have used. It's a similar story to Guthrie really. Too bad MacPhail wasn't able to pick him up. I wonder if he even knew Reyes was available.
Can we agree we've seen enough of Sarfate in the rotation? I'd rather see Brian Burres back up here. This isn't a long-term solution, so why are we bothering? If you don't want to cut Cormier, then put HIM in the rotation and stick Sarfate back in the 'pen.
Here's a question: while it's popular to trash Mora's no trade clause as a poor front office move, wouldn't he have an effective no trade clause next year anyway as a "10 and 5" player (10 years in the majors, the last 5 with the same club)? If that's true (it might not be - he played sparingly in 1999), the formal no trade clause would have only really tied our hands this year since he signed a 3-year deal and it'd be unusual to trade someone in the first year of a contract. I don't mean to say I defend the logic of giving him the clause, but it might have been an easy concession given logistics.
Roch,
They are playing the ravens on masn2 where can i find the o's game?
Wow... Roberson as a 4th outfielder candidate next year?
Baseball America has Chris Tillman as this week’s best effort by a prospect.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2008/266701.html
Tillman has a lot of potential but he has averaged less than five innings a start this year. To become a legitimate ML starting prospect he will need to increase that average to the same numbers that Bergesen has this year: about 6 ½ per start. Hopefully, he will do just that next year. To the kid’s credit, he recognizes where he needs to improve. I can’t find the link but MASN had a video interview with him a few days ago in which he stated he needed to lower his pitch counts.
BA also features Weiters at #4 and mention Hernandez.
Roch,
If you build something worth coming to………..they will come.
Thanks for working overtime these past few days. We appreciate your efforts.
Roch, Have you heard if Kev Brady signed? I played ball with him in hs (im 2 yrs older than him) and am wondering if he signed or took the offer at clemson. Hes a good kid and works extremely hard. His work ethic alone tells me the orioles should invest. I know the sox wanted him in the 3rd round but he declined. Anyways, any news on that front?
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I filed an entry yesterday morning about how the Orioles failed to sign him. Brady has elected to go to Clemson. Too bad. I hear good things about him. Assuming he stays healthy, he'll go much higher than 44th when his turn comes up again. - Roch
Two weeks old already! I'll have a drink to celebrate.
How about the local little league team? Maryland won today, 3-2... despite being no hit. You know things are going your way when you can scratch out a win without getting a hit.
Roch, If the Orioles were to trade Aubrey Huff in the offseason, is that a pretty good indication that they would make a real run at Mark Teixeria?
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They could make a real run at him without trading Huff. And they will. It's just uncertain how high they'll go. And they'll have to go REAL high with the Yankees and Mets going hard after him. - Roch