Tick, tick, tick
I made the mistake of checking the Orioles' schedule on the back of the media guide a few minutes ago. Not to see where they were playing tonight or to find out the starting time, but to verify today's date.
I didn't have a calendar handy. And really, does anyone hang a calendar anymore?
I think the last one I saw was at my grandmother's house.
Anyway, I wanted to make sure that it really was Aug. 12. Unfortunately, my instincts were correct. Three more days to sign first-round draft pick Brian Matusz or lose his rights.
Sort of a long way to go to make my point, but there it is.
I was told last night that negotiations were "hectic," which left me with two thoughts: At least they're negotiating, which is better than the sounds of silence, and "hectic" means that efforts have increased to get a deal done and there's a sense of urgency that isn't misplaced.
I still believe, and quite firmly, that Matusz will sign. I expected it to happen much sooner, but looking back, that was probably a foolish notion. Joe Jordan, the Orioles' director of scouting, keeps reminding me that only two of the top 10 picks have signed. Another domino needs to fall. Then they'll all tumble down.
My guess is the Orioles will be introducing Matusz to the Camden Yards crowd on Aug. 18, which is the next home game. It says so right here, on the back of my Orioles' media guide.
Down on the farm, Single-A Frederick second baseman Miguel Abreu went 2-for-4 in a 6-1 loss to Potomac, which happens to be an affiliate of the Washington Nationals (no rivalry there, either). Abreu has 22 hits in his last 11 games.
Aberdeen's Eric Perlozzo also went 2-for-4, with an RBI, to raise his average to .303. He usually bats ninth, but moved up to second in the order.
varify...should be verify.
Thought you could catch this before you get the proofreaders upset!
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Thanks! Nice catch. How's your hitting? - Roch
Double left click on the time in the bottom right of your computer screen for a calendar...
"hectic" sounds a bit disorganized but better than "stalled".
Again, what did Jordan have to gain by saying that it would get done without a hitch even if that were the case (which it was not)?
Roch, you many want to check out this link http://www.orioleshangout.com/ttakeArticle.asp?ID=1703&page=ttake
over at orioleshangout, A couple of encouraging comments from Matusz himself!
Matusz wil sign. He doesn't want to wait another year to play professional ball. Roch is right about the domino effect. It's a mob mentality. Once 1 or 2 more sign, the rest will be right behind them.
Sarfate is clearly never going to be a good starter. You can close the book and forget about a sequel. Maybe we can get Hayden Penn a giant bubble to live in when he's not pitching. Maybe then he can stay healthy enough to pitch for us.
Roch - Why did they bring up Lou to ride the pine? Bowie has playoff aspirations and Lou had a shot at the triple crown. If all DT wanted was a guy to sit on the bench, Tike Redmond or Chris Roberson would have been a better choices.
Well, I'm sorry to say I missed the O's game last night. I was watching the Olympics. Lame I know, but I just get distracted by odd things. For example, synchronized diving... I don't understand how they do it. It was creepy. Actually I was only watching because I had no clue when Phelps was swimming. But I saw it and he basically crapped on everyone's face. I flipped to the O's for a second and saw we were being killed so I turned back to watch beach volleyball. US killed Cuba in that.
So anyways, the Sarfate experiment was over before it began. Stupid idea. Bring up a young birdie and give him a shot. Remember we are rebuilding and way out of the race. So we should give our little birds a chance to play and just root for the Rays, because I would rather see the Rays in the playoffs instead of BoSux and Spanx.
Somewhat off topic, but I thought this quote from Jamie Walker was interesting:
"Our starters have to go deep. You only get four innings every night, it just hurts the bullpen. The guys are scoring seven or eight and you have to win when you score seven or eight runs."
Walker is an idiot. No wonder he cleared waivers.
All right, now I’m all for ending the Sarfate experiment. Obviously, it’s not working if innings and a decent start are the goals. Of course, the problem is, who do you replace him with, and what do you expect out of the replacement? The answer might be, anybody and anything, but that’s seems to be how we got into this situation. I’m not sure if it’s completely obvious yet that the pitching is in a desperate state. It is, and I’m worried about the sort of season-ending free fall we’ve become familiar with here.
As for any notion of getting Halladay by trade, it’s not happening. For one thing, I can’t see the Blue Jays, who hover near the middle of the division usually, giving up one of the game’s best pitchers to another team in their division. That could haunt them for years, and it may not be necessary for a team that is arguably a step or two ahead of the O’s in terms of contending. Then, you have the O’s, who have just started rebuilding for real. I don’t see MacPhail ending that right now for a short-term fix.
Also, consider that if Halladay became available, he becomes like Johan Santana last year—the most highly sought player (probably more so). At $13 million per season through 2010, he’s currently very affordable for many teams, and much like the O’s with Bedard and even Roberts and Sherrill this season, the Blue Jays would have no urgency to deal him and can just wait for the offers to increase. Are the O’s willing to compete in such a market? If I were Toronto, I’d be asking for a Bedard type package—I’d start by asking for Wieters and the best young pitchers the O’s have (and I’d laugh if guys like Olson and Liz were offered, and I’d just hang up if Daniel Cabrera is mentioned). If the O’s weren’t willing to give up their best prospect for one of the game’s best pitchers, I’d see if another team was before I called back.
When you see the O’s struggling with patching together bodies to form a rotation and heading toward yet another losing season, it’s tempting to want to fix it now. But there are no quick fixes. This is going to take awhile, and, as hard as it could be to stomach, it could get worse before it gets better.
I want to see Jim Johnson develop into a 2-inning setup man if need be for games like last night. That was a game that we could have won, and had another huge comeback to build on. But we blew it as soon as we got it back.
I know that 2-inning setup is unconventional. But screw conventional... i think that desperate times call for desperate measures and actually holding on to a lead is worth it.
Am i wrong?
Don't feel bad Jennifer - I ditched the O's somwhere around the time that we allowed a runner to get back to 3rd after he'd been caught dead-to-rights on his way home in order to focus on the Olympics. Phelps is unbelievably fun to watch! So was the US Men's gymnastics team...though I fell asleep after their wicked high bar routines.
As far as Matusz, I'm afraid that all of these crazy signing bonuses given out over the past 5+ years has created an environment where, going forward, it will be hard pressed to get most of the top picks signed well in advance of the deadline. For the draftees there is just too much to potentially be lost by agreeing to terms too early. I LOVE baseball the game...and I HATE baseball the business. :o(
I know Matusz will sign. They cannot afford to let that guy go for tons of reasons.
I agree about Sarfate. That experiment is done. If the guy is not confident enough to be able to throw the ball from a wind-up, he should not even be given the chance to be a starter. That was just funny to see him throwing from the stretch. I know that he said he feels he's a better starter than a reliever, but I beg to differ. He's much better in the pen. He doesn't look confident in the rotation.
If I had control right now... Jay Payton, Ramon Hernandez, Kevin Millar and George Sherrill would all be passed through waivers to see what could be had. I'd either release or dump Jamie Walker and Alex Cintron. I'd currently go with the following:
Lineup:
1. Roberts - 2B
2. Markakis - RF
3. Mora - 3B
4. Huff - 1B
5. Scott - DH
6. Wieters - C
7. Montanez - LF
8. Redman - CF
9. Castro - SS
Bench: Reimold, Salazar, Fahey, Quiroz
Rotation:
1. Guthrie
2. Cabrera
3. Olson
4. Penn
5. Waters
Bullpen: Sarfate, Bierd, Castillo, F. Cabrera, Cherry, Mickolio, Johnson
You would ask for a Bedard type package CRB? You do realise that the Bedard deal was a factor in Bavasi getting fired right? When the trade happened most folks thought Baltimore got the best of it, and that was assuming that Bedard would pitch well. No team is going to give up that type of package within the next couple of years. A Santana level package would be about the max anyone is going to get in the near future.
I also find it amusing that you can not name any of the O's top pitching prospects. As for Wieters I would say about the same thing the Reds said to AM when he mentioned Jay Bruce last offseason. Wieters alone has more value then Halladay.
Roch,
If the o's were in need of a shortstop why did they pick Matsuz rather than Gordon Beckham?
Has Matsuz been working out while the wait continues?
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Matusz is working out in San Diego. And the Orioles couldn't resist a guy they considered to be the best pitcher in the draft. - Roch
Better than the dyn-o-mite Hernandez-Mora rundown team. But not as good as Phelps.