Castillo officially an Oriole
The Orioles announced today that they've purchased Alberto Castillo's contract from Triple-A Norfolk and released left-hander Jamie Walker.
Walker posted a 5.11 ERA - seven earned runs in 12 1/3 innings - over 22 appearances this season. He allowed 19 hits and five home runs. Left-handers were batting 458 against him, with four homers and 11 hits.
"I had to call him early this morning," manager Dave Trembley said moments ago on the Scott Garceau and Anita Marks Show on MASN. "A great teammate. A guy who earned a lot of respect from his teammates, went about his business professionally, never made excuses, lived up to the responsibility that came with the position he was in.
"It was tough for me to tell him, but he understood and I wish him a lot of success if he gets picked up by another team."
Trembley also said that Castillo was the best available option for the Orioles.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
Official move! Yes! I wish Walker well but it was clear that his time had gone here with the Orioles, with the way he was performing. Let's see how Castillo does.
Good guy...wish him the best of luck. I just think age has taken its toll on Walker. Castillo is a good choice and hopefully Perez will follow as well.
Somewhat mixed emotions on the departure of Jamie. As DT noted, he has been a good teamate and earned quite a bit of respect from me personally because of his support of the Armed Forces. But, of course, this was absolutely the right move for the organization and because Jamie's recent performance certainly warrants it. I wish him the best and hope that SOMEONE can get lefties out in that bullpen.
Go O's...beat Oakland!
About time. Throw strikes Alberto.
I've been calling out for this for over a month now. Happy day all around. Good luck to Jamie Walker in the future.
Roch,
Do you see Hendrickson sticking all year when he is not producing either.
His numbers in 36 innings are as follows:
64 Baserunners
5.50 ERA
Only 26 K's
That is pittiful for any team.
Be nice to see him go also! His numbers are even worse then Walkers!
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I could see him being let go later this season if the Orioles need to make room on the pitching staff. - Roch
I liked Jamie Walker cause of how much people respected him but he wasnt performing and Im hoping Castillo can hold the fort down till Wilfredo Perez is deemed ready.
Also, Roch- I read on espn.com that one of their analysts thinks that Chris Tillman is the most major league ready minor league pitcher right now after Tommy Hansen was called up by Atlanta. I know the type of numbers he's put up but he has allowed 16 runs (even if only 9 were earned) which shows me he might not be getting out of as many jams as his ERA indicates. I think he'll be great and I'd love to see him in an O's uniform tomorrow but do you think he is ready?
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I think he could use a little more time, but I don't know what the reports say about him. - Roch
He not part of the long term solution is part of the problem. No time for sentimentality after a decade+ of losing baseball. Invest wisely Jamie.
Wow! Must have been tough for Andy to eat that contract, but how many chances can you give a guy before you cut the string? It was time. Good luck Jamie.
Man!! we've had to eat ALOT of money when you think about Gibbons, Benson, Hernandez, and now Walker. Those guys had HORRIBLE contracts. Imagine if we could have put that money into scouting and development... we could have signed like 20 dudes from Venezuela.
This still leaves unresolved the issue of who goes when Koji returns. if i were Mark Hendrickson, I might not unbag my bag Sunday (well, ok Wednesday or Thursday!)!
Slowly but surely they are weeding out all the past mistakes that they have made.Win or lose the last couple of weeks have been very enjoyable watching the young pitchers have success.Now the only thing left for them to do is get Dave T to get his players to be accountable every game and every inning that they step between the white lines. I know most people don't want to touch this subject with a ten foot pole, but i truly believe there have been more then one instance this year where Brian roberts looks totally disinterested. He has on more then one occasion nonchanlated balls hit to him, he hasn't always run hard to first base, and has been in two prolonged slumps where his frustration has really affected him. While signing Brian was a excellent move on the surface , because of his popularity, his chartiable contributions to the community, brian wants to play for a winner and all the money in the world won't change your attitude. Many other fans have noticed the same things that i have just mentioned, but nobody dares make a issue with it because he is the Favorite son.
You need a front office job with the O's or you need to be a big bet guy..you are right on here lately in there predictions on lots of issues or subjects..lineups...call ups..releases..etc etc...you are the man...roster is taking better shape. I will throw one question at you....think Hernandez goes dowwn to AAA when Uehara comes back???
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As of right now, that would be my guess. - Roch
I feel bad for Jamie, considering he's now contributing to the nation's unemployment percentage, but he's not quite in as much of a bind as the rest of the unemployed, considering the money he was making.
He's a great guy, but baseball wise his performance was unacceptable.
I wish him the best of luck, and I hope an AL East team signs him to be a "situational lefty" to face Markakis, Huff, and Scott later in the year!
Castillo pitched well last year and hopefully he can keep up his performance from last year and this year in AAA. If I recall, he went something like 5 or 6 appearances last season before allowing a run.
I wish managers would refrain from saying how difficult it is for them to fire someone. Of course it feels bad for Trembley, but that's kind of irrelevant compared with how bad it feels for Walker (or any other player in his place). Reminds me of a guy I know who was always whining about how terrible it was for him that his friend was dying of cancer.
I'll shed a tear as I watch Walker's '85 Trans Am pull out of the Camden Yards parking lot for the last time.
Best of luck Jamie!
As I've said in a previous comment, Jamie Walker is a pro. He may not have produced this year the way we'd have hoped he would, but he took the news like a man. Despite his travails this year, I can't say anything negative about him. Hopefully Castillo will fill the role and produce.
When do you think we will see Arietta? will he be in the rotation next year/
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I think he'll be in the rotation next season. Not sure if he comes up this summer. Maybe Sept call-up if he isn't shut down. - Roch
Roch, since you're on a roll with the predictions can we talk Guthrie for a second? Rosenthal mentioned that the Orioles have "received numerous inquiries" about him. What are your thoughts? How long before the O's are Guthrie-less? It's not a day I'm wishing for, by the way. I want him in an Orioles uniform as long as possible but I understand the young guns are beating down the door and there won't be a place for him here much longer. Just wondering if you have any insider knowledge of the plans for him.
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Don't know the team's plans. He's coming up on his arbitration years, so I wouldn't be shocked if he's moved at some point. - Roch
Roch, why wouldn't the team make this annoucement yesterday and give Castillo a chance to get a flight out the Oakland be ready for tonight's game?
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Castillo was told last night. Players are notified before the press release comes out. - Roch
Roch...
I ordered my authentic Orioles road jersey with #15 Matt Wieters. How long before I look like an idiot wearing Wieters and the #15 now that Walker is gone?
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Don't know. He might choose to wait until it's at least gotten cold before snatching it. - Roch
Rock,
Where is Cash Considerations playing now? You know the ptbnl in the Bradford trade.
Tillman just turned 21, no reason to rush him or the other guys. Matusz needs to be promoted around the break but I'd be happy if all of the big 3 started next year at Norfolk. Our rotation can be some form of Guthrie, Uehara, Hill, Bergesen, Berken, Patton & Hernandez with the young guys forcing their way onto the team. At least we shouldn't be stuck with a bunch of rotation retreads out of spring training again.
Rock, Long time reader, first time poster. I want to draw you and your readers to the lead story in Tucson, Arizona's daily, The Arizona Star. See this web page, http://www.azstarnet.com/. Looks like Pima County is making a big push for the Orioles to move spring training to Tucson. Wouldn't that be great for us desert birds. A new complex, no rent at the current complex until the new digs are done. They will built to O's specs. Sounds like they will do just about what it takes to get our birds. Weather here in February-April is fantastic. Very little rain and mild sunny days. O's have not made a comment, and have not returned calls to the paper. Have you got any ideas, insights, or insider info on this breaking story?
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Not really breaking. It's been out there for a little while. They're pursuing the Orioles, and the Orioles are willing to listen. But I know they'd prefer staying in Fla. - Roch
Anyone else think we burned him out in 2006? He was the only dependable guy to bridge to the end of the game.
I suppose that's why these guys get paid what they do.
Thanks for all your work with the veterans Jaime. Good luck.
Steve- Have you heard of a high school pitcher by the name of Michael Twigg? He is out of berkeley Springs, WV, about 1 hr and a half away from charm city. He is a southpaw with a fast ball topped out at 92-93mph. He also has an above average curveball, and a changeup with a lot of movement. He reminds me a lot of Rich Hill. I know all this because I caught him in high school ball. He is by far the best pitcher in the state...Orioles should take a look at him for the draft...
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I'm not Steve, but I never heard of him. - Roch
I wish my best to Jamie......he is one of the great guys in baseball these days. What he does for the Armed Forces is above and beyond and he is a class act.
Unfortunately, when it comes to any job, performance is king and he just was not getting it done. I hope not, but I tend to think his career is over. Maybe another team gives him a shot but he seems tired......gotta love the grit though, he just wants to play ball.
I meant Roch lol also his era is 0.65!!! In about 60 innings of work! He also had a no hitter this year, and a perfect game last year...also he hd somewhere around 75 K's
Wrong again Bob Lancione. First off you said Brian would never re-sign here in the first place, that he wanted to play for a winner. Yet now that he's signed he has decided to loaf because the team isn't winning? Once again you're just not making any sense. This theory is almost as bad as the one you had on Guthrie withholding service or "tanking games" because the Orioles cut his pay. You need to drop the amateur psychology and realize that the Orioles have most likely advised Roberts that as someone who plays everyday and plays a tough position, to save himself on routine plays in order to keep him fresher for the long haul. Earl Weaver would always tell his stars like Eddie Murray not to dive on ground balls through the infield, that an out saved wasn't worth a jammed wrist or worse. That's what you have to grasp Bob, baseball is a marathon, its not about blood and guts on every play, try not to mix up your sports, it's about sustained performance over the long haul and Roberts gives us that in spades.
It IS very obvious to me Roberts is just going thru the motions way TOOOO much for a team "leader", hahahahah and a guy who was just paid very handsomely to be the team look to guy! ANY player who doesn't hustle his A$$ to first on every grounder should be pulled from the game and replaced instantly! Obviously just being a professional and getting paid MILLIONS to do so isn;t reason enough!
My guess is that if Matt even cares about switching numbers the club would ask him to refrain and wait until the offseason to do so...otherwise they'll have a bunch of people heading back to the souvenier stands with their #15 t-shirts in hand looking for refunds (and yes, I caved in to the hype and bought one last weekend...sue me!)
Did you take a look at him Roch? I believe there was an article on him here it is http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/520471.html
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I haven't. - Roch
shoreman said:
It IS very obvious to me Roberts is just going thru the motions way TOOOO much for a team "leader",
I've noticed the same thing about Roberts. He also gets picked off alot and sometimes when the pitcher throws the ball Roberts will turn his back or lay his bat on his shoulder before the ball even gets to home plate.
I like Roberts but I think he could be better and more consistent
I am not going to use this site to debate you Joe. There are way to many in agreement with me on this one. There would be many more if not for all his popularity. Shoreman has the same feelings as i do. Yes i would be viewd as being negative on many issues, but i tackle the things that most people feel but don't want to say. Even the sportwriters in this town give way to many free passes to things because thay don't want to upset things. If you honestly don't see the same things about Roberts as i do then you are really just kidding yourself. See joe i am in agreement with you on 1 thing , BASEBALL IS A LONG HAUL and a very grinding drawn out sport, but players like Dustin p and other elite second baseman play hard everyday. You want to know why because it's so much easier to play for a winner then play for a losing team your whole career. Yes Brian roberts sign a extension because the money was way to good for him to turn down, but you can bet your last dollar that he would prefer to play on a winning team,as he gets older. There are way to many instances where his performance and his body language indicate a complete lack of interest which is totally unacceptable.
If I'm not mistaken, wasn't Castillo the pitcher who throws a submarine pitch to lefties and an overarm pitch to righties? Do you know if he still does this?
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Haven't seen him pitch lately, but doubt he's changed. It's not really submarine, but drops down. - Roch
Some people have talked about trading Guthrie. I don't have a prefence one way or the other. But if he pitches extremely well for the next month the O's should be able to get a very good package like they did for Bedard.
If that's the case then it would be good for the club to trade him. If the O's can't get a very good package for him I would like to see him stay.
Has everyone (shoreman) forgotten that Brian Roberts has been dealing with some leg issues since last week? Of course he's not running full speed. He probably can't right now. He's probably playing in pain. Give it a few weeks. It's a long season.
If you're gonna be worried about something, be worried about the lack of the team getting into deep counts.
Roch: For my fellow loyal SoR readers who may have missed it, Steve M. posted a really excellent interview with Andy McPhail today - subject - the upcoming draft:
http://masnsports.com/2009/06/andy-macphail-on-the-draft.html
Of course, Roch is always the first stop, but your combined coverage of the O's is just head and shoulders over any other sports coverage in the area - for any sport. Go O's!
It took ANDREW long enough!!
This move should have been made months ago.
Now dump Hendrickson, Pie, Zaun and Wigginton.
Roch what did you think about the article? He is going to play at WVU
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I haven't read it yet. But if he's looking for an advisor before the draft, I'm recommending you. - Roch
Roch - Have been listening to Scott and Anita since 3:00 - best they have ever done. Anita was even tolerable!
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Love listening to Artie Donovan. Happy Birthday! - Roch
I have seen it Bob. The ball in the hole that Cervelli hit and beat out for a infield hit that Sunday afternoon vs. the Yankees was a play that should have been made. Roberts cadillacing that ball likely cost the Orioles the game in fact. Overall however, Roberts does play hard and does a great job leading off and isn't part of the problem. Very soon he will be playing for a winner though, my master plan is coming together just like I told you it would.
Does this mean we can pitch to Pena again?