Pondering Questions
Some O's questions to ponder while marveling and wondering why Mariano Rivera is just about the only closer out there not yet to melt down in the post-season:
Could the Josh Bell era at third begin as soon as Opening Day 2010?
Bell finished the year with nine homers in 33 games at Bowie and is 8 for 15 with 5 RBI in his first four games in the Arizona Fall League.
Bell is even getting hits batting right handed in the AFL, going 3 for 5 there so far. During the 2009 season, between Bowie and Chatanooga, he hit just .193 with only one homer in 135 at bats from the right side.
Can Adam Jones become a leader of the 2010 Orioles?
He can, but to me Jones became a little withdrawn as the 2009 season went on. At times, he was not very accommodating to local reporters who experienced just the opposite the previous year with Jones.
Some would say 'who cares how Jones dealt with the media.' But his radical change from the outgoing, accommodating Jones of 2008 throws up a red flag for me.
As the O's look for lefties in their bullpen in 2010, how come Alberto Castillo doesn't get mentioned very much?
Well, he should. After pitching to an ERA of 2.77 in 50 Norfolk games, he went 2.25 in 20 O's games over 12 innings in June and September. Lefties hit just .164 off him in Triple-A and .269 in the Majors.
He at least deserves a shot to come to camp and win a job.
How much improvement can Matt Wieters make next year?
I could see him hitting around .280 to .300 with say 25 homers and 90 RBI.
The O's should get credit for how they handled Wieters and the young man should get credit for dealing with more hype than anyone should ever have to deal with.
Wieters learned all about the physical demands of playing almost every day in the Majors. Plus, he should return with his confidence at a real high after his big finish.
Who is a minor league player that went "under the radar" this year?
One that may top this list is RHP Luis Lebron. The hard-throwing righty reliever went 2-3, 3.00 with 11 saves at Frederick. Then went 1-0, 1.98 and saved nine of ten games with Bowie. In 60 combined innings he gave up just 28 hits with 33 walks and 91 strikeouts.
I've heard Lebron was back throwing mid 90s this year. Control has always been an issue but if he can command that heater, he may have a shot to make the O's this year or next.
Feel free to respond with your answers to one or all of the questions.
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Categories (click for archive)Orioles News | Steve Melewski |
Steve
How much improvement can Tillman and Matusz make next year? What would you consider a solid 2010 season from them ? 10 wins and 180 innings?
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I don't see why that pair could not pitch to an ERA of say, 4.25 or under for both. As for the win total, harder to predict, but how about 12 to 15. As for the innings, you are probably right on with 180 a good number to shoot for.
Steve
As far as Bell goes. It is a big difference playing and hitting in the majors, than in the fall league and minors. Biggest difference is playing and hitting in the AL East. I am not sold that Bell is the answer to play 3rd on the big league team. Now or ever. But, I hope he does impress since we gave up Sherrill to get him.
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Sure it's a big jump to the Majors. Markakis made it, so did Jones, Roberts, and now Reimold and Wieters. Why not Bell. What are you not sold on? He was just ranked 10th best prospect in the Southern Lg and even his defense has gotten praise recently. - Steve
I was surprised to see what you wrote about Adam Jones. I hadnt heard anything along those lines. He seems like he loves being an O. I hope his attitude is back to where it was.
I dont have the exact quote, but Ill never forget when Jones was being interviewed during an Os Yanks series, he said, "I just want to crush their hopes and dreams." Loved it.
Do you remember that?
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I don't remember that exact quote. I will say some media types suggested that Adam became a litlte as I said "withdrawn" this year because he hates to lose so much. If that's true fine, just remember the local media didn't make them lose.
Steve
It seems as if Felix Pie is a better center fielder than Jones, finally is demonstrating he can hit in the majors, and seems to have a high level of enthusiasm. If you are concerned about Adam Jones, is it his attitude?
I don't want to trade pitching, but the Orioles are overloaded in the outfield and need to trade for a power hitting first baseman. It would take a bold move to trade Jones, but it could be the right one.
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I'm not saying he had a poor attitude. Just that he seemed at times, a little "withdrawn" compared to the previous year when he was quite out going. I don't advocate trading him and I still feel he's better in center than Pie. He could use some improvement in his throwing accuracy. - Steve
SHERNORIOLES, You say you are not sold on Bell's defense....Based on what? He was voted the best defensive thirdbaseman in the Southern League. Have you ever seen a minor league infield the day after a night game or worse yet after some on field promotion that is the staple of minor league baseball. Believe me it is far easier to play in the bigs under good lighting on beautiful infields that are maintained by major league ground crews. The only question on Bell is how good a hitter will he become. All questions on this kid are about contact rates and the ability to handle the mental aspects of the big leagues. Worst case scenario this kid will be Melvin Mora wearing a much bigger uniform..best case the sky is the limit....
If we open up the wallet how do we get anyone anyone to sign with a club that had the worst record in the A.L. this year. I just do not think we will over pay for anyone which is what we will have to do to get any proven talent. As I see it we will be horrible again next year unless we make some trades. The only way to get a proven talent here is by making a trade for a player that does not have a no trade claus. No one else in their right mind would go to a last place team playing the Yankees, Red sox and Rays a total of 57 times a year. We could not get Mark last year even though he said it would be "HIS DREAM COME TRUE to play for the Orioles". I know a lot of Orioles fans hate him for going to the Yankees and leading us fans on but come one. He got paid to play for a team that makes the playoffs every year and will spend money to get the best players every year. He also got payed more to play on a winning team. That is a no brainer. Look at him he is having the time of his life in NY getting ready to go to the World Series. If he would have chosen B-More he would have endured what we watched all year. The worst team in the A.L. Stop BOOing the guy. HE wants to WIN that is why he went to N.Y. Can't blame the guy. I have played competivite sports my whole life and it is no fun losing all the time every year.
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It's not all about signing the biggest name or putting major dollars into it. You saw how Tampa got better and beat the Yankees last year didn't you.
Just keep pumping young talent into the system, that's the only way. When you have an over abundance of it, you can make trades to fill holes. Young pitching is coveted by every team, so if you have more than most, you'll get better.
Don't you think the improvement of the young guys, who will all be here on opening day 2010, will make the team better in itself ??? Steve
I know he is still very young, and just made the jump from AA to the majors, but--personally, I would be disappointed if Matusz isn't under 4 next year. The guy has great pitches, he twisted some very good hitters around last year, he just needs consistency. I know it's a big "just," but I was really impressed with his apparent maturity. He and Bergesen could be the anchors of this staff next year. If Guthrie and Tillman can be reasonably consistent as well, it is possible that we could actually have a decent to good starting rotation.
Of course, you're right, they will have to face the other East teams a lot, and there are some very good hitting teams in this division that will lower almost anyone's ERA.
I think the O's should use the Weiters approach with Bell. A few spring games, then off to Norfolk for 6-8 weeks and if he hits well there, he comes to Baltimore and starts and plays every day.
Steve,
Great post. Keep Bell in Norfolk - for at least half of 2010. We're not expecting playoffs in 2010 so let him adjust to a higher level and perform well and then get his feet wet at major league level for a few months so he's ready for the O's run in 2011. I'd rather see prospects spend a little extra time in the minors than be rushed.
McPhail needs to find more power from the free agent field - whether he does it on 2010 or 2011.
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Bell's progress in 2010 will be most interesting to track. Does ne need a month at AAA, a half season, a full season or no time at all there. And what do the O's do to hold down the fort there until he is ready. Some big questions to be answered.
Steve
Lefty: I didn't say anything about Bell's defense. I am more concerned about his hitting and power numbers in the big leagues. Especially, in our division. He will be playing 3rd base. A power position. In a division, while competing against other 3rd basemen like an Arod, Longoria, and Youkalis. We have not had a typical 3rd baseman, since maybe Ripken retired, if then. Whether he plays in 2010 or 2011. The O's still need that big bopper in the middle of the line up. As far as Jones being that vocal leader. He needs to play better and have better numbers than he did after the All Star break. Most of all, he needs to stay in the line up and stay healthy. It is a lot easier to be a leader, playing with the team, than sitting on the bench, hurt. I think Wieters, could be that leader, more so than Jones.
Can Adam Jones be this teams leader?
Sure he can. This team doesnt have one, that role is up for the taking. The question is, does he want it?
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He has stated several times he would be interested in an increased leadership role in the clubhouse. - Steve
Adam Jones has everything we need in a center fielder and as he is here longer, I am confident he will develop into a leader. I haven't heard anything bad about his attitude; only that he loves to learn and plays hard. If he was "withdrawn," I'm sure it was because he had a prolonged slump and nothing to do with his attitude. And, withdrawn, is a lot different than having a bad attitude or a poor work ethic.
It seems clear that the O's have a ton of pitching talent in the system. But if the team trades some of that away for a power-hitting first baseman (i.e., Prince Fielder or Adrian Gonzalez), which of the pitchers should the team prioritize as keepers & which should the team deem tradable? I'd hate for the team to trade away the wrong package & find out that one they sent away was Curt Schilling Part II.
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You have to understand, to get the players you mentioned, the club would have to part with some or several of its best pitchers, like Tillman, Matusz, Arrieta, Bergesen. Not all, but maybe two of that group. I don't want that to happen and MacPhail has said he won't trade the top pitching prospects. - Steve
Steve,
Do you know what the team's plan for Patton is? Will he most likely start at Triple-A with a possible early or mid-season call-up depending on how he fares there?
I personally feel like he could be a surprise fifth starter, giving the rotation some balance (2 Lefties, 3 Righties), especially is Arrieta has to be moved to the bullpen to be a closer.
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First, I would guess they want to see how he is physically and how he is throwing come March. If everything is fine and it is expected to be, he could push for a spot on opening day or go to AAA and be ready at some point during the season to enter the rotation. If Arrieta and Patton start at AAA it will be nice to have that kind of talent waiting in the wings, so to speak. - Steve