2010 O's: Let's Get It On
For those of you who are reading this blog simply because of the entry title...I like your style in music. Good to see Marvin Gaye fans in O's Nation.
That being said, I'm intrigued by what the Orioles have the potential to do in 2010. One thing is for sure, they do need to get something on in 2010. According to Andy MacPhail's blueprint, this is the year slated for results.
The 2009 rookies aren't rookies anymore. It's not about MLB debuts this year. It's not about rebuilding and focusing on the future. As MacPhail said himself, 2010 is about wins and losses.
Perhaps this isn't the year when the Orioles take the AL East, but progress in the standings come September would be a realistic goal. So is the first .500 finish or better in twelve years.
I wonder...would fans be happy with that goal? Or are fans not happy unless there is a post-season?
There are a couple of things I think will be crucial in deciding the success of the O's this year:
One is how does Trembley react now that he is asked to make the players more accountable? He said he'll bring down the "hammer" this year. I think more accountability across the board is a good thing, but I hope on Dave's part, it's done in a way that's not forced. Players aren't used to seeing him that way.
It's hard to get tougher on players when you haven't been that no-nonsense manager from day one. It's hard to be taken seriously when you switch managerial styles with players who've played under you for two years. Trembley's been a player development guy his whole career. That is why he was given the job as O's skipper two and a half years ago. This will be the first time he's asked to manage a truly veteran team.
The second key to success in 2010 will be how the sophomore class performs - especially the pitchers. Brad Bergesen found success in the short amount of time he pitched from the end of April to July. Can he duplicate that success through 162 games? Also, how do hitters adjust to Chris Tillman, Brian Matusz, and David Hernandez? Remember there is now a lot of tape out there on those players. Big league hitters will be more prepared for them. A lot is riding on these young pitchers.
Third, who's going to be the Orioles' big bat? The potential is there for a few players. I don't believe the Orioles have a 35-40 home run guy, but they do have a couple who could be in the 20-25 range. We'll see how Nolan Reimold comes back from Achilles heel surgery. We'll see if Adam Jones can play an entire year the way he did in the first part of 2009 when he earned an All-Star selection. Can Garrett Atkins return to his 2006-2007 form with the Rockies? Any of these guys could be the big bopper. The question is who? If it's nobody, the Orioles will be in trouble in the cleanup spot.
Lastly, many baseball insiders think this could be a big year for Matt Wieters. MLB insiders are predicting he'll hit 20-25 homers this year. Many feel his upside for power is more than any other rookie from 2009. I think the fact that he eased his way into the big leagues and started hitting better in the second half of the year shows he's not a guy who comes swinging out of the gate. He's patient, listens and learns. In my opinion, he'll be the most interesting player to watch, development wise, on the O's roster in 2010.
I'm looking forward to seeing the O's new spring training home in Sarasota. As always at this time of the year, the optimism runs high. I believe a lot of the pieces are in place, while some are still missing. It could be a year where we see a lot of change, and I believe that's what the fans have been waiting for.
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Categories (click for archive)Amber Theoharis | MASNblogs |
Amber,
I think a realistic goal in 2010 is 75 wins. You can't expect miracles from every young player that has great potential (Matusz, Tillman, Bergesen, Hernandez, Wieter, Reimold, etc.) this early in their careers. If the O's approach 75-81 wins, then 2010 will have to be deemed a HUGE success.
The team will not go from 98 losses to a playoff team with the simple additions of Millwood, Atkins and Gonzalez.
Regardless of standings, I think we all just want to see the O's youngsters continue to improve.
Andy MacPhail laid out a plan on day one and has stuck to it. The result so far has been a vastly improved pool of young talent.
We all look forward to the day when the O's can compete for a playoff spot, but realistically 2010 is not the year.
Enjoy Sarasota and keep up the good work!
Amber,
Great blog. Good points about Trembley needing to make the players work for their positions no matter who they are. I think the big guys will do their jobs and if they continue to lead like they are we can have a good season.
I am not sure Matt W. is ready for producing the big numbers yet but he proved some last season that he will be able to, but I would be happy to be proven wrong because he has a lot of talent. Honestly though I think the hitting will prove to be another formidible offense and if the Orioles can build a pitching staff, things will progress much better. I am hoping a .500 season is closer this year and I look forward to it starting.
Thanks for a great blog and hope to see you at the FanFest. By the way, why no Twitter account Amber?! ;)
Hello Amber. Eh...Marvin Gaye's alright I suppose. Dave Trembley has a bit of a task ahead of him, and as you said it just might take some further discipline in order for the O's to get done what they need to do. My elementary school principal used to say that discipline was knowing what you have to do, and doing it. Hopefully our players are mature enough to know that without being told. A lot of people have spoken of a big bat...I personally believe that we already have big bats: Jones, Markakis, and even Reimold and Wieters. Sure those guys might not equal the kind of production of which you're speaking, but of those four Markakis was the only one that played a full season last year. (By that I mean that Jones and Reimold were injured at the end, and Wieters and Reimold started the year in the minors...who knows what their production will be given a full year?) Incidentally, "I heard it through the grapevine" that the O's were interested in Joe Crede. Personally I've always liked Crede, and I think he'd be a solid fit for the Orioles. I would suspect that if Crede comes here either Wiggy or Scott would be traded for prospects or draft choices, but that might not be a bad thing (as much as I like both of those guys). My personal prediction is that the Orioles win one million to nothing each game!...but more realistically, I think that this year if they can be around the .500 mark (+/-10 games or so), I think 2010 would be judged a success. Time will tell I guess.
Miggy is back, That is good news...bring back Bedard and we could have some fun this summer. In the line-up I guess Miggy will hit in the 6 slot behind Weiters, No matter - I think Miggy will be a great re-addition for the O's. I have been an Orioles fan since they became the O's in 1954 and I have like most from Baltimore have been around for the good and not so good times. I think we will still be an under 500 ball club this year with alot of wrinkles to iron out and not all of the arms on the staff will make it thru the year healthy (sorry to say, alot of them have never pitched a complete season in the bigs. But someday I hope my three sons will have a chance to see the Orioles back in the playoffs and again someday win another world series. Go O's and keep up the good work I know alot of us appreciate the job you do coving the Orioles and the Ravens. Lots of love from downy ocean Hon!
After finishing last in 1988, the Orioles--with less talent--finished 2nd the following year. That "Why Not" 1989 team surprised everyone with a great combination of veterans and youngsters. This is the year for great strides, and with hope, a run at the wild card. Then, in 2011, a real championship run. Here's to good health and great depth!
I would say that getting to .500 would be great. We all have such low expectations for the Orioles due to all the losing since 1984. To have a team that is watchable would be great. This team and the potential is exciting. I can not wait to see how all these young guys play this year. With the addition of Millwood and Tejada it should help out the young guys this year. Our starting pitching with Tillman, Burgy and Matuz should be fun to watch. Last years Opening day starters were tough to watch. This year should be fun to see the growth in production and win total. Just hope we can get to enjoy BB in Baltimore as much as we can enjoy Football and the Ravens.
I feel like a success would be over .500 for the season with development of the young pitching staff.
...but wins and losses only tell half the story.
If either Millwood/Guthrie get 18 wins, or guys like Tejada and/or Atkins driving in 100+ runs, while being nice, wouldn't show club development, and would not be helpful to the organization as a whole.
I would think seeing Matuz, Tillman, and Hernandez each with 10+ wins and a sub 4.00 would be good things. Nolan Reimold hitting .280 with 25 HR's would be a good sign. Continuing development for Adam Jones and Markakis... each hitting .310+ and 20+ HR's.
It may be a lot to ask, and certainly most of the young talent is still just that, young talent, but each of these guys could easily surpass those numbers if they play to their ability.
Good blog.
This year is all about our young pitchers. Can we get a good outing from these guys consistenly.
I'd like to see Jones take the approach at the plate he had early in ther year where he was taking more pitches, and waiting for a meatball.
Wieters will be right around the 20 homer mark I'm guessing. Markakis needs to step up and be a captain of the team.
Roberts should steal every oppurtunity he gets, all year please!
Trembly don't be afraid to be aggressive on the base paths. We're not the yankees, we can't get singles and wait around for the long ball. Play small ball and steal!
Amber you should take over for Anita on the Radio. It would be awesome to hear you everyday coming home from work.
Amber,
We appreciate your blog.
Remember Terry Matthew? Maybe before your time. The Oriole fans would boo him when got up to warm up. The boos were deafening when he came into the game. And the boos went off of the scale when he immediately got rocked and was pulled from the game.
Hargrove kept trotting him out there and said the fans were being unfair. The fans hurt his feelings. Games were lost and Hargrove went west looking for a another job. Trembley beware.
This is baseball. The bottom line is to win. These guys make a ton of money to soothe their feelings. If they do not produce as men they must go and take it like a man (or woman). From the locker room guy to AM.
"There is no crying in baseball."
Don't you love that quote?
Great Blog Amber,
I dont think fans car about the number of wins but we just want September to be meaningful. They do not have to make postseason but just have a shot at it in September. When Andy took the job, he said 3-4 years so we are about that that point. I sure hope the players are more accountable this year. I believe that was some of the fans issues were last year. No excuses from Trembly this year for his players.
I would LOVE a .500-plus year!
Forget the wild card--I don't think my heart could handle that much in one year. To follow a winning Baltimore baseball team and then to have them lose in the post-season... I'll take these things one at a time.
I agree with you that the Orioles have potential for the 2010 season. I am glad that Miggy is back. I also like the addition of Josh Bell and some of the other players that were acquired. I would like to see them use the talent that they have and the Orioles have talent, to be more consistent. I have always been an Orioles fan and I will whether they have a winning season or not. I am hoping for the BEST!!