Digesting the trade
The Cleveland Indians have released pitcher Masa Kobayashi.
Does this mean he'll have to eat his own contract?
If Cla Meredith is a poor man's Chad Bradford, does this mean he'll be traded later for a poor man's PTBNL?
Blake Davis homered for Triple-A Norfolk last night on the second pitch of the game, which is more interesting when you consider that Bartolo Colon was on the mound.
Colon, on an injury-rehab assignment with Charlotte, also gave up a run-scoring single to Justin Turner in the first, and a two-run homer to Jeff Fiorentino in the fifth.
As for yesterday's trade with the Padres, it'll probably be long forgotten - unless Oscar Salazar blows up and becomes a home run-hitting machine in San Diego. Then we'll be revisiting it quite often.
I always liked Salazar's bat, and so did manager Dave Trembley. I was hoping that he'd get a chance over the second half, but he was the victim of a roster crunch and an empty bag of minor league options. And the club never could determine where to play him.
As for Meredith, he could be a useful component in the bullpen, and he provides a little insurance in case Danys Baez is traded. It's "inventory," as Andy MacPhail likes to call it. And it beats losing Salazar on waivers.
The Orioles weren't going to get much in return. Teams knew he was out of options and had to be moved. And did someone really suggest getting Adrian Gonzalez straight-up for Salazar? I hope that was done in jest.
Felix Pie also was the subject of trade talks, but he's the backup center fielder. If he's dealt, another outfielder would have to replace him who can spell Adam Jones. And I don't mean A-D-A-M J-O-N-E-S.
I hope Salazar is given the chance to establish himself with the Padres. Sink or swing, if you will. I think we're all a little curious. But it just wasn't going to happen here, and that's unfortunate.
In the meantime, as I wrote yesterday, look for Kam Mickolio to return to Norfolk to make room on the 25-man roster for David Hernandez.
By the way, the new reliever's full name is Olise Claiborne Meredith III. And his nickname is "The Claw," which sounds like a villain in an Austin Powers movie.
Meredith was born in Richmond, Va., in the same year that the Orioles won their last World Series.
Maybe it's a sign.
 |
Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
You said you were going to try and make some AL East road trips over the second half...does that start tonight?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I thought it would, but it didn't work out. - Roch
roch
Why is everyone is all fired up about losing Salazar? I liked him as a bench player, but we were going to lose him to waivers anyway, so i think it was a good (not great) move by mcphail to get a reliever out of the deal. The claw is a situational guy, come in, get the ground ball out (hopefully). Like you said, better than losing Salazar to waivers. Though you do have to worry about his 4+ Era pitching in the NL west. Thats like AA ball compared to the AL east.
Going to the game tomorrow night at Yanks, wish me luck. Though i have found the new stadium to be a much more peaceful place for O's fans.
Good talk, i'll see you out there.
As much as people bash Pie...Oscar was always the one who was going to get moved. Pie doesn't quite offer the bat that Oscar has, but as a 4th OF, he provides speed and quickness that can help a team win in the 8th or 9th inning. Would you rather Pie pinch run, or have Wiggy, Zaun, or Oscar? Not to mention how pathetic it is that Guthrie has had to pinch run all those times.
This is such a miniscule move, now focus on moving Sherrill to the Angels for Brandon Wood!
I wish Oscar luck with the Padres. With his bat he deserves at least a shot at being an every day player. Too bad he has to do it at the pitcher-friendly PETCO.
From Rotoworld.com:
Padres acquired infielder Oscar Salazar from the Orioles for RHP Cla Meredith.
Meredith's star had fallen a long way, but it's still stunning to see the rebuilding Padres part with him for a 31-year-old pinch-hitter. Maybe they think Salazar is a viable major league starter, but if he is, it's at first or third, two positions the Padres should have covered going forward. They could try living with him at second for now with David Eckstein and Edgar Gonzalez sidelined, but he doesn't have the range to turn into a fixture there.
Another nice move by MacPhail...getting something for basically nothing!
I think people need to chill out about this insignificant trade. We got a young major league reliever for a AAAA player who is a defensive liability. He will not become a starter for the Padres. I think we are pretty lucky to get anything for Salazar. Sure he's a good pinch hitter, but he wasn't getting any playing time here. We bolstered our bullpen a little...we always need more pitching!
I've been reading a lot about Orioles scouts at Angels games. Could there be a deal in the works for Sherrill?
Also, since Meredith has an option left, is it possible he's optioned to Triple-A to get himself straightened out and Kam stays?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sherrill to the Angels is a possibility, though the Orioles aren't in a major rush to deal him. And Meredith is staying here. - Roch
Olise Claiborne Meredith III. That is SO Richmond.
I am left with no conclusion but that Andrew has lost the plot.
Demoting Mickolo? He's been one of our best relievers during the time he was here.
I cannot see how this is helping the team. Pie never ever plays. If Jones got hurt we could survive for the rest of the game and then recall someone from Norfolk the next day.
Sorry, but Andrew needs to go. He's lost it. He's wheeling and dealing just for the sake of it, not to actually improve the team. He's playing favourites while sending down decent players.
Winning is not a priority of this Front Office nor will it be as long as Andrew and his cronies are in charge.
Andy is moving pieces around. I like this. If Baez or Sherrill is traded, we'll actually have someone with ML experience able to step in and help. Better choice than, say, Julio Manon or Sendy Rleal.
Hey Brummie...Kam has pitched 3.2 innings and given up 1 hit and 2 walks...sounds a little like Hobgood's pro debut minus the extra 2.2 innings of work?
I'm surprised you won't label Kam a bust, too?!? But I guess you gotta be the devil's advocate in EVERY move that the O's make!
Nice move, you get a still young legit MLB ready reliever for a journey-man without a true position in the field.
It would have been nice to have Oscar around to compete to the potentially vacant 1b/3b openings next year, but we didnt have a choice. The O's kind of forced their hand themselves. When Oscar was up, he hardly played. What was the point of bringing him up?? Why bring up a guy who is out of options then not play him?? You backed yourself into a corner. I guess the team viewed him as expendable.
Overall we added another arm & thats a good thing.
Dumb question: Why doesn't this blog have an RSS feed?
Also, about the Salazar trade... meh. I ain't particularly happy, I ain't particularly unhappy. I'm... zen.
B.O. you're an idiot.
Lost the plot? So dealing a 31 year old for a 26 year old is losing it? Sending down Kam to bring up Hernandez is killing the O's? I doubt Kam stays down long. Maybe until Baez and/or Sherrill get dealt.
How is it playing favorites when Trembley loved Oscar? Its playing smart. Dealing the 31 yr old minor leaguer without a position for anything is an upgrade. Oscar has been on the roster since June 7th. He had 31 ABs. Sure he gave the O's some nice pinch hits (6 for 14 as PH) and now he got them another young arm.
Better then the big nothing any team could have had him for at the beginning of the year.
Not Crawl, claw!! claw!!
Roch,
who do you suppose goes down when Sarfate comes back?
I like the depth MacPhail is buliding w/ the amount of arms in the Pen'... the only thing that concerns me a little is that they are all righties.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not sure right now. Maybe we have a trade by then and a spot opens. - Roch
I long for the Syd Thrift or Mike Flanagan eras to return to Baltimore's Front Office... There was so much hope for the future back then, and we had so many players that everyone was bashing them for having to move decent players because of a numbers crunch...
Wait. That didn't happen during the Thrift and Flanagan regimes?
Well, gosh, I guess McPhail has done a decent job over the past couple years, afterall.
What is Brummie talking about. I actually agree, tading Salazar was a mistake. He is better than Wiggington and cheaper, but AM is still the man. He just made a mistake.
I would not trade Sherrill unless the other team is willing to give up the farm. That would be a ridiculous move. That wouldnot show Orioles' fans--- that he is sticking with the plan. I have to believe sherrill is part of the plan. Now Baez that is a different story.....
EAT HIS CONTRACT!!!! AHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
DOES HE SOAK IT IN WATER FIRST?!?!
I see that you mentioned that you have some help from the MASN team approving some comments. Good for you! I posted a list of things that might be done technically to improve the operation of the blog, and a few other readers chipped in, but I do not think you replied to any of us. (Sorry if I missed it.) Is there someone there at MASN to whom we can forward these suggestions? Or can you let us know if you forwarded them? Thanks very much, as always.
Regarding Salazar for Meredith: Let's see. Salazar had 13 hits for us this year. 13. We will miss his bat off the bench. But he sure seems to have gotten a lot of love for 13 hits. Meanwhile, Meredith is 26 years old and has averaged 69 innings pitched per year in the major leagues. (for comparison sake, J.Johnson averages 68.2 and Chad Bradford 63.
I believe Meredith's contributions will be far greater.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The people who run the Web site read the comments, but you could pass along suggestions to Kate (who has the O's Buzz blog). She's pretty high up on the food chain when it comes to the technical stuff. Again, not my department, but I want the site to be convenient for everyone. - Roch
Appears to me that this Salzar situation worked out quite well for the O's. If he had hit .150, there is a good chance he could have made it back through waivers. But instead in those few at bats he hit over 400 and the O's got a proven MLB pitcher with a career ERA of under 4. Lets look at his good, but very limited numbers as a blessing and not as a foretelling of the beginning of a great career.
Interesting that Salazar might see most of his time in San Diego at second base. They needed someone to replace Edgar Gonzalaz after he got beaned the other night. SD is pretty much set at the corners with Adrian Gonzalez/Kouzmanoff/Headley. I can't imagine Salazar being a 2B solution, and it will be interesting to see what happens to him when E. Gonzalaz returns. Ultimately, Salazar will be a utility guy in SD, just like here, except he'll get a few more pinch-hit opportunities in the NL.
I also think they felt Meredith was expendible because he is arbitration-eligible after this year, and that organization is in money-saving mode right now. Remember, Meredith was a huge part of the Padres' playoff team in 2006, when he went 5-1 with a 1.07 ERA.
If Meredith comes in here and pitches well, that would increase the chances of Sherrill getting traded. Then they would move Johnson to closer and feel good about Meredith as a possible 8th-inning guy, instead of the shaky Baez.
I like Salazar's bat off the bench, but the reality is that teams knew we had to get rid of him in a roster crunch. Getting a serviceable reliver for him is good under the circumstances. Personally, I would have preferred to see the O's trade Mora to a contender (I know he has a no-trade clause, but he might waive it for a legit shot at the playoffs) and play Wigginton and Salazar at third the rest of the season. Alas.
hey roch,
any idea where this kid went to high school? i'm his age and from richmond and i never heard of him. the big pitcher in my age group in little league was a guy named Verlander. I think he's doing pretty well...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't know. Will have to dig up a Padres media guide. - Roch
I thought the O's were in the talent acquisition business. When is it philosophically practical to trade away a player who does nothing but produce whenever called upon, albeit in a limited capacity, in favor of players who have been given ample opportunities and have not produced virtually at all. It just does not belie sound business sense. AM has done an otherwise outstanding job in just about everything associated with rebuilding this organization's talent pool. It would have been nice to see Oscar Salazar given a chance to compete against Ty Wiggington for a spot on this roster. Let's hope this move does not come back to haunt the O's down the road. I wish you well Oscar.
Brummie_Oriole said:
I am left with no conclusion but that Andrew has lost the plot.
Demoting Mickolo? He's been one of our best relievers during the time he was here.
I cannot see how this is helping the team. Pie never ever plays. If Jones got hurt we could survive for the rest of the game and then recall someone from Norfolk the next day.
Sorry, but Andrew needs to go. He's lost it. He's wheeling and dealing just for the sake of it, not to actually improve the team. He's playing favourites while sending down decent players.
Winning is not a priority of this Front Office nor will it be as long as Andrew and his cronies are in charge.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
B_O, you are truly a baseball dolt. Kam has already used an option this year so he can go up and down as many times as needed. Albeit Pie doesn't play much, but he brings speed off the bench, outfield backup and has actually been hitting the ball pretty well in his limited at bats. HE IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE SOON.
As far as your continual bashing of AM, it is just not worth me typing a response. I believe some other poster here has said it before, what is your plan for the O's? You and your alter ego, Jack.
Roch- The Last time the O's won a WS? Did he fight in the War of Yankee Aggression under General Lee?
roch
will cla be available to the orioles on this upcoming road trip?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I believe tomorrow or Wednesday. - Roch
Meredith's ERA was 2.70 as late as June 17th. On June 25, he was hit for 3 runs in 2 innings of work. On July 5th, he was at 3.44. He was hit for 3 more ER on July 9th in just 1 inning.
Those 2 bad outings have been the reason his ERA is up over 4. He gave up 8 hits in those 2 outings, which really boosted his opponent's average, too. Other than that, the guy's been fairly good all year. A lot like Sherrill and Johnson.
It's not a great move, but it's decent. And it's certainly better than just losing Salazar.
That was a poor trade. They have plenty of so so relievers.... that guy is nothing special. If he had numbers like that in a PITCHERS park like SD, he'll fare far worse here. Salazar was a reliable hitter, they need those more than relieve fodder! They just LOVE that Pie don't they.... I'd take one Salazar on my bench over 10 Pies.... but Pie is AMs boy, Salazar wasn't. Salazar should have been given some chances at 3B. See how he did there. How does playing Mora 6 days a week help get any answers for the future? Mora is gone in 2+ months.
If they start dumping salary, that is what it will be, don't kid yourselves it's part of any plan... , I hope they get better return than this.
Hey Roch....does Brummie_Oriole always use the same email address when he posts a comment? I have a feeling that his name might be a copycat gone wild!!!
Andy must be losing it. First, he lets Juan Castro get away, and now Oscar Salazar! Oh, the humanity!
Brummie,
I have one question for you: What do you define as "improving the team"? Do you expect us to get better during the rest of this season because of MacPhail's moves or next year and down the road? I actually agree with you that winning is not a priority of this front office...this year. We're in last place and any reasonable evaluation has us staying in last place for the rest of the season. Neither Salazar, Pie, Mickolio or Meredith is going to fix that problem. If you take the long view though that Salazar is a 31 year old career minor leaguer who's having a good year versus Pie who could be a 4th OF for us for several years and then consider that Meredith is a young reliever who will come cheap for several more years, I think this was a pretty good trade. Is it going to win us the pennant next year? Of course not, but that wasn't the point. We turned a player we were going to release into a potential middle reliever for next year. Mickolio will probably be on next year's team too and will be seen again in August if we trade Baez or September if we don't. The key is to get as many players as possible that might be a part of the team over the next couple of years. Salazar wasn't one of those players, but Mickolio, Meredith and Pie could be. I'm actually very optimistic about next year's team and even more so about the team in 2011. Bickering over wins and losses this year though is pretty silly, since we aren't going anywhere. I'm more concerned with the stats that Bergesen, Jones, Reimold, Weiters, Hernandez and the minor league pitchers put up than with whether we actually win the games.
Roch,
No....I didn't expect the Orioles to get an All-Star for Salazar, but I'd like (for once) to see a trade with an American League team. I would have thought a lesson had been learned regarding National League (Steve Kline) relief pitchers. Their statistics don't translate well (Steve Reed) when facing American League hitters--especially the AL East.
If I were to play word association with "submarine", my response would be "wild pitch" or "walk"....any word or phrase that would denote a lack of control.
While Jason Berken's ERA isn't going to impress anyone, at least he keeps the ball around the plate. That's a whole lot more than can be said for Rich Hill (another National Leaguer who is surely to end up on the scrap heap).
If there's a team in baseball that needs a hitter...it's the lowly Padres. Salazar should be a good fit.
Jim Carter
How many people here think Salazar was actually going to continue hitting .400? His stock was as high as it was going to get. Folks, he's not Albert Puljos, he's a 31 year old career minor leaguer. There's a reason he's been with 8 different teams. Can you say "hands of stone"? What position would any of you suggest we start him at? Versatility is not being able to boot ground balls at 1st or 3rd base! Who would be comfortable with putting him in the field late in a close game, certainly not me. I can't believe the up roar over this trade, you would think we just traded Glen Davis.
The sheer stupidity and knee-jerk reactions of the comments yesterday left me stunned. If this is what 11 years of losing baseball has reduced many Orioles fans to, then that's the most depressing thing about it.
This is a non-impact swap. How people are dusting off "MacFail" and (amazingly somehow) blaming Trembley is completely inconceivable to me. I'm stunned at some of the comments and people freaking out over a 31 year old career minor leaguer who had no position on a losing team. It's depressing seeing fans act like that.
Regarding Kam - that sucks that he's getting sent down, but I reckon he'll be up when Baez gets traded. Tillman will replace Berken after another start or two. And all will be right with the world and people can stop freaking the eff out.
LOL!!! Andy himself called this guy a "poor man's Chad Bradford"!!! We just traded the best pinch hitter on the team (who was hitting over .400) for a "poor man's Chad Bradford". We traded Bradford for nothing to the Rays last year!!! Andy should have cut Pie loose, his stubborness on this topic has really hurt the team.
Roch,
What have you heard about the return player in a deal with the Angels for Sherrill? I don't see us getting Brandon Wood.
Do you think it might be time to try to move Robert Andino? I don't think his stock could get much higher, and with Davis back at Norfolk, this could be a good time for that.
What say you?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Haven't heard particulars on Sherrill, only that Angels have interest. Davis just started playing again. Might be too soon to bring him up to the majors. - Roch
Brummie_Oriole said:
He's wheeling and dealing just for the sake of it,
---------------------------------
Well, then I guess you should be pretty happy, since that's what you've been advocating for during the last two months.
I seem to recall a few "Get off the golf course and on the phones, ANDREW!" posts.
Anyone else think Dummie_Oriole wakes up every day, looks at himself in the mirror and says, "Oh, why, why won't the team I hate, the Orioles, hire me??"
"Andrew" has done some great things for the club, but Dummie just can't see it. He thinks an irrelevant trade like this is a sign that MacPhail needs to go...unreal. If Dummie would pull his head out of his overstuffed rear end, he would understand that Salazar was out of options and Meredith could provide some much needed help in the bullpen. Roch, delete Dummie from these comments board and leave the intelligence to us real fans who actually like our team.
"The Claw" is a villan from Inspector Gadget. lol
Hey Brummie...
It's always okay to have your own opinions and beliefs. Have you noticed, though, that very few others share your opinions (except for Jack...sheesh)? That most baseball insiders, who DO know more and are privy to info YOU don't have, disagree with your opinions? People seem to think that it's a wonderful thing to stick to their opinions, come hell or high water. But opinions supposed to be your beliefs based on the FACTS as are available to you. Twisting the facts to fit your opinions (so you don't have to change them) doesn't support your opinion. It turns those opinions into prejudices...the world has enough of those...no one needs yours...
Roch I think everyone liked Oscar, everyone but the guy who really mattered. Dave Trembley, had little or no use for him. The wrath and venom spewed here last night by supposedly intelligent fans should be sent in the direction of the manager who never really gave Oscar a chance.
Think about it. Oscar's "One Shining Moment" with the Orioles came against the Red Sox when he ignited the greatest comeback in Orioles history. Pinch-hitting for Melvin Mora, Oscar was 2-2 coming off the bench and hit a three run homer in the seventh to get things started.
Since that date, June 30th, Oscar has batted six times in a span covering 14 games. He had one at bat in a four game series against the Angels. He had one at bat in a three game series in Seattle. He had four at bats in the Toronto series last weekend in Baltimore, actually getting a start on Sunday and hitting a crucial homerun in a 4-2 win. This past weekend against the White Sox, Oscar dressed and sat, not appearing at all. One would think that with the return of Cesar Itzturis and a solid replacement, Robert Andino, Dave Trembley would have used Oscar more as a late game pinch hitter. Not to be. Someone made the comment here last night that he has been one of our best hitters against lefthanders. Miraculously, in those 14 games the Orioles faced nine lefthanders and I'll say it again recieved six at bats.
Basically, Oscar Salazar was rotting on the Orioles bench. I'll say it again OSCAR SALAZAR WAS ROTTING ON THE ORIOLES BENCH.
He did seem like a great guy and a true professional, being ready when rarely called upon. Personally, I wish him the best and hope he finally gets an opportunity to secure a role on a major league baseball team.
All in all, this trade was a win. We recieved a serviceable, young, experienced relief pitcher for a player who rarely saw the field and was about to be DFA'd had it not been for the brilliance of our General Manager.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actually, Trembley really likes Oscar and has talked him up since spring training 2008. It doesn't reflect in his playing time, but trust me, Trembley wanted Salazar's bat on the roster if they could have found a way to make it work. - Roch
WOW, many of you are truly idiots. Salazar was 31 and was not going to be anything more than a pinch hitter. We have enough 1b/of/dh types. Though Cla Meredith may not be great, he's atleast a major league pitcher, not a AAAA guy. He will add depth....and we gave up a player we were going to waive anyway...and if Meredith is terrible, then we cut him and we gave up nothing! Does anyone remember some of the bad AAAA relievers this team has had? Exactly, shut up and stop complaining about everything. Much of our future is still in the minors. We have come such a long way since the Marty Cordova days. All anyone does is complain. We're pretty set for the future at most of the offensive positions except 3B (Snyder will likely play 1B later next year) and the pitching will be here in the next year. I'm optimistic, but everyone else can be negative, that's fine....but when we do win, don't come out saying you knew it all along!
Why don't the Orioles wait on Sasno, and get Bryce Harpper?
I hate to interrupt the daily troll-feeding frenzy, but I have a question:
Roch, what do you see happening with Huff? He’s got some value, and as we’ve beaten to death he looks like he’ll be a Class A free agent. All he has to do is not get injured, hit 4 more homers and knock in 15 more runs and he equals his 2007 totals, which should keep him in place at the bottom of the Class A cutoff. And his second half numbers have traditionally been better (OPS+ 112 vs. 89).
BUT:
To get compensation picks, the O’s would have to offer Aubrey arbitration AND have him decline it, right? So the issue becomes, Is Aubrey Huff, who currently sports a 94 OPS+ at 1B, anywhere near the player we need at that position? Looking at the numbers of his peers in the division, you’d have to say a big NO. So do we offer arbitration and if he accepts just wait out another year while we groom his replacement? Do we offer and hope he doesn’t accept? Do we not offer it and get nothing? If the last, a trade makes more sense, although it would end up being a salary dump, most likely, and who plays first the rest of the year?
The other Aubrey at Norfolk has gotten off to a good start in the very small sample of 80 PAs, hitting .343 with a .945 OPS, but I haven’t heard a peep about him. Does anyone in the organization see him as a viable option? I don’t remember amarie being that high on him.
Wow, a lot of people sure are upset about this trade. Do I hear whispers of dissent towards the great Andy MacPhail?
I think it's safe to say Andrew missed the boat on this one. Welcome back to reality folks! Jack, KyleProBoller, a few others and I have been waiting for you all season.
Jim: I use simple straight forward facts to support my opinions. I do this because the average adult has the reading level of a 12 year old. If you'd like me to get into a discussion about Andrew's lack of post modern thinking over the last 6 months, let me know. Or how he tends to exert Machiavellian principles when addressing the media but in all reality, tends to act more like Captain Smith on the Titanic.
Here are two items where I use facts to shape my opinions, just like everyone else on here.
Fact: Mickolo is one of our best bullpen prospects
Fact: Our bullpen has struggled mightily at times this year.
Fact: Mickolo has pitched well up here.
Opinion: I think it would make sense to keep Mickolo up here.
Fact: Salazar was one of our best pinch hitters.
Fact: Salazar can play multiple positions ( even SS!)
Fact: Pie has not started a game since 30 June and has hardly seen the field since then.
Opinion: I think it would make sense based on those FACTS to try to have traded Pie instead.
Actually
The Claw" first turned up in "Get Smart" but somehow became "The Craw" in a mock Chinese voice.We could never get away with that kind of humor today.
Anyway maybe we can Cla our way back into contention. Or maybe not. Wouldn't surprise me is Salazar is back next spring.
I think what he means by a poor man's Chad Bradford is no ones ever heard of him, not that he stinks. He gives us a different look out of the pen which we do need plus a good lefty.
Jim Carter said:
"If I were to play word association with 'submarine', my response would be 'wild pitch' or 'walk'....any word or phrase that would denote a lack of control."
Over his career Cla Meredith has walked 2.4 batters per 9 innings. The 2009 AL average is 3.4. Koji (1.6) and Brad (2.2) are the only current Oriole pitchers who have done better. Another noted submariner, Chad Bradford, has a career mark of 2.4.
Checking our biases against the facts is always a good thing.
Zach,because people disagree with you, that does not make them idiots.
hey roch sense were talkin trades who do you think/hearing will be most likely to go ????
i wouldnt mind seeing Huff go if we get a decent return , and give Michael Aubrey a chance at 1st. rippin it up in aaa sense we got him from cleveland. I could also see Baez, maybe Wigginton, and Sherrill (Flat breezy) lol if mcphail gets blown away. thanks
Salazar will be nothing more than a pinch-hitter for the Padres. They have Adrian Gonzalez, Kyle Blanks, Chase Headley, and Kevin Kouzamoff to play 1B and 3B. Salazar's best position is DH, so he will get a maximum of 50ABs the rest of the season with San Diego. Then, this career minor-leaguer will never be heard from again in the big leagues. Some of you folks who post comments are seriously uninformed.
An independent analysis
http://bases.newsvine.com/_news/2009/07/20/3040805-the-padres-make-a-mildly-baffling-trade?category=sports
And the ESPY for the most unknowledgeable baseball fan goes to.........................Brummie/Jack!!!!!!!
It was a necessary trade and a smart one at that. Trembley almost always pulls our young starters out an inning too soon so as not to risk ruining their tender young developing arms/psyches (Whether he does it by choice or on orders from above is debatable, I admit). But between that and the insistence on using the designated 7th, 8th and 9th inning pitchers no matter how well the current pitcher is doing, the bullpen is on their usual pace to be burned out by August, setting up the annual late season swoon. So the O's could really use an additional reliever, especially one with an unusual armslot who has proven he can handle 70+ appearances per season.
Salazar's age and career to date have been beat to death here already, but there are a few more things to consider. If you had to make a choice, would you:
1. Trade Wigginton, a decent hitter who can adequately play multiple positions in order to make room for Salazar, who hits well off of the bench but hasn't proven that he can adequately play any position other than DH.
2. Trade Andino for a bag of balls and pray that Wiggington can play SS when Izturis needs a break or goes on the DL again.
3. Trade Pie for a bag of balls and use Scott as the backup OF, requiring the O's to play musical chairs with Jones and Markakis when either of them needs a break or gets hurt, since Luke can only (barely) play LF.
4. Trade Mora, more than likely at a loss since he can refuse a trade. The teams he would be willing to go to (a competitive team that's as close to his home in MD as possible) either don't need him, won't want to pay him what he's presently earning, or don't have/aren't willing to let go of any player of value to the O's for him.
5. Trade Huff, a good hitter (especially in the 2nd half) who can adequately play 1st and 3rd and replace him with Salazar, a defensive liability who hasn't been able to stay up in the bigs long enough to prove he can hit ML pitching as a everyday starter.
6. Trade Salazar for Meredith. ?
Too bad Baez and Huff suck this year. Who will want them in a trade?
MereDEATH is reincarnation of Turnbow, one good solid year then years of mediocrity. His stats have been in decline since 2006. His H/9 has increased, his ERA has shot up, his WHIP is as high as ever. What is likable about this one hit wonder pitcher? He's a submarine pitcher that leaves his pitches up in the zone. He gets shelled in a freaking pitchers ball park for god sakes, what's going to happen when he comes to the AL East which is all hitters, in a ball park that is average in both hitting and pitching? Sidney Ponson part deux here we come.
Brummie is either (A) a tool, or (B) comedy relief. It all depends on how you take him. I think he's funny now, because since the team is starting to do the things he DEMANDED that they do, he has to come up with even more ridiculous things to say to justify his ranting against our GM.
Thanks for bringing a smile to my day, tool.
Roch,
Lots of thoughts from everyone on this move. It only works for the Orioles if Meredith comes in and performs well for a long time. We complain about facing an unbelievable number of left-handers, yet Trembley doesn't get Salazar in for more at-bats (despite hitting over .500 against them)--Ray's point above. But this was not about a position player having to go to make room for Hernandez, not if 0.00 ERA Mickolio is going back to make room. We remain very thin on pinch-hitters; Pie and Andino are not ready. Andino proved invaluable during Izturis' injury, but it did expose Andino as mainly a "good field/weak hit" type who probably could be send down without losing him--Wigginton has shown he can be a solid back-up at shortstop. However, I am optimistic that the "claw" can pitch to an ERA under 4.00 for the rest of the year (of course, had AM just re-signed Cormier we'd have had that all year!). It is hard to believe we gave up our only current lifetime .300 hitter (and .321 as an Oriole)!
Roch- The Sherrill situation is 1 where I am glad that Macphail is patient. Reading the LA Paper websites, its almost like they are really coming down on the Angels for not getting it done no matter what.
Consistent lefties under team control for 2 more seasons are super rare, so I don't really see what the rush would be do deal him
I just hope they hold out and get someone to really penny up for him.
A couple reasons, mainly to set the bar for relief arms higher, getting teams like the Yankees and Sox to have to bleed prospects if they want to add an arm.
I wouldn't do anything unless we pull a top CI prospect, and another top arm. We NEED these veteran trades to reload some of the infield in the minors. We have done good drafting som talent for the OF. I just think its more important to get good infielders.
The defensive and offensive studs in the infield are very rare.
That is a big reason they HAVE to get Givens and Sano signed.
Brandon Wood has totally destroyed minor league pitching, and I really think could be a Glaus/Rolen type in the bigs given the oppurtunity.
He has hit 43!!! Through 130 games. 37 in a season. And has 17 through 70 games this year.
Cla Meredith's stats:
http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=7613&position=P
Like I said last night, good ground ball pitcher playing in front a of a porous defense.
This is not adding up. Supposedly we were going to HAVE to get rid of Salazar to make room for Hernandez. So we send Mikolio, who is doing pretty well instead and replace him with a "poor man's Chad Bradford"! I guess we are going to get the Arms Specialist that taught Plexiglass Burress how to handle a gun in exchange for him.
Meredith went to Meadowbrook H.S.
~~any idea where this kid went to high school? i'm his age and from richmond and i never heard of him. the big pitcher in my age group in little league was a guy named Verlander. I think he's doing pretty well...~~
a quick google shows Meadowbrook HIghSchool, played for former major leaguer Johnny Grubb, Central District PoY, second team all Met. lettered in 4 other sports.
http://vcurams.vcu.edu/ba/04bios/meredith.html
~~any idea where this kid went to high school? i'm his age and from richmond and i never heard of him. the big pitcher in my age group in little league was a guy named Verlander. I think he's doing pretty well...~~
a quick google shows Meadowbrook HIghSchool, played for former major leaguer Johnny Grubb, Central District PoY, second team all Met. lettered in 4 other sports.
http://vcurams.vcu.edu/ba/04bios/meredith.html
Kevin J. said:
This is such a miniscule move, now focus on moving Sherrill to the Angels for Brandon Wood
------------------------------------------------
Have you looked at Brandon Woods minor league career numbers? he strikes out once every 4 at bats. No way I deal Sherrill for a swing and miss machine, despite his power. Why do you think LA isn't using him on any real level? Last year in the bigs he had 150 at bats. He struck out 43 times while receiving only 4 walks and hitting .224. If the Orioles can't do better than that, keep Sherrill. Wood can not hit.