Category Archive:
Roch Kubatko
Payton and Simon
Jay Payton has his share of detractors on this blog, but you have to concede that nobody runs the bases harder than this guy.
Payton just scored from first on Guillermo Quiroz's double in the sixth inning that increased the Orioles' lead to 4-1. He went in standing. He didn't slow up until reaching the top step of the dugout.
Alfredo Simon's first major league start is going to be a memorable one. Six innings so far, and only one run allowed (in the first inning). Ten of his 18 outs have been ground balls. His fastball is being clocked in the 93-94 mph range.
How did the Monterrey Sultans let him get away?
We should note that most of the Tampa Bay regulars are on the bench, but it's still been an impressive display.
Roch:
A feature of the Angelos years has been acquisition of quality pitching from Mexico. Think Rodrigo Lopez and Jose Mercedes. Add this guy to the list. That's a great way to add guys to the rotation. The thing that surprises me is that the trend continues even without the hand of Syd Thrift on the tiller.
Not only is Simon a great acquisition but it prevents the braying mob from calling for the signing of an overpriced free agent. Simon or Paul Byrd at three years? Simple: Simon.
I have been so consistently outside of the MASN market all year that the final Yankees game was the first all year I've actually been able to watch, and that only because ESPN blacked out MASN, and not vice versa. I've followed along in other ways, mostly by reading up in the sports news and blogs. But you miss a lot of the little things not being able to watch the game yourself, and the one thing I did notice the other night was Jay Payton's hustle. Particularly when he beat out that throw from Andy Pettite on the grounder back to the mound. Simply stunning. I can't figure Payton out. There was the thing where he wouldn't flip his bill for Sherrill earlier in the year, and his odd ejections here and there. Guys like that seem not to be team players, and naturally usually have trouble playing hard. But Payton is the hardest playing player we have. I just don't get it. Any insight Roch?
Roch - Do you know anything about Simon being drafted by the Phillies under a different name?
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Can't say that I do. I only know that the Orioles took him in the Rule 5 draft and immediately traded him to the Phillies for another Rule 5 kid (catcher Adam Donachie). - Roch
I HATE Jamie Walker!
why is jamie walker even pitching anymore? he's been awful all season! what a waste of an incredible start by Simon...ugh!
It's not why is Walker pitching, why is Trembley leaving him in so long? If he he doesn't get you out of the inning have a guy ready to go behind him.
Walker needs to go--he has nothing left. Let Simon hang around and see where he sticks--as putrid as the O's staff has been with walking the ballpark, Simon, after tonight, deserves several guaranteed opportunities.
Is Game 2 the worst or just the latest late-season meltdown in a single game by the Orioles? I can't keep track anymore. That 4-32 meltdown from a few years ago still gets my vote as the worst Orioles' finish ever.
Well that was an ugly inning. Take a fire suit to the news conference Roch. I think you'll need it the way Trembley will be steaming.
Roch--You are right, memorable. Simon just went from singing "You can Call me Alfredo" to "I am a Rock, I am an Island."
What Dave Trembley did by bringing in Jamie Walker was so nuts it looks like Masochism.
Still loyal to Jamie? Something else? Another point being made? What a way to screw up a guy's impressive Major League debut, one that should have been a win.
I was all set to write fun things like serving Ray Alfredo or the Rays being Simonized. Instead, this.
Can't we have some fun and enjoy a win?
I'll admit I am an anti-Jay Payton guy. I do appreciate the hustle since some guys can't do that (RAMON!). I think my biggest issue was how bad a signing he was. He is a great 4th OF and a quality bat vs Lefties(.481 Slugging). But the $10 mil they spent could have gone towards a more pressing need. Like a LF that can hit HRs, get on base, steal bases or bat .300.
Like Tike Redman (in 2007) would have been a fine 4th OF. He hit over .300 and stole bases.
Wow really it looks like 2007 was a bad year for the O's signing Free Agents (except Huff I guess): Payton, Walker, Bradford(money-wise), Baez, Mora(yes I still think it was a bad resigning) and Williamson.