Roster additions coming
The Orioles won't dip into Double-A Bowie's roster today to further expand their roster. Instead, they'll bring up three players from Triple-A Norfolk:
Catcher Omir Santos has gotten the nod over Chris Heintz. He'll be joined by infielder Brandon Fahey and pitcher Alfredo Simon, recently signed from the Mexican League.
Simon started, and lost, the Tides' last game. The Orioles obtained him in the 2006 Rule 5 draft before immediately dealing him to the Phillies for Rule 5 catcher Adam Donachie, who didn't make the club in spring training.
Consider it the Rule 5 circle of life.
It doesn't appear that another outfielder will be added, at least not right away, with Adam Jones off the disabled list.
Update: The Orioles also acquired middle reliever Brian Bass from the Minnesota Twins for a player to be named.
Roch:
You mentioned the lack of an OF in the call-ups, but don't forget Fahey can play a very credible OF. He was an important glove and bat in LF one year as a starter.
THis is the time of year things get interesting. We can use a full 40-man roster it gives us important advantages over other organizations whose 40-man rosters are not as deep. That list would include nearly ever club in baseball.
Dan, you can still make trades. In order for a player to be on the postseason roster, they have to be on that team before 9/1.
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Thanks for handling that question. I meant to get back to it and totally forgot. - Roch
Hey Roch,
What is the deal with Brian Matusz option years? Many publications say he will be optionalable in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012, but that means he wasnt optioned this year, even though he had to be moved off the active roster. So does Matusz have 3 or 4 options left after this season?
Thanks!
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Matusz's contract begins in 2009. - Roch
You'll know the Orioles have turned the corner when they stop viewing the Rule 5 Draft as a source for cornerstone players. I think Syd Thrift's greatest pride was nabbing Jay Gibbons as a Rule 5-er. And Gibbons perfectly fit the bill of starting outfielder on a 4th place team.
The moves being made will require clearing three roster spots. Since Fiorentino and Torres are not being recalled it looks like they will be removed from the 40 man roster. Other possibilities are Burres, Deza and Cintron. Those are the only possible moves I can see at the present time.
Roch,
How are we able to still acquire a player after the 08/31 trade deadline?
I don't even know Simon or Bass, but I bet they would do better than Walker. Why o' why does DT keep using that guy? He will get him fired if he isn't careful, if he hasn't already done so.