Early observations from FanFest
That was quite the long line wrapping around the Baltimore Convention Center this morning as I arrived here at 9:30 a.m. Hello right back to everyone who shouted out my name.
And please, no "Mr. Kubatko." Call me "Roch."
Season-ticket holders were allowed early entrance for the Andy MacPhail/Dave Trembley forum, which began with a moment of silence for Curt Motton.
MacPhail indicated again that the Orioles should sign a player within the next week. Then he mentioned the likelihood of increasing the "inventory" of left-handed pitching, so a corner infielder should be the next order of business, followed by a new arm.
The Miguel Tejada buzz is getting louder by the hour.
I'm waiting to hear whether any fans grab the microphone and voice their complaints to MacPhail, but the first four questions have centered on Luke Scott's new contract, Rhyne Hughes, how the Orioles go about scouting a player and the club's opinion of Carlos Delgado and Jim Thome.
MacPhail called Scott "the streakiest hitter I've ever been around in my entire life." He referred to Hughes as a "late-bloomer" and a "prospect" who possesses "tremendous power," and the first baseman has been asked about taking fly balls in left field at some point.
One scout in the organization considers Hughes an everyday player in the majors, but MacPhail also noted that the former Tampa Bay Ray strikes out too much and will have to improve in that department.
Trembley said he expects the Opening Day third baseman to be an offensive guy, whether it's Garrett Atkins or another newcomer.
Just an FYI: I'm pressed for time and can't respond to questions today. I'll approve as many comments as I can.
 |
Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
Is Andy on truth serum or something? The guy is on a roll!
As for Scott, well Andy, you were the one who brought him here, so YOU deal with the mess Scott makes every year!!!
And of course the season ticket holders aren't going to complain. This is an organisation that ejects fans from the stadium who boo too loudly. What do you think they'd do if someone dared to speak out against Andy MacGabe?
Anyways, I hope everyone has a nice day at fanfest. Wish I was there, but duty calls.
Brummie,
I am 25 years old and a season ticket holder with the Orioles. If you had been at the forum you would have noticed that season ticket holders asked a lot more about things then you could have imagined. I was actually quite suprised by how articulate some of the questions were. Fans were very interested in the lack of fundamentals and base running errors. Stop jumping to conclusions. You are not the smartest man in the world let alone your own room.
And I bought season tickets because the Orioles are my favorite team no matter what. I know things aren't as good as I would like, but you can't go from basement to ceiling in one day. I at least can look at the FO and say they are doing things that I like. I like the signing of Tejada for a year, and I like the signing of Atkins for one year. You sir don't know anything about what you try and talk about. It would help you to actually research your opinions first then spew it onto the masses. But, now you just insult people for no reason and without basis.