A few pre-game notes
Daniel Cabrera hasn't left the team after all.
Cabrera was spotted in the clubhouse today. Apparently, he's getting a second opinion on his right elbow, though the Orioles don't know when or where it will take place. The details are still being worked out.
Melvin Mora has told head athletic trainer Richie Bancells that his hamstring injury is worse. Asked if Mora will play again this season, manager Dave Trembley said it's "questionable."
Jeremy Guthrie will throw a three-inning simulated game tomorrow. If his shoulder feels fine - and right now he's saying it's 100 percent - he'll probably start Saturday or Sunday. Guthrie said Sunday would be the "logical day," since it would give him more time to recover.
Trembley said he believes Adam Jones eventually will be a No. 5 or 6 hitter in the majors, though not necessarily by next season. The expectation is for Jones to get stronger and become more of a run producer and scorer.
Perhaps one day soon, and there isn' t much time left, I'll get used to checking the magnetic board outside the clubhouse and seeing the starting pitchers listed as Garrett Olson, Chris Waters, Alfredo Simon, Brian Bass and Radhames Liz.
To me Adam Jones seems more suited as a leadoff hitter than a 5 or 6 guy. I was surprised to see him batting 3rd last night and Nick 2nd. Trembly himself has said Nick should be a number 3 guy, so why play Jones 3 or 5 or 6? With Roberts on the team I see Jones as a number 2 guy, if Roberts goes, I think Jones could bat number 1.
Well, I think Jones strikes out too much to be a leadoff hitter. He's gotten better over the season, but will hopefully develop into more of a masher.
What is the likelihood of Roberts, or Huff getting traded and what will the orioles do with Walker, Hernandez , Millar, and Payton this off season? Will Quiroz still be the backup to MT if Hernandez is gone?
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For answers to these questions and more, tune in next week to "As The Team Turns"... OK, sorry. Roberts and Huff both could be dealt if the Orioles get enough in return, which isn't exactly a concrete answer. I don't see Payton or Hernandez coming back, though trading Hernandez will be tricky. Millar is probably less than 50-50. Walker will only be back if O's are convinced he was pitching hurt this year and isn't finished. The Orioles look to upgrade their backup catcher every winter, and this one won't be any different. - Roch
Strikeouts actually have nothing to do with it - leadoff hitters need to walk, and at this point in his career Jones doesn't. It's actually better for a leadoff hitter (whose job is to get on base) to strike out than for a middle-of-the-order guy (whose job is to advance runners) to strike out.
Jones is a much better player at the end of this year compared to April. I'm predicting a .290/20/80 season for him next year.
It's not Halloween. Someone tell Brandon Fahey to take his costume off and go to bed.
Walker will be back. He is not tradable and is owed too much money. Relief pitchers have a tendency to have a wide varience in effectivness from year to year. At the very least Walker is on the team in spring training and pitches his way off of it. My guess is he makes the team out of spring training and gets released some time in May.
Jones is definitely not a leadoff hitter. Maybe a #2 and at this point he would be best as a #6 hitter for next year. He doesn't steal much, or successfully. In close to 2,000 minor league at bats (roughly four 500 ab seasons) he had 45 steals and got caught 25 times.
Most of the time he only walked 30-40 times. Definitely not a leadoff hitter. He kind of reminds me of Chris Young (CF Diamondbacks), although his defense is weaker but hopefully will hit for a better average.
Spending money on Teixera is just foolish. With at least 4 holes in the starting rotation, you'd be better off spending on pitching or saving it for when you get closer to having a winning team. I personally wouldn't spend anything on Burnett either. Try to get a decent SS and some average pitchers with minimal health issues for a decent price (i.e. avoid spending huge amount of money on a single SP when you need some much).
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseball/380183_moore23.html
Worth a quick read for a laugh... I didn't think it could be worse than our embarassing no heart collapse but Seattle is really, really bad.
Who am i describing?
Can complete one trip through an opposing lineup with some success; fairly inconsistent throughout the strikezone; lots of walks; single-digit wins; ERA of around 5.25-6.50; 87-93 mph; no real out pitch.
If you said anyone but Guthrie-- you win!
As for the Cabrerra sighting I say...Yawn...who cares!?
I don't care if Cabrera's has been pitching with a broken arm all year long...LET HIM GO!