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He has looked good in Norfolk, let's hope it translates this time. I wonder if he'll be in a position to close at all. I wouldn't mind a however can get it done approach at this point.

btw, Jack it's WIEters and BerkEn.

It's bad enough that I now skip Jak's redundant blogs. But now I hav to skip them more than once, because he copies them to another post. Isn't that doubly redundant?

I wish School of Roch was around to hear what Jak had to spew about Flanny.

Brummie..at least you had some suggestions for GM, though I think you're still slightly impatient w/ the plan.

I do think the team could use a shake up. I'd like to see some of the kid pitchers come up now. The team looks very listless. I have to put that at the manger's feet, even though I have a lot of respect for DT. It doesn't look like it's working.

The lineup looks fine. Rotation, when it pitches OK, gets let down by the bullpen.
Bullpen, pitches Ok unless there's a lead to protect. Just not clicking in proper sync. I don't have any suggestions for a replacement, I can just see it's not working.

Why in the world did they bring up a late inning guy when they need middle relief. Doesn't McCrory basically have just one pitch? This has bad move written all over it. I'd would have rather gone to Bowie for Wilfredo although I suspect he'd have to clear waivers again.At least it wasn't Andy Mitchell.

Makes sense to me. The right move [ for 15 days.] Miller later on. No young guns for this move. Love to see Nick throw to one batter. Still no Lowen playing on any Toronto MILB team, yet.

Roch,

I am a pretty critical guy, but I cannot understand why some of the posters (Jack et al) are so negative, especially towards McPhail. I agree that Pie, and likely Hill, are personal projects of McPhail -- I believe he was involved in their initial scouting at Chicago. But he is not an idiot. If Pie continues to play poorly, he is not just going to sit on his hands. I want to also point out that, before the season started, experts such at Buster Olney were raving about the O's strong young, defensive OF with the inclusion of Pie, so 1) it was not a wild unfounded acquision, and 2) it got rid of Olson, who, by the way, is not doing anyhing.

Currently and projecting trough 2010, in all, the O's have a strong line up. I am thinking that Huff will re-sign, and the O's will offer Mora the 1-yr extension at a lower salary -- he'll take, as he is old and has rooted his family in the area. That's Roberts, Jones, Markakis, Huff, Weiters, Mora, some LF combination of LF and DH that does not include Pie, Izturis. Not too bad. Beyond 2010, there are certain prospects who should be ready.

Pitching is a disaster; it's no secret, and we will likely see players coming up and down during the year. Here, though, is where I disagree with some of the posters. Experience is 1 thing, but players have to develop. I am of the opinion that a prospect should move through the system once he has nothing left to prove at the current level. You cannot bring a prosect along too fast if there are still areas of development. Do you think a pitcher who is working on a 3rd pitch will be able to do that in starts against the Sox, Jays, or anyone else? If you do, you have never played a sport in your life. By next year, all of the names will be in the rotation -- Guthrie, Tillman, Bergerson, Arrieta, etc... The bullpen will almost completely change over. If enough of the young guns are ready, I would not be surprised if Uehara moves to the BP, but that is just speculation.

I know McPhail did not throw money at pitching this year, but, really, what would have been the point? 1) no one was coming here. 2) it would have been a wasted year.

Also, look at some of the off-of-the-field improvements, not the least of which was an expanded geographical reach. I am fine with the long-term plan.

So if the team sends McCrory back to AAA again, it won't count against his options because he is being called up to replace a guy on the DL, correct? Thanks.
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No. You're getting it confused with the rule where you can recal a player who was sent down before 10 days are up if he's replacing an injured player. Doesn't have anything to do with options. - Roch

HEY JOEL C, .... The reason you don't read Jack Brummie's post is because it is too painful for you........There are plenty of things in their posts that make sense !.........Just read some of the other posts...&...Get your head out of the sand

Here's an idea: Bring up Tillman, Hernandez or Erbe. Yeah I know they are starters, but let them get the call up jitters out of the way in the bullpen and get some extra time working with Kranny. I mean they are already on pitch counts which will limit them to 5 innings up here at most. May as well put them in the pen to start off with. And when Sarfate is healthy, we can dump Eaton and move the call up guy into the rotation.

Wait, I'm talking about logical decisions here, forget it, this is Andrew we are dealing with. Andrew will sign Vizcaino from Cubs who has been on waivers for nearly 10 days now or better yet, bring up a reliever who is a late innings guy with one pitch to be our middle relief/long man.

I hope McCrory succeeds, but Andrew is already putting him in a position to fail.

HEY JAMES,....Are you tired of reading Jack Brummie's thoughts......OR.....is it the team that is bringing you down ???? .......DON'T KILL THE MESSENGER .....Everyone knows that changes need to be made ........ OR,..... do you think things are fine ????

Bill G.
again I have to agree with you. I actually wrote about this in a earlier post, it seems like this team just needs to learn how to win. there is always a break down somewhere that costs us the game, like they choke. Get good starting pitching, and the bullpen blows it. If we do get a solidly pitched game, they don't score any runs, or we commit a costly error that leads to a loss. when there is no pressure, they play well. maybe its just early season jitters, but you would think that would have subsided by now. I don't know if you can lay that on Trembley or not. I think its just something they need to over come, part of the learning process.
Roch, has anyone addressed this issue with DT ot AM? Teaching players to perform under pressure. Sometimes fells like we baby these guys to much.

So Sarfate pulled his out of options? That must be the injury de jur this season, first Hill, then Wang now Sarfate. Wonder if Pie is going to strain his soon.

HEY RichD, All you talk about is the future........Have you been living in the future for the last 11 years with this team ?????.......How's that been for you as a fan ?......Is that all there is every spring, NEXT YEAR ???? How about living in the present !!!! ... Are there no changes that you think could be made to improve the O's ???

Bill G,
atleast I have suggestions instead of "I dont have no suggestions for a replacement to the starters." Well if you dont have a replacement idea, let me suggest taking a look at Norfolks pitching stats. I present facts not constant dribble.

should have called up Jim Miller, he's been pithcing better

Constant facts, such as bring up Berken who is on the DL. good one.