The other three
As long as we're debating which players should finish in the top three in voting for Most Valuable Oriole, we also could compile a top three - or would that be bottom three? - for Least Valuable Oriole.
Catcher Ramon Hernandez has been a major disappointment for me, since I projected that he'd rebound to have a huge season.
Luis Hernandez also could make the list, since he flamed out as the Opening Day shortstop, but perhaps we were expecting too much of him based on a very brief audition last season.
Left-handers are batting .361 against situational lefty Jamie Walker. Steve Trachsel never provided the innings that were expected of him. Adam Loewen's left elbow gave out on him.
I'm open to suggestions.
During my tour of the farm, I left out one very important accomplishment last night. Tyler Kolodny's grand slam in the bottom of the ninth inning gave Aberdeen a 9-8 victory.
Kolodny was a 16th-round pick in the 2007 draft.
MVPs:
1) Jeremy Guthrie (incredibly reliable from day 1)
2) Nick Markakis (look at that OBP and defense)
3) Jim Johnson (what a great surprise) / Aubrey Huff (if he played a position hed be number 1) / Brian Roberts (walks + doubles + defense)
LVPs:
1) Ramon Hernandez (Lazy enough?)
2) Jamie Walker
3) Daniel Cabrera (what was with the 8 game tease?)
Roch
The 4 you named definitely sucked this year. I would keep my answer simple: "Pick any three guys who tried to play shortstop this year" for LVO.
Worst
1. SP Steve Trachsel
2. 1B Kevin Millar
3. RP Jamie Walker
Least Worst
Adam Loewen has been the most disappointing story. Talk about going from high to low... and none of it was under his control. It's always disappointing when a career ends so abruptly.
I didn't expect much from Trachsel or Luis Hernandez so I can't call them disappointments. Olson and Burres have been disappointing... I was hoping for more.
Roch, i think you have to go with Trachsel for the least valueable, he was supposed to at least give us some innings with an ERA around 5 but he was pitiful. I also was wondering what you think of Lance Cormier; he has been terrible lately and is about 30 years old with poor stats at every stop. Why not dump him and bring up Jim Miller or Kam Mickolio?
Referring to your last post, Jim Johnson has certainly been more valuable to the O's this year than Sherrill. Whether he should vault above Guthrie, Huff, and Markakis is another story, but he's easily been our second-best pitcher.
There's a difference between Least Valuable and most disappointing. Hernandez hasnt been THAT bad, for example. Least Valuable would be someone like Bukvich, but in the sense that you're looking for, Hernandez and Walker would be strong contenders. Walker's decline, though, wasn't unfathomable given his high workload last year. Jay Payton has managed to translate a .668 OPS into 233 ABs, but since that's his exact number from last year, we shouldn't be surprised.
Least valuable Orioles:
1. Freddie Bynum (awful after being handed the shortstop job).
2. Steve Trachsel (total bust).
3. Jamie Walker (hasn't done his job this year).
Ramon is not good defensively and has looked lazy going after off-target pitches, but he has contributed at the plate and cannot be considered anything close to the complete failures like Bynum and Trax and the near failure like Walker. He has as many RBI as Luke Scott in fewer at bats and is hitting above .250. It's hard to call him one of our three least valuable players.
Aubrey Huff has made the rare transition from MVP (most VILIFIED player) to MVP (most VALUABLE player).
Not that its a result of his own doing, but Adam Loewen was most disappointing to me. I still remembered how he pitched in the world baseball classic and was super hopeful for him to establish himself again this season. I envisioned him competing with Guthrie for the top two slots. Its a shame his elbow didnt want the same thing I wanted. However least valuable has to go Ramon... he should be hearing weiters footsteps coming and step his game up.
One player the orioles never get tired of is Daniel C, he keeps getting a free pass year in and year out with doing nothing but show up every 5th day and take the ball. You noticed i didn't say take the ball and pitch every 5th day. Here is a guy that the organization has all the expectations in the world for and has never even come close to meeting them , but he continues to escape any negativity by any one in this organization. The orioles have certainly instituted a gag order stating that there won't be any negative comments about players this year. He pitched 6 shutout innings the other day which by the oriole standards gives hima automatic roster spot in the starting rotation next year. it doesn't matter that in his previous 7 starts his ERA was 7.71 that he leads the league in walks, hit batters, and wild pitches. See roch when a league and a team is so pitching deprived a guy like daniel can and aways will stay off your list for the most disappointed player award.
Ummmmm... Adam Loewen!
OK, since you keep asking for a list I'll give it to you.
MVO
1. Huff-provided the cleanup hitter this team needed.
2. Roberts-great leadoff man, something every team needs.
3. Markakis-Mr Consistency, great right fielder
LVO
I hate bashing guys but.....
1. Trachsel-innings eater wasn't hungry.
2. R. Hernandez-for a guy that used to be an above average catcher he sure has regressed.
3. Walker-I like the guy but left handed specialists should be able to get out lefties.
I left L. Hernandez off because I never expected much from him to begin with.
That's it for lists for me for the year. So if you ask for best dressed or hottest Oriole find somebody else. Now Cheerleaders are a TOTALLY different story.
If you'd asked me before the All-Star break, my list would have been:
1. Ramon Hernandez
2. Ramon Hernandez
3. Ramon Hernandez
But since he's picked up the pace-- marginally-- I guess I'd amend my list to be:
1. Ramon Hernandez
2. Luis Hernandez
3. Steve Trachsel
Walker just barely misses the list. But the fact is, of the players who have stunk up the joint this season (injuries excluded), Ramon is the only one who actually has any talent. It's hard to stay mad at a Freddie Bynum or L. Hernandez when they really have no place in the big leagues to begin with.
Roch, here are my top three disappointments:
1. Hernandez-Maybe I too was expecting more based on last year. Castro has provided the defense that the team needed all year.
2. Trachsel-Started out OK, but then flamed out. They really needed a experienced inning eater.
3. Hernandez-Have never been a big fan, the sooner he goes the better. After yesterday it looks like some of his bad habits are rubbing off on Quiroz.
On another note, a number of posters have pushed for various players to be called up in September. One area of concern is the 40 man roster; Weiters, Miller, Berguson and Mickolio are not on it. While there is one spot open presently, if the end of the season were today it would be theee over. Lets not rush anyone up just to sit on the bench, there are only so many innings to be played in September. McCrory, Fahey, Fiorentino, Salazar, Torres and Moore are on the 40 man roster, all but Fiorentino have been up this year at some point so they have already chewed up an option year.
1. Ramon Hernandez - easy winner
2. Jamie Walker
3. Garrett Olson
Someone mentioned Bill Bavisi as the Most Valuable Oriole. Good Point!
Swipe the dirt, Kolodny!
As far as the most valuable/ least valuable game I'm going to keep it to guys currently on the 40 man.
Most Valuable
1. Aubrey Huff
2. Brian Roberts
3. George Sherrill
Least Valuable
1. Ramon Hernandez
2. Lance Cormier
3. Anyone playing the shortstop position in '08
I don't know how DCab can be one of the three least valuable Orioles. He's made 25 starts and lasted almost as many innings as Guthrie in the same number of starts. He has 8 wins and has the second best ERA of the team's starters (Sarfate and Waters haven't made enough starts to be a fair comparison). Sure he hasn't lived up to lofty expectations, but I for one don't think those expectations are appropriate (at least not anymore). He has teased us with flashes of brilliance, but I don't think he is a top of rotation guy. As a bottom of rotation guy, he's a guy you need, better than most 4 and 5 starters I would say. Just as one example, he's won more games than Wakefield and is statistically better across the board than Clay Buckholz has been this year.
Holy Crap! I go on vacation hating life because I thought Roch's blog was gone forever, and now I get back and I have an email from Roch himself! Today is the best day ever!
I had no idea you started another blog for MASN. Must be the blonde hair. My bad. Anyways, I've missed all the silly comments. I have a lot of catching up to do. Yikes.
Well to answer today's question:
LVP:
1. Ramon Hernandez (I really wish he would go away)
2. Freddie Bynum (Nice guy, but yikes)
3. Luis Hernandez (there are no words)
MVP:
1. Aubrey Huff (who would have thought are opening day boo-getter would end up being a potential MVP)
2. Jeremy Guthrie (We always have a chance to win with him)
3. George Sherrill (sure he blew a few saves, but he still rocks and makes the games more exciting. Plus he dominated at the All Star game)
ahh I'm so excited Roch is here. Now I can put off doing my job so I can read Roch's blog all day! YAY!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to MASNsports.com, Jennifer. Thrilled to have you. A big round of applause for Jennifer, everybody. Big round of applause! - Roch
LVP:
1) Anyone named "Hernandez"
2) Anyone who has played SS in '08
3) Anyone who was pegged to be a "middle reliever of the future"
Will the hell never cease?
MVP:
1) I'll admit, I wasn't a Huff fan back in March. Of any year. I can't argue with his production. I'll eat those words now.
2) Guthrie. Who saw this coming? We couldn't WAIT to get him out of Cleveland. (Sure I secretly coveted him coming to Baltimore...)
3) Anyone in the Orioles Magic video.
Loewen- going into season season he was supposed to show dramatic improvement and be a solid starter
Walker- has a high era and has been injured. The orioles should trade him as a salary dumper and not get much in return. This would also make room for a young middle reliever to be on the team. Ray and Baez are also coming back.
Bynum- 2nd season with o's and he looks worse than he did in his first.
Another note: He is not a candidate for the O's MVP poll that Roch made, but he has been a stable back up catcher that the Orioles have not had in years.
I would have to say Ramon Hernandez mainly for defensive reasons. I don't know how many times I've seen him try to backhand a ball in the dirt instead of getting in front of it.
For MVO:
Erik Bedard
& Miguel Tejada (for obvious reasons)
Mora would be my real pick
terrific defense and clutch hitting
Breaking News: Adam Dunn traded to D-BAcks
#1 Orioles SS - All of them. Its one position but it has been a guessing game all year.
#2 Burres SP - He started off well for a couple of starts. then everyone hit him.
#3 Trachsel SP - Signed to provide innings. And since he failed all of the young guys seem to have come up and done the same.
Whats with the hate on Cormier? sure he has been horrid since the break. but he was pretty much lights out the 1st half. I don't see Mora on anyones list? He was horrid the 1st half (12 guys left on in 1 game) and since he has been hot for 1 month he gets a pass.
Too many 'what have you done for me lately' votes.
Since your guesses are always so right (can you tell I'm brown nosing?), who are the 5 players you feel will be called up first?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hmmm, let me think about that. But I like Bob McCrory and Kam Mickolio, off the top of my head. And Hayden Penn if he's healthy (yeah, yeah, I know). Not sure about Nolan Reimold. The club's No. 1 goal all year was to just keep him healthy and get him through a full season. A third catcher usually comes up. No, not Matt Wieters! - Roch
Roch,
Kolodny's hr was a three run shot not a GS
MVP: Guthrie, Huff, Sherrill
LVP: Trachsel, Shortstop, Shortstop
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The report I got from Aberdeen said GS, wiping out a three-run deficit. - Roch
Yeah, Roch, your prediction that Ramon was bouncing back has not helped my fantasy team at all. So thanks for that.
XD23 - Difference is that while Melvin did leave 12 guys in one game...if you check his stats for the entire year he's pretty much been doing it in the clutch with runners in scoring position all season, plus he's played his usual average - above average defense. While that hasn't earned him any MVP points it keeps his tush off the hot seat.
Jennifer got an email?!? I had to find my way on my own. And who told Bob how to get here?
MVO
1. Guthrie
2. Huff
3. Tie between Roberts and Markakis
LVO
1. Anyone named Hernandez
2. Anyone playing shortstop
3. Anyone meeting both criteria
Honorable mention to Cintron who had a personal worst in the field yesterday. That big yellow thing in the sky is called the sun and it comes out every day. Deal with it.
Lowen gets a pass because it's not like he is a head case like Cabrera or fails to put in the effort like Ramone. It was a freak injury that the doctors apparently didn't fix right. I feel bad for him more than anything.
Jennifer - Welcome back! Know the feeling on finding Roch and this blog. It's like loosing your dog, he's been gone a couple of days, then you come home one night, and the dog is sitting on the front porch!!
Least Valuable O's:
1) Ramon Hernandez
2) Jamie Walker
3) D-Cab
Never really expected much out of the SS candidates this year or Trachsel in the rotation. The Lowen injury was a blow!!! Yeah, I wasn't sure how much he'd contribute this year, but I never figured he was done for. That one was a tough pill. But you can't put Adam in this category; his elbow never allowed him to compete this year.
Had a tough time deciding on whether to put D-Cab on this list. He is what he is, a very inconsistent pitcher who can eat some innings, flash some potential, but in general really is clueless as a pitcher. Just seems the mental make up is not there. So, until a couple of the young starters come up and show they belong, we will be stuck watching this guy tease on some nights, and imploding on others. The only reason the innings count for something right now, is that we are not only rebuilding our team, but the minors as well, and have limited depth.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This isn't the first time I've been called a dog. But for once, I'm flattered. - Roch
Guthrie, Mora, Markaksis, Huff are best.
Olsen, Cormier, L. Hernandez, poor Fred Bynum, Trachsel, in no particular order, for most disappinting.
MVP:
1. Guthrie
2. Roberts
3. Sherrill
LVP:
1. Hernandez
2. Trachsel
3. Jose Mercedes
Rookie of the Year:
1. Jones
2. Johnson
3. Greg Odom
Best Trade Bait, Off-season
1. Huff
2. Huff
3. Huff
P.S. Roch: Lately I've been writing for Dennis Peck at the Oregonian. He just slid over from Sports to Living. He went to school with PSchmuck. Apparently PS has ALWAYS been like that.
Dennis is an excellent editor. Usually editors are on my SL.
How often is Roch on the Anita Marks show?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It varies, but Tuesday and Thursday this week. Thanks for asking. - Roch
Roch
Any word on where or if Greg Miclat is going to be reporting? I heard rumor that he was heading to the GCL, but I haven't noticed his name in the boxscores. Is it a situation where they will just be holding him out until Fall or Winter leagues?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He's still working out in Florida. I'll let you know where he reports when it happens. - Roch
Anyone know how Hoey is doing? I know he was hurt but what is the status on him---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He was moved to the 60-day disabled list. We'll see him in spring training. - Roch
Jake Arrieta
3IP 4H 3ER W for the USA in an exhibition August 4th
Roch,
What do you think the Orioles will do this off season with trading, Wieters, and free agents?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That's a tough question. Wieters will be shut down for a while, since he's been playing since the Hawaiian Winter League. The club will look for a shortstop, wherever they can find one. They could look to move Ramon Hernandez if they decide that Wieters is ready. A first baseman, perhaps? Did someone say Teixeira? - Roch
Jennifer,
Welcome back.
You add equal parts
baseball knowledge
enthusiasm
and blondness
to the discussion.
If I ever had the chance to meet you at a game I would buy you a beer and then talk baseball until they rolled the tarp onto the field.
I don't see how anyone can consider Cabrera one of the three LVO this year. There is a lot of value in sucking up that many innings on a team like this, and at least there's always the possibility he'll turn in a gem. How many O's starters through recent years have been able to offer either? Too many people are holding Cabrera's unrealized potential against him rather than just accepting that this is all he is, and it's not the worst thing in the world as long as he does it for cheap.
LVO:
1. Jamie Walker - paid well to do one job, hasn't done it... after 2007, guess we're lucky his arm still works
2. Steve Trachsel - blech
3. Jay Payton - so... many... outs...
Roch these people that say that there is lot's of value to having daniel on the team to suck up innings must be on something. Seriously roch what price do you actually put on pitching 6 innings of shut out ball. Like i said dealing with daniel only take the view of what have you done for me lately, they think it's ok that in his previous 7 starts he pitched to a ERA of 7.71 Please tell me what is the facination over somebody that will never be any more valuable then a guy that stays healthy and eat's up innings,The same things keep coming up from fans, broadcasters,front office people,WHAT IF THE LITE EVER COMES ONHE IS ONLY 27 OLD> HE IS STILL LEARNING HOW TO PITCH. my god people the guy has over 150 starts in the major leagues,lost 18 games last year. leads the league in walks, hit baters and wild pitches every year, has had 3 different pitching coaches , So are you telling me that just being able to take the ball every 5th day means counter balances all the other negatives that he has. Excuse me, CAN"T FIELD HIS POSITION AT ALL
MVP
Trembley
LVP
Adam Lowen
BTW,
Really happy to Jennifer is back.