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Here is my take on the lineup.

1. Roberts
2. Tejeda
3. Markasis
4. Wieters
5. Jones
6. Reimold
7. Scott
8. Atkins
9. Izturis

Roch, the second lineup you listed is the exact lineup I shared with freinds over the weekend:

Brian Roberts 2B
Miguel Tejada 3B
Nick Markakis RF
Adam Jones CF
Luke Scott DH
Nolan Reimold LF
Matt Wieters C
Garrett Atkins 1B
Cesar Izturis SS

It is far from perfect, as the team really doesn't have a #4 hitter, but it seems to be the best option at this point. If Wieters develops as we hope, he could be the 4 guy eventually, but that is too much to ask at this point. I fear that Tembley will try to force Atkins into the 4 hole, but he just doesn't get on base enough.

I predict... you will see Atkins 7th or 8th by mid May & Wieters higher.

I'm a bit surprised about Jones possibly giving up #10 to Tejada. Although Tejada has had a great career, I don't think he is a HOF. Also, Jones may be an Oriole for years to come and I consider him to be one of our "faces of the franchise". I don't understand why he would even be asked to give up his number? What is the reasoning?

That Schmuck, quite a funny guy Roch... he actually said this...

"His arrival certainly alters the chemistry of the offensive attack"

Chemistry?

I literally laughed out loud... he is too good of a wordsmith for that to be innocent.

I think Atkins will be much lower - unless he's absolutely crushing the ball in ST - I think DT and AM would want to give him every opportunity to get off to a good start.

Brian Roberts 2B
Nick Markakis RF
Adam Jones CF
Matt Wieters C
Miguel Tejada 3B
Nolan Reimold LF
Luke Scott DH
Garrett Atkins 1B
Cesar Izturis SS

In this lineup, Tejada (as a .300 hitter) provides adequate protection for Wieters to see better pitches - which is something that will never happen so long as Wieters continues to bat sixth or below. Also, think about building a championship roster (i.e., where would Markakis bat if - heaven forbid - he played for Boston or New York). I think the answer would be second.

If Tejada does get #10 back, there will be a lot of impoverished kids in third world countries running around in "2110 Eutaw Street" t-shirts...

Miggy hits into too many double plays to bat second. By midseason hopefully it will look like this:

Brian Roberts 2B
Adam Jones CF
Nick Markakis RF
Matt Wieters C
Nolan Reimold LF
Miguel Tejada 3B
Luke Scott DH
Garrett Atkins 1B
Cesar Izturis SS

Wieters 8th? That makes me cry. I go:

Roberts
Tejada
Markakis
Wieters
Jones
Scott
Reimold
Atkins
Izturis

I know 4th is probably really bold for a player with less than a full year under his belt, but let's face it: Wieters is the future. He handled his bat great in the latter part of the season last year, and with three guys that are ALWAYS going to be on base in front of him then I want nobody else there. That's not true, I want Luke Scott there when he's having one of those months where he inexplicably hits .450. But I also want our manager to have the sense to demote Luke to the latter third of the lineup as soon as his bat turns to ice.

I think its gotta be Wieters. The top 3 is going to all be in the Top 10 in doubles, so why not have your young stud driving them in? In my opinion, I don't see any other option as good as him.

I like your second lineup much better. I don't think Atkins, with the struggles he has had in the past couple years, will be hitting the cover off the ball early in the year, especially against the quality pitching in AL East. He will bat pretty low in the lineup and move up eventually.

I think Reimold will bat ahead of Scott, just for consistent power purposes. But again, there are many possibilities for this lineup because all have potential to have great years. Let's just hope that Roberts isn't the only one who remembers how to consistently hit the ball throughout the season this year.

I was battling with the same lineup issues as you Roch. Who do you bat 8th? But like you said someone has too and if its Wieters (which I doubt) its nice to know that he will probably be the best #8 hitter in baseball. That guy is going to have a great year, I can feel it by the way he finished up last season. But whereever anyone bats in this lineup, its certainly one that will be pretty nasty to face, especially if they all live up to their potential. This team is much improved and I love having Miggy hitting #2 behind Roberts. He does hit into a lot of DP's but with Roberts more times then not starting out on 2nd anyway, it won't matter. Looking forward to an improved 2010.

The second one you posted is what I envisioned after hearin about the Tejada trade. I like Tejada second with the number of DPs he grounds into. Roberts can run more and more hit and runs etc. Later in the year I think we will see Wieters move up.

Adam should keep his number - especially if Tejada's only gonna be here for a year (or hopefully less - count me among those who are not excited to see him come back). And I'm sure the O's would want it that way too - otherwise, their whole "2110 Eutaw Street" promotion would be shot...

Roch,

My question to you is... how did you know your admirer was 26 years old?

Did she say "I'm 26 and I lust after you"?

or did you have to work to get some extra info out of her...

you sly dog ;)
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I used to guess ages and weights at carnivals. OK, really, she told me. - Roch

Brummie_Oriole said:
So you are a math teacher Mastercheffy? LOL

Let me teach you a nice little equation some us learned a long time ago.

Andy MacPhail + increased revenue - win totals - proper communication + increased ticket prices = BUDGET BASEBALL

Long time ago huh Brummie? See I knew you were a Cub fan. Go root for your Cubs and get the heck out of Roch's blog. Just a kid with a computer. Never showed up to meet me at the Orioles game last year and no picture of you in Berlin either. Nestor lackey!

fansince54 -

yeah, i know he lead the NL in singles. And 199 hits is pretty good, I will grant you. For a lead-off guy who plays 2b. Or a speedy outfielder with 30+ steals. Or a pesky #2 hitter with high on-base average who is great at moving runners over.

Most teams put run producing bats, with power, at 3B. I believe that Tejada's lack of speed, lack of power, propensity for hitting into double plays, and low walk totals are more important measures of his worth to us as a hitter at 3B. I believe that, particularly for a 3B with no speed, the OPS measure is very important. I stand by my statement - hitting, fielding, PR, clubhouse, leadership and character are all minuses of this guy.

PV - I suppose I am still in the camp of thinking that Andy MacPhail is a net positive for improving the team. It just hurt to see him display a lack of appreciation for some of the main principles of the Oriole Way. Maybe it was, indeed, Camelot, and can never be duplicated anyway.

Roch and others posting lineups - the reason the lineup is hard to construct is that we have no true #2, #3, #4, or #5 hitter yet. Markakis has looked very good for long periods of time in the #3 spot. But he has struggled there, as well. Jones needs to really fit there and Atkins would have to have a monster comeback year to get back there. Wieters is maybe a couple of years away from a true #4. This is the bat we did not go out and get. I am not saying all the hitters are bad. I am saying we don't yet have the prototypical #2, #3, #4 or #5 hitters. So it won't matter so much who is put where.

Given who we have, I think Roch's first lineup above is the best, although I would consider switching Wieters and Reimold so that Wieters would not clog up the bases too much if he leads off an inning with a single.

Roch,
There are rumors flying around that Adam Jones is willing to part with his number for a Rolex. I also heard a rumor last night that Adam Jones gave Miguel Tejada his number (#10)back. Adam Jones according to the rumor will be wearing (#18) this year.

I think Atkins will be much lower - unless he's absolutely crushing the ball in ST - I think DT and AM would want to give him every opportunity to get off to a good start.

Roch,

Are the rumors true that you are replacing Anita Marks on THE FAN ?
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Is that really a rumor? No truth to it. - Roch

2010 season

Brian Roberts 2B
Miguel Tejada 3B
Nick Markakis RF
Adam Jones CF
Matt Wieters C
Nolan Reimold LF
Garrett Atkins 1B
Luke Scott DH
Cesar Izturis SS

Felix Pie
Michael Aubrey
Chad Moeller
Ty Wigginton
(Tejada could back up Izturis)

Millwood
Guthrie
Bergesen
Matusz
Tillman

Gonzlaez
Johnson
Mickoilo
Uehara
Meredith
Hendrickson
Berken or Albers

Roch,

I already see some folks who are stressing over Garrett Atkins playing first base. Somewhere I saw a remark that implied he couldn't even find first base.

Here are a few facts to chew on:

Atkins has a .990 fielding percentage as a major league first baseman over the course of 5 seasons. He sported a .993 fielding percentage over 5 seasons as a minor league first basemen. Also; he played first base for two seasons at UCLA. I come away from this thinking that Atkins at first is a non-issue.

Other fans are still worried about a lack of power in the lineup. Here's some homer trivia. Excluding Izturis, Roberts and Wieters...everyone in the projected lineup has hit 23 or more homers in a season at some point as a professional (minors included). Much to my surprise...Wieters career high for dingers is 15...the lowest among starters aside from Izturis. Again....power shouldn't be such a focal point.

My concern is (and always has been) the pitching staff. I'd like to know if there's an option besides Bedard....or....will the Orioles just go with what they have if Erik go elsewhere?

Jim Carter
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Don't know for sure, but I'm starting to think they'll stick with what they have and just focus on the 'pen. - Roch

How is miggy a 2 hitter? you aren't the only one I've heard suggest this so I'm not picking on you, but the guy hits into more DPs than Cal Ripken Jr. and he bunts at about the same level. Is the thinking that B-rob is just gonna steal 2nd every time he gets on base? What is the logic behind a guy who hits into a ton of DPs hitting in the 2 hole?

Miggy seems more like a 5-7 hitter at this point in his career. I would rather see something like this:

Brob
Jones
Markakis
Atkins
Tejada
Reimold
Wieters
Scott
Izturis
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Roberts also hits a ton of doubles. First base will be open a lot. And Tejada is more of a singles and doubles hitter now. It's just one suggestion. - Roch

Scott and Atkins should be a LOT lower. But they are Andy's boys, so Nolan will get the cruddy lineup spot.
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Yeah, that must be the reason, since MacPhail makes out the lineup card. - Roch

Roch,
Would you consider batting Tejada 4th or 5th because he is still so good at driving in runs? I know he doesn't have the power that he used to but his BA was still great with runners in scoring position. Then Jones could hit 2nd. Jones really thrived in the 2 hole last year.
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That's a possibility. - Roch

The clean up spot will put a lot of pressure on the player put in that position. Adams Jones second half last year shows me he is not yet ready to take on the role of power hitter. Luke Scott also had a disappointing second half and his streaky hitting is due to him putting too much pressure on himself. Garrett Atkins is not a natural power hitter but a line drive hitter. Last year was a result, at least in part, of Atkins trying to be a power hitter. Matt Wieters needs another half of year to settle in to the majors. The best player for clean up on the Orioles I think is Nolan Reimold. Last year he showed maturity beyond his years. I feel of all the Orioles he is the best suited to resist the pressure to be the typical big basher that everyone wants batting clean up.

Some other points.

Moving Miggy to third is not without risk. People have noted that Cal did it as an example that it can be done. They neglect to note (or remember) that Cal started his career at third so he already knew a lot about the position. ARod moved from SS to third also but he did it much earlier in his career than Miggy is being asked to and ARod is just a better fielder than Miggy ever was.

Matt Wieters will likely catch less than 140 games this year. If as it has been proposed he will DH on some of his off days that puts the Orioles at risk of losing the DH later in the game if his catching replacement needs to leave the game. Unless of course the Orioles carry three catchers.

Hi Roch (knew I'd post in the wrong post) -

Really nice meeting you at Fan Fest. Good to chat with you in person for a sec. CJ enjoyed it as well. Now if someone can just explain why we signed Tejada....

- Chris

PS - So when does Roch the Yard night happen? The 7 week old NEEDS to know. Granted, he hasn't said anything, but his expression, those forlorn, searching eyes....
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Ha! Yeah, I noticed that, too. I hope we can make it happen this summer. And it was great meeting you and your family at FanFest. Wish we had more time to talk, but they wanted to keep the line moving. - Roch

I don't know Roch, I think the only bad call was the pass interference. The 4th down spot seemed right to me with forward progress and I never saw an angle where the ball in the Meacham catch definitively hit the ground.

As for a new line-up, I like:
Roberts 2B
Jones CF
Markakis RF
Tejada 3B
Weiters C
Reimold LF
Scott DH
Atkins 1B
Izturis SS

I think Atkins bats this low until he proves last year was a fluke and we should start Tejada with his RBI instincts at clean-up until Reimold, Jones or Weiters force their way into that spot.

We have the flexibility to shop Scott & Guthre for an upper level SS prospect to take over next year when Izturis' contract expires.
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The runner started losing the ball on the fourth down play. It was slipping out of his grasp, so he never got it past the marker. And the ball was still moving in Meachem's arms as he came down, and it touched the turf. Everyone in the room was positive it would be overturned. - Roch

Hey Roch,

It looks like you have the top 3 tagged and I agree 100%. But was it me or did Wieters stats increase when he being protected in the line up? He could end up being our best hitter and think he deserves a little love, but he is young and I guess he will start out in the 8th hole. I just hope he does'nt because it would be nice to see him get off to a hot start.

Roberts 2b
Tejada 3b
Markakis RF
Weiters C
Jones CF
Reimold LF
Scott DH
Atkins 1b
Izturis SS

I would flip flop 5-8 base on who's hot, but Weiters has potential to be a perennial All-Star and we should hopefully treat him like that.

I would also prefer to see Pie play over Scott because Pie could end up being are 2nd best Outfielder.

It's stat time again folks.

As always, these are real stats that the front office won't be boasting about anytime soon.

61 The number of double plays Miggy has grounded into the last 2 years. I am pretty sure this leads the majors. And to think that was in 4A NL ball. I can't wait to see how many rallies this guy kills against the Sox and Yanks.

1 The number of convicted criminals on a federal level the O's now have on their roster. How should I explain this to my nephew and eventually my son? Is it OK to lie to Congress? Is it OK to mislead federal investigators? Is it OK to take Roids?

Do people realise that if Miggy gets in trouble with the law anytime soon, his sentence could be enforced?

Funny how no one else is touching Miggy's conviction with a 10 foot pole.

Boy Andy just did a great job for O's PR.

Whichever way you stack it, it's a pretty potent lineup should everyone play up to potential....a much more exciting prospect than years past, with a bit of depth as well. Here is to hoping those young arms develop as expected, the new acquisitions prove fruitful and the young budding stars continue to progress. I will remain optimistic.

Scott and Atkins should be a LOT lower. But they are Andy's boys, so Nolan will get the cruddy lineup spot
Brummie that was the dumbest thing you've said yet. I like this O's team. Depth at the big league level and depth at AAA.

Hey Roch, why not have Reimold or Jones hit second? With Roberts on base, and pitchers trying to avoid giving up the SB, second or third, they will be seeing alot more fastballs. I was thinking of this for a lineup:
Roberts
Reimold (or Jones)
Markakis
Tejada
Jones (or Reimold)
Scott
Atkins
Weiters
Izturis

Atkins cleanup..no way! Wieters batting low in the lineup..no way! And keep Adam Jones out of the cleanup spot. He hits better when he isn't trying to be a home run hitter. I'd go with this as a possible lineup:

Roberts
Jones
Markakis
Wieters
Reimold
Tejada
Scott
Atkins
Izturis

The flip flopping of Jones and Markakis in the lineup also has to stop. I might change the 6-8 batters, but I'd stick with the 1-5. If Pie is in the lineup, of course some changes might be necessary, or bat him in the spot of the player he's replacing in the lineup.

Roch, the best lineup to start the season should be this:

Roberts
Reimold
Markakis
Scott
Jones
Wieters
Tejada
Atkins
Izturis

Roberts and Izturis are givens at #1 and #9.

Reimold should hit #2 because of his ability to get on base and hit for average.

Trembley is going to make Markakis the #3 hitter no matter what even though the stats show he is better at the #2 slot.

Neither Jones (because we don't need him swinging for the fences to start) nor Atkins (sub .700 OPS last season) should hit in the cleanup spot.

Luke Scott should hit cleanup to start the season because as an Oriole, he's been a major power threat in the first half before tailing off. Jones, Wieters or Reimold can move to the cleanup spot if/when that happens depending on which one has the hottest bat at the time.

Jones can be in the #5 spot so he doesn't have the pressure of having to drive in runs being which he would if he was the cleanup hitter. He needs to concentrate on hitting the ball consistently and the runs and HRs will come.

Tejada can protect Wieters and would balance out the order quite nicely with Atkins at #8.

RichD: What's your e-mail again? I have some Berlin pics from last week. None with me in them, but there is snow on the ground here and I think they are time stamped. I'll send you the Bradenburg Gate and the US Embassy.

Roch,

Have you been approached about filling in with Scott since Anita is done at 105.7?
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Nope. - Roch

I thought DT was quoted as saying "Wieters won't be hitting 8th, I'll tell you that much", but don't quote me on that quote. :) Also, we all it's all about Spring Training, no matter what DT says in January.

Brummie is a class act.

We still don't have a true cleanup hitter. It's too early to put that label on Reimold or Weiters, even though they will one day be potential candidates. Please please don't put Jones in the cleanup spot, he will do nothing but try to hit the ball out each and every time up. They tried putting Miggy in the cleanup spot in 2007 I believe, and he didn't fare too well. Markakis is not a cleanup hitter. Luke Scott is too streaky, you don't want a cleanup hitter that will go up to a month between home runs.

If I had to pick today, I'd go with Atkins. He's a veteran who put up power numbers in the past and hitting between Nick, Adam, Reimold and/or Weiters might help him bounce back.

Roch, the thing you should be livid about when talking about the Vikes amongst all else IS that Brett Favre gets his knees drilled from behind and throws his first pick - yet NO flag was thrown. Im sorry wasnt that how Carson Palmer was injured by Kemo Von Ollhoffen the year the Steelers won the Super Bowl against the Seahawks? Didnt the league put a rule in place to protect players from going low into the qbs knees? Yet miraclously they missed that one? That was Favres first interception and shouldnt have stood because it should have been a 15 yd penalty and a first down it also would have wiped out New Orleans touchdown that they got because of it. That play is PRECISELY the reason Favre threw across his body for the second pick rather than run it to set up the field goal to end the 4th. Favre COULDNT run because the guy clipped his knees earlier.

Thats the kind of crap that keeps me from watching sports. I have a lot of biterness towards the NFL already because of that redicuolous imaginary rule they stated happened in Foxbory all those years ago. The Tuck Rule. A rule that never was enforced before or after and never existed until than. It started a dynasty with one team and destroyed the other. All the veteran free agents and malcontents that use to sign with the Raiders signed with the Patriots after that season BECAUSE of a RULE that never existed and yes Im still hot about it, so I feel your pain about getting bent over by the refs.
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I just added that point about Favre's knees. I forgot earlier. You're so right. - Roch

Most important question on uni switch:

What happens to 2110 Eutaw Street promo if AJ switches numbers?

Eeks. It's back to the drawing board for the marketing department!

B_O is just bitter because the British Empire has crumbled to almost 3rd World status...

You can't have someone who takes as feww pitches as Miggy does in the 2 spot. I'd have him at 6 or 7, behing Wieters to get Matt some pitches. I'm a little worried about having someone who hits into so many DPs batting behind someone who lumbers around the bases like Wieters, but if things worked, we'd have what the Yankees have had, a lineup that you can't let up on (difference in degree admittedly).

I do believe that the 3 or 4 tools that post negative spew on here are members of that midget Nestors crew that aren't allowed in the stadium because they pulled that meaningless stunt a few years back. Egomaniacs that enjoy hearing themselves talk. Those guys are nothing but glorified frat boys that have a two bit radio station. The real fans post here. Also you have to be a moron not to see that this team is going in the right direction.

If Brummie is in Berlin, I imagine we are paying his salary. Wish we could fire him too.

You a Vikes fan Roch? I am - that loss was a dagger. The ref calls were dissappointing, but it shouldn't have come to that. The Vikes were the better team and just couldn't stop shooting themselves in the foot.

I'd really like to see Markakis hitting 2nd. The stats guys will tell you that line-up placement doesn't matter, but he himself has said that he changed his approach a bit last year based on where he was hitting. I'd like to see him 2nd, Wieters 3rd, Reimold 4th, Tejada 5th, Jones 6th, and I don't very much care after that.

Tejada at number two would be a pretty curious(hint bad) decision. The guy hit over .300 last year, but only managed an OBP in the .340's. He does ground into a lot of double plays because he makes a lot of contact and has lost some speed. He also walked a grand total of 19 times last year. If his average would revert to his normal .280 to .290, then you are looking at a guy with a .314 OBP(his OBP from 2 years go) effectively killing your offense. Tejada can still be valuable, if hes spotted correctly. Hitting fifth seams like a good fit. Although Reimold might not have what people consider an ideal number two hitter's ability, the guy has a good amount of patience, gets his walks, has some power, is probably just as fast as Tejada combined with more power. Reimold could develop into a solid 3 through 5 hitter, but why not let him get on base so that Nick or Adam can drive him in?

jones hit best when batting 2nd last yr

roberts
jones
nick
reimold
wieters
atkins
tejada
d.h.
izzy

miggy gives the o's vocal leader which they don't have. though i don't see him adapting to 3rd for at least 100 games so maybe he'll actually be dh and someone else will play 3rd. just don't think getting miggy for 3rd is a good thing.

Not to be argumentative but it appears to me Chad Greenway's helmet was right at the 1st down marker when he made the hit on the ball so the ball had to be at the 1st down marker too. The Meacham catch is much harder to tell because his hand is around the ball when he's going down and his body is blocking the light and most camera angles. They were both extremely close calls that could of gone either way but I think the ref made the right decision by not reversing the call on the field. just my humble opinion.
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The ball started to slip out of the runner's grasp, so there's no longer forward progress there. - Roch

i'm with Steve:

Roberts
Jones
Markakis
Tejada
Scott
Weiters
Reimold
Atkins
Izturis

Good balance of right vs left. Will force Jones to keep getting fastballs (not to mention his speed on the bases) and have Weiters protected by Nolan and Nolan protected by a former 100+ RBI guy.

Brummie,
Anyone can download pictures off the internet. How about one with you and a sign your holding up saying "Brummie here, and I hate the Orioles" in front of the famous wall, there are still parts of the wall still up, I was there not long ago. That would be proof enough. E-mail is rdunn2323 at yahoo.

Roch,
Your right Tejada would be a good number 2 hitter. With Brian Roberts hitting in front of him, first base will be open more with Roberts steals and doubles, plus Tejada's bat control, hit and runs will be more common too.

Why would you want to put even more pressure on Atkins (by batting him fourth) than he'll probably be feeling himself given his disastrous 2009? Did he bat fourth while in Colorado?
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It was suggested within the organization at one point. - Roch

JML said:

Brummie is a classless act.
January 25, 2010 11:10 AM

fixed.

***************************

On another note, I really like the flexibilty we should have in regards to our lineup. I like Nolan in the 5 hole and Scott in the 6th where he has most of his success. I guess all we can do is wait for ST and see how many different combos Trembley writes up. I like Miggy in the 2 hole, specifically because Roberts hits so many doubles but I also liked the Roberts, AJ, Markakis top of the lineup that was outstanding early last year.

Brummie_Oriole said:

It's stat time again folks.

As always, these are real stats that the front office won't be boasting about anytime soon.

61 The number of double plays Miggy has grounded into the last 2 years. I am pretty sure this leads the majors. And to think that was in 4A NL ball. I can't wait to see how many rallies this guy kills against the Sox and Yanks.

1 The number of convicted criminals on a federal level the O's now have on their roster. How should I explain this to my nephew and eventually my son? Is it OK to lie to Congress? Is it OK to mislead federal investigators? Is it OK to take Roids?

Do people realise that if Miggy gets in trouble with the law anytime soon, his sentence could be enforced?

Funny how no one else is touching Miggy's conviction with a 10 foot pole.

Boy Andy just did a great job for O's PR.
January 25, 2010 10:59 AM
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Hey fool, since you raved and applauded the wonderful Ravens team and front office on this blog, so I guess that means you love teams that have felons who were arrested for a double murder and then plea bargained to a lesser charge of obstruction of justice to save his smary arse. Which is a worse offense fool? Using steroids or plea bargaining a double murder charge to obstruction of justice. Explain that to your nephew and "eventual" son. You are without a doubt the most idiotic fool who ever wrote a sentence and this latest whine of yours proves it.

Hey RichD; any idiot (even Brummie) with photoshop can make photos of themselves anywhere and with everyone in the world. So we all believe you and know Brummie is a phony.

Roch, This may sound ridiculous, but has there been any talk of him DH?
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Tejada? Not full-time, but it could happen on occasion to provide some rest - or if he's a disaster at third. - Roch

Roch,

It is nice to know that someone else was watching the same football game that I saw. The refs made three bad calls which moved the Saints down the field and on to victory. I am not a Vikings fan but I am not blind either. What a disgrace!

"I already typed "SS" next to Tejada's name once in this entry before correcting myself, and it'll happen again. You can count on it."

Roch, that's what Spring Training is for... You'll be ready by Opening Day!

I agree with your placement of Tejada in the lineup and your reasoning behind it. I wonder if there's ever been a team that had the previous year's AL and NL leaders in doubles batting first and second.

Oh, and Who Dat?

I think the spot on 4th down was fine, the rest of them were terrible. It really bothers me, because even thought I wanted the Vikings to win, I think the Saints may have been able to win on their own, but we'll never know because they were handed it in overtime.
Also, I really hope Jones doesn't give up his number, because my poor self actually sprung for a Jones jersey last time I made it up to the yard and I don't want my +100 dollar purchase to now be wrong.

I don't think Atkins has earned the right to bat 4th. He'll bat lower.

I like Miggy at #2 or #4. I'm afraid putting him at #4 could give him the false idea that he's got to be THE MAN here in Baltimore again. That's not the case this go 'round. But... he is still a good hitter, and he has certainly "earned" that spot, considering his entire career.

I liked Steve Melewski's lineup this morning. No matter what happens, though, this is EXCITING! We're going to score more this year.

Roberts
Reimold
Markakis
Jones
Tejada
Scott
Weiters
Atkins
Izturis

There are somethings you have to do with this lineup.1) Roberts leads off (duh), 2) Markakis hits 3rd (you need him there to breakup the righties), 3 Scott hits 6th (for some reason he does well there, keep him there.)

The rest has to fall in order. Reimolds is better suited for 2 because he patient enough to take pitches for Roberts. Jones needs to hit cleanup because he's the man and needs to be given the role now until Weiters takes the role later this year. tejada protects him nicely.

roch so the lhp is hendrickson ?

reimold should bat 4 or 5 th .
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We still expect him to be one of the lefty relievers. - Roch

What is really sad in terms of the mock lineups which you posted is the number 4 slot. Andy said he was going to go out and get that true cleanup hitter. You have Scott at cleanup in one and Atkins in the 4th hole in the other. That pretty much sums up this terrible off season.

Andy...Put this off season in the same category as Hobgood...you blew it and went the cheap route!
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I have Scott batting fourth in one of them? - Roch

Who holds the Orioles record for most hits in a season? For most RBI in a season? If memory serves me correct, Cal Ripken lead the team in GIDP a few years. Guess he sucked as a player too.

Also to those who are wondering about which number Tejada will wear, please note that number 10 was NOT his number until he played for the Orioles. He wore number 4 during his years in Oakland and changed to 10 in Baltimore because Earl Weaver's #4 is retired. I know Jeff Zrbiec (sp) in the Sun said he always wore 10. I say give him Mora's old number.

My opening day lineup with the current starting set would be:

1. Roberts
2. Jones
3. Markakis
4. Scott
5. Reimold
6. Tejada
7. Wieters
8. Atkins
9. Izturis

Roch,
If something ever happened to Itusz, does that mean Miggy would slide right over to take his spot at SS?

I would of rather seen the O's put Bell in the slot and have learn as they go instead of plugging an over the hill washed up liar.
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Don't know. Depends who's on the roster. If they have a backup like Andino, it would likely be him. - Roch

Scott 6th - why ?? Move Wieters up, move Luuuke down

Most importantly... what will the Sunday lineup look like. We are only as strong as our weakest link (day of the week) I have taken some creative liberties with my lineup since we dont know who is on the fringe or making the team:

1. Roberts /2B
2. Pie / CF
3. Markakis / RF
4. Atkins / 3B
5. Scott / LF
6. Anyone at DH as DH
7. Wigginton, Reimold / 1B
8. Moeller, Tatum / C
9. Andino, Freel, Turner / SS

Roberts
Jones
Markakis
Tejada
Scott
Weiters
Reimold
Atkins
Izturis

Good balance of right vs left. Will force Jones to keep getting fastballs (not to mention his speed on the bases) and have Weiters protected by Nolan and Nolan protected by a former 100+ RBI guy.

^^^^^^^
agreed maybe time to time switch jones and markakis and scott and reimold, with tejda batting fourth it gives him a better chance to drive speedy guys like roberts, jones, and kakes in, not to mention he led the NL in doubles last year (so now we have 2 doubles leaders). Just because you bat clean up doesnt mean you have to hit homruns as long as you can drive guys in

Sorry my mistake...Jones in the other 4th batter.

Jones is NOT a cleanup hitter either!

Hey Roch,

I saw his name come up, but I wanted to ask myself. What do you think the acquisition of Tejada does to Andino's roster spot. He was essentially on the team because he was the only serviceable SS off our bench. It would seem to me that Tejada can still play SS in an emergency, so maybe that can open the door for a more versatile player like Justin Turner to make the team. That seems like it would be a better fit for the team, in my opinion.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not sure. Tejada's range at short is limited. Andino also backs up at second. I could see him still having a place on this team - if he beats out Turner - but using Tejada as the backup shortstop is one option. - Roch

Roch,

1. Yup, pass interference call was a major mistake; uncatchable ball.

2. O's lineup:

1. Roberts
2. Jones (forced to be plate disciplined; good speed w/Roberts)
3. Markakis
4. Atkins (he can regain his stroke)
5. Reimold
6. Tejada
7. Scott
8. Weiters
9. Izturis

As others have stated,this could be a potent lineup, and offers DT many options based upon who's hot/who's not etc.

Roch

I always thought Brummie was in Berlin, MD...geez...

Hey wasnt Tim Byrdak with the O's in like 04? Looks like he has stuck @ houston for a few years?

Here is hoping that you have a beard working for Fan Fest next year. Luke Scott looked like he had come off the set of KingPin or Witness

I'm not one to throw out line-ups often, but since that is the point of this post.
2b Roberts - S
cf Jones - R
rf Markakis - L
lf Reimold - R
ca Wieters - S
3b Tejada - R
dh Scott - L
1b Atkins - R
ss Izturis - S
This makes it extremely balanced against late inning match-ups and puts the better players up in the order where they belong.

Roch,

I can not see Tejada batting 2nd, he does not walk alot and hits into way to many double plays. I like Reimold, to take pitches and work the count.

1 Roberts
2 Reimold
3 Markakis
4 Tejada (until wieters is takes over)
5 Jones
6 Wieters
7 Scott
8 Atkins
9 Izturis

Speaking of the Vikings game, on the pass interference call in overtime, right before Brees threw the ball he was about to get sacked by a defender but that defender got shoved from behind by an offensive lineman to the ground. It was clear as day to me but of course that was not called and instead they called the fake pass interference.

For the Tejada detractors who cite his GIDPs as evidence that he's useless...

Who has the all time GIDP record? All time? In all of baseball history?

Cal Ripken, Jr. 350 GIDPs over his career.

I know that GIDPs are momentum killers, but it's anything but a statistic that should be used to define a player.

Brummie, you are so puerile.

1. Roberts
2. Reimold
3. Markakis
4. Jones
5. Tejeda
6. Scott
7. Wieters
8. Atkins
9. Izturis

That's how I would have it for Opening Day. Things could change as the season progresses, though.

Hey Roch,

It looks like the #1, #3, #9 lineup spots are locked in with the remaining six spots flexable depending on who does what in spring training. Regardless of where they bat, 2010 is the brightest we've seen the light at the end of the tunnel in a decade. This time it's not a train, but rays of sunshine! What we have here is a vastly improving team, with a solid farm system in place, and a diligent G.M. fulfilling a master plan. Andy, now go get Bedard! It's good to be an O's fan. Go O's!

Roch,
I like our line up any way you stack it. I can see Wieters batting 8 to start the year and ending up in the 4th or 5th slot shortly there after. Why not have a bit of power at the beginning, middle, and end?

Congrats on mustering the courage to throw out a scratch line up for us to ponder. That is a very hard task this early in the year. I would understand no more blogs today seeing that making an Orioles scratch lineup takes alot out of you. Does your brain hurt? I know mine does. haha

glad to see we signed a 35 year old SS whose power numbers have been in steady decline since 2005 and who has never played 3rd base. That we sent packing out of town 2 years ago just before he was named in the Mitchell Report. I thought the O's wanted good character players.. Not guys who lied to congress. I'm sure tejada will be a great influence on all of our younger players. This on top of signing our new slugging 1st basemen who hit all of .226 last year with 9 homeruns. Really beginning to wish I could get behind another team but I've found it imposible.

Hang on here, you need to look at more than just R/L. There is several things at play here. Tejada will not bat 2nd. It would be a really bad move. He was top 5 in the league last year in GIDP. Why on earth would you have him bat 2nd with Roberts on the bases? No, I think he bats much lower like 7. His lower power may even move him below Scott. I love that he is back, but putting him in the 2 hole is bad move. Leave Jones in the 2 hole for now to use his speed and let him swing. Its where he was most productive. I do thin Atkins can and should bat 4th. He has been in that spot before and was a 100 RBI guy in that spot. If the hope is that he returns to form of old, give him a shot in the 4 hoel to start especially if he is hitting well in the spring. Also, Trembley said that Weiters will bat higher, REimold likes to bat 5th he has said. Consider this:

ROBERTS - S
JONES - R
MARKAKIS - L
ATKINS - R
SCOTT - L
WEITERS - S
REIMOLD - R
TEJADA - R
ISTURIZ - S

Trembley actually said he likes Pie in the 2 hole ? Man he is an idiot.

Roberts
Jones
Markakis
Reimold
Tejada
Weiters
Atkins
Scott
Izturis

In that case RichD, forget it. I love the O's and I would never ever say the kind of things you suggest on a sign. I bleed orange and black. Like everyone else, all I want to see is a winning product on the field. Some of us may see this in our lifetime. MOST OF US WON'T!

Also, since no matter what I do you'll just label my photos as something from photoshop, what's the point?

I did see part of the Wall last week near Friederichstrasse, I think. It was cold and I was jet lagged. Apparently they commission artists now to paint sections of it. Pretty cool.

I agree that the refs blew those calls in OT, however if Favre uses any of his many years of experience and runs the ball for 5 yards and either goes out of bounds or into a slide, the Vikes win that game with a field goal.

Ironically, this is the third time in a row Favre has ended the season with an interception.

If Izturis goes down 7-10 with a tweek, pull, or sprain
Would you hurt your piching with Tejeda glove or
help them with Andino/Turner

IMO, you put Jones in the 2 hole and leave him there. He is prefect for that spot, good speed, good power, gets on base. If Nick is uncomfortable hitting 3rd maybe switch him and Jones, but that is the most I would do there.
The problem with this team is we still don't have a #4 hitter, Wieters may grow into that spot, but you can't be sure. Who knows what we will get with Atkins, so after the 3 spot it gets kind of dicey. I guess I'd put Wieters there and see what happens. Then I think I'd go with Reimold, Scott, Tajada, Atkins, Isturz. Scott hits best in the 6th spot, and he was the leader in HRs last year, hopefully he can be a little more consistent.
So my line up would look like this:
Roberts
Jones
Markakis
Wieters
Reimold
Scott
Tajada
Atkins
Isturz
Of course a lot depends on how they do in ST, but if I had to make out the line up for opening day right how, that would be my line up.
I'm still not that happy about the Tajada signing, but given the circumstances, we could have done worse. I'd rather have him than Crede, but I still think Troy Glaus would have looked real nice in the middle of that line up.
I think we'll be better than last year, and I'm very excited to see how the young guys develop. The pitching should be OK, so if we can score some runs who knows, maybe we sneak up on 80 wins. That would be nice.
Go ORIOLES!

1 Brian Roberts 2B
2 Nick Markakis RF
3 Matt Wieters C
4 Miguel Tejada 3B
5 Nolan Reimold LF
6 Adam Jones CF
7 Luke Scott DH
8 Garrett Atkins 1B
9 Cesar Izturis SS

No rumors as of now but i'll play along.

Brian Roberts 2B-No brainer
Adam Jones CF-Let him get comfortable and take it easy
Nick Markakis RF-Franchise boy RBI Guy
Matt Weiters C- A STUD the future guy
Nolan Reimold LF-He's most comfortable here
Luke Scott DH- Most Comfortable here when not moved around
Miguel Tejada 3B-Low but he gets on base
Garret Atkins 1B- He's got to prove himself
Cesar Izturiz SS- Where he belongs

Prospects we won't here this from our team by the end of
the year how many more days ti'll february 17

Also if this team hits like there on fire we could
have the most dynamic young fast powerful rbi driven
doubles hitting team in the MLB!!!

1 Brian Roberts 2B
2 Nick Markakis RF
3 Matt Wieters C
4 Miguel Tejada 3B
5 Nolan Reimold LF
6 Adam Jones CF
7 Luke Scott DH
8 Garrett Atkins 1B
9 Cesar Izturis SS

I posted my lineup on Saturday and I'm sticking to it: Roberts/ Tejada/ Markakis/ Jones/ Wieters/ Scott/ Atkins (or Aubrey or Wigginton)/ Izturis. I agree with you that Roberts gets a lot of doubles and he also walks a good bit and steals a lot of bases. So Roberts walks, steals second and third and scores on a Tejada ground out and we're off and running. The reason that I have Jones batting third and Wieters batting fourth is that Jones had 19 homers in 216 at bats last year and Wieters had 9 homers in 146 at bats. But bottom line, you go with the hottest bat where it's most effective. If Atkins is successful in reviving his career and starts hiting the ball out of the park, you might want to move him up in the lineup. I'm ready: PLAY BALL.

Hey Roch,

I don't think people understand On Base percentage yet. I keep seeing Adam Jones being put in the #2 slot. Even though he is not known for walking.

2B Roberts
LF Reimold
RF Markakis
CF Jones
DH Scott
C Wieters
3B Tejada
1B Atkins
SS Izturis

I can see a few different versions. But this one seems the best In My Eyes.

ok i see everyone have wieters in the 3 or 4 spot he still hasnt proved himself heres my lineup

1 Brian Roberts
2 Nolan Reimold
3 Nick Markakis
4 Miguel Tejada
5 Adam Jones
6 Luke Scott
7 Garrett Atkins
8 Matt Wieters
9 Cezar Izturis

I like Jones in the two spot. He showed more patience while batting second. When they moved him into more of a power position in the lineup, he started swinging for the fences and became less patient.

Mike said:

1 Brian Roberts 2B
2 Nick Markakis RF
3 Matt Wieters C
4 Miguel Tejada 3B
5 Nolan Reimold LF
6 Adam Jones CF
7 Luke Scott DH
8 Garrett Atkins 1B
9 Cesar Izturis SS

January 25, 2010 1:11 PM

****************************************

That's the best line up. Anyone batting Wieters 7th or lower hasn't been paying attention. And you don't want Jones at the clean up spot with the way he was swinging for the fences last year.

Birdfan from Birth said:
For the Tejada detractors who cite his GIDPs as evidence that he's useless...

Who has the all time GIDP record? All time? In all of baseball history?

Cal Ripken, Jr. 350 GIDPs over his career.
__________________________________

Cal Ripken's career...........3001 games, or one GIDP per 8.57 games.

Tejada's career.............1871 games, or one GIDP per 7.63 games.

At that pace, Tejada would eclipse Ripken's record in a mere 2678 games. If Tejada's career lasts as long as Ripken's, at his current pace he would record 393 GIDPs.

Sorry I couldn't make FanFest, Roch, et al. Sounds like it was a good time...nice to hear about the fans enjoying themselves, especially the kids.

bryan in hampstead said:
"Really beginning to wish I could get behind another team..."

Us, too.

Brummie_Oriole said:

~~It's stat time again folks.~~

Thanks for the warning that there are lies about to come.

~~As always, these are real stats that the front office won't be boasting about anytime soon.~~

When did "as always" mean "for once"?

~~61 The number of double plays Miggy has grounded into the last 2 years. I am pretty sure this leads the majors. And to think that was in 4A NL ball. I can't wait to see how many rallies this guy kills against the Sox and Yanks.~~

Wow, how original . . . You are only the 50th person since Miggy became the nom d'jour to address the issue of Miggy's GIDP stats. Thanks for your service to the nation. Everyone knows that it is the 50th time that really counts.

~~1 The number of convicted criminals on a federal level the O's now have on their roster.~~

So what? Convicted criminals have the right to earn a living.

~~How should I explain this to my nephew and eventually my son?~~

If they survive the embaressment of being related to a lying, self impressed, miserable excuse for a human being like you, I am sure the stigma of rooting for Miggy wont hurt them.

~~Is it OK to lie to Congress?~~

If it is ok for the president to lie under oath in court, why not? If it is ok for congress to leak sealed grand jury testimony, why not? And coming from you who lie as often as, and as naturally as you breathe, it is sickening to hear this stuff from.

~~Is it OK to mislead federal investigators?~~

Again, it is for congress and the president so why not Miggy?

~~Is it OK to take Roids?~~

morally or legally? Obviously it is illegal but there is a question about its moral standing in many folks minds.

~~Do people realise that if Miggy gets in trouble with the law anytime soon, his sentence could be enforced?~~

So what? If he doesn't, it wont. He has the right to work and this is his job.

~~Funny how no one else is touching Miggy's conviction with a 10 foot pole.~~

Maybe because it is not germane and you only care because you think it advances your unholy crusade against the Orioles.

~~Boy Andy just did a great job for O's PR.~~

And a GM who doesnt do things solely for PR purposes is refreshing. We have had enough of running personnel decisions for PR purposes.

I am no fan of Miggy or the decision to bring him back, but find you a thousand times more despicable than Tejada.

ROch,

I have to join the fun..Here it is

Brian Roberts
Nolan Reimolds
Nick Markatis
Miguel Tajada
Adam Jones
Matt Wieters
Luke Scott
Garrett Adkins
Cesar Izturis

Bench: Pie, Turner/Wiggleton, Aubrey, and Moeller. Only four total

Ah, lineups. Never really got into that, but watching the blog has made me more aware of the logic behind it.

Mark C, Sometime you should let us know how you really feel about Tejada. I think much of what you said is basically true, though in my opinion a bit exaggerated (no way he's on bar with Albert Belle). I'm willing to give MacPhail the benefit of the doubt on this. I think it was probably a tough decision for him, but all things considered did what he thought was best for the team. I'm hoping (irrationally) that Tejada will be thankful for this chance to prove us wrong.

Roch, I didn't get to watch the game but have heard others mention the same calls you list here. Still, the Vikings lost because of the turnovers. I also hope this puts to bed the argument about resting your players when your playoff seed is locked up. Didn't seem to hurt anyone.

I didn't mention it Saturday, but thanks for the great coverage of FanFest. Sounds like it was a great time.

If you follow this analysis that states that decresing OPS is the most efficient batting order (http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~mbodell/battingOrder2001.html) the lineup would look quite different:

Reimold .831
Scott .828
Roberts .807
Markakis.801
Tejada .795
Jones .792
Wieters .753
Atkins .650
Izturis .622

If you tweak that just a bit you get a workable lineup of:
Roberts
Reimold
Markakis
Scott
Tejada
Jones
Wieters
Atkins
Izturis

I like the last lineup you posted as well Roch.

What a great problem to have when you have a hard time figuring out where to bat people that really could be hitting in the 2-6 spots. I may be the eternal opptimist, but I feel as though Atkins is going to put up some nice numbers. You can't ignore the numbers he has put up in the past, even if he did bat in Colorado for half of his game. He definitely has something to prove, and I think we will reap the benefits of that. Look for him to be in the cleanup or number 5 spot by the time summer roles around.

Roch

What does Bell mean by "looking forward" to switch hitting ? Is this a new thing for him ?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He's looking forward to staying a switch-hitter by improving from the right side. - Roch

Roch,
I like the game of lets make a line up card. I personaly favor the method that we used on the playground to bat alphabeticaly, especially if we list BRob a B. Are we sure that AM is done shopping? Who knows what surprises might await us?

Not so great really Ben in PA. No one jumps out as a #4 hitter. O's have a lot of #2 hitters or #6 hitters.

They still need a 30+HR masher. Which Wieters might become.

Roberts 2b (S)
Jones CF (R)
Markakis RF (L)
Tejada 3b (R)
Scott DH (L)
Reimold lf (R)
Weiters C (S)
Atkins 1b (R)
Itsuris ss (S)

This lineup does 3 things:
-it puts the most experienced, veteran hitter (who, coincidentially has the highest avg) in the cleanup spot which takes unnecessary pressure off of younger players like Weiters, Jones or Reimold. Unless one of these three tears up spring training, hitting .400+ with 7-8 HR's, let them take advantage of a veteran presence for protection while they continue to develop into productive major leaguers.

- While Tejada does not hit for power (HR's) consistently any more, he does still hit doubles with alacrity! Except for '07 when he broke his wrist, Tejada hasn't hit less than 30 doubles since his 1st professional year (no less than 37 2-baggers since '04). On this team, if the 1st three batters can get on base, he will still be an effective run producer.

-This lineup sets the table for another run producer, Atkins in a second "cleanup" hitter for the bottom of the lineup. If "the Crow"is able to straighten out Atkins' swing, then maybe move him up some later in the season, but until then, let him drive in the 4-7 guys. Also, this lineup keeps a L-R-L alternation which keeps pitching matchups honest.

In the absence of a true cleanup style power hitter, this gives the team a fair chance to score a lot of runs while helping the younger players fully develop.

Roch...Meachum was juggling the ball, but show me conclusive evidence that ball hit the ground, because as far as I can tell, his hand stays between the ball and the ground the entire time and he eventually traps it against his leg.

As for the lineup:

Roberts
Tejada
Markakis
Jones
Atkins
Reimold
Weiters
Scott
Izturis

Yea, those were some bad calls in OT, however there were a number of questionable calls that went the Vikings way earlier in the game. The worst was the fumbled punt return. The ball was on the ground and the Saints player pushed the returner as he was getting back up. That was a live ball and the guy could have picked it up and run for a TD. 15 yards for making a tackle.
2 roughing calls on Favre. One of them was when Favre was making a block after a delayed toss. The flag came in as they were getting ready for the next play. The other roughing call...the rushers came in unblocked and hit him as he was throwing the ball.
I think the refs were terrible both ways. Hope they aren't moving on to call the Super Bowl.

Cheers.

I just can't see Tejada batting cleanup anymore in his career. I think his OPS would be better suited in the 2nd or 6th spot.

Anderson CF
Alomar 2B
Palmeiro 1B
Ripken 3B
Surhoff LF
Baines DH
Hammonds RF
Hoiles C
Bordick SS

Lineup doesn't scare me, but we won the division. Hey, it's hard for me let go of the past!

We post a heck of a lineup in 2010, I just hope we get the pitching.

No matter what lineup DT puts out there, the guys have to HAVE A PLAN at the plate and against each pitcher. They did that for about 3 games to begin the 2009 season, then... then...

They completely fell off the map. Markakis, Mora, Roberts, and the rest forgot how to take a pitch. Luke Scott had a good first half, then he began pressing, too. Walk numbers dropped for almost everyone. Pitches seen dropped drastically.

How many first pitch swings did we see? Only Roberts really had a good season. Markakis, Wiggy, and Weiters rebounded nicely, but nothing to really brag about.

This year, they have to be more patient. That's the only way to beat NY and Bos.

Also... Miggy hit 46 doubles last year. How many of those will be HR's in Baltimore? Houston is not hitter friendly. Maybe 5-10 of Houston HR turn into Baltimore HR? That means a pretty good year for MT.

After thinking it over some, I’ve come to the conclusion that bringing back Tejada at 1 year/$6 million isn’t a bad deal. The main thing is to realize that you’re getting a different player than the one that we originally signed six years ago. He can still hit for an average, and he’s still fairly durable, but likely gone for good are the power and run producing numbers we remember from five years ago (as evidenced by the reduced annual pay from his previous contract). On offense, if he can produce numbers similar to what he did last season with Houston, he'd be worth the price. The big question will be, can he play third base, a position he’s not played before? The possibility that he’ll be an absolute disaster at third is the biggest risk for this deal. If that happens, what does the team do with him?

Obviously, Tejada is just a stopgap until Josh Bell is ready. If Tejada has a decent season both at the plate and on the field, it’ll make it tough to find space for Bell if Bell is ready. This, though, will be a welcome dilemma. I’d rather have Bell fighting for at bats because the guy above him is putting up a decent season than Bell being promoted because the guy above him is a bum.

Bringing Tejada back does bring back some baggage, sure. We can’t forget how his time ended here before, or the fact that he’s aged four years in two years, or that he was named in the Mitchell Report, or that he got busted for lying to Congress. For a one-year deal, I can overlook this stuff for the moment. The fact that he’s taking a one-year contract at a reduced salary and is willing to switch positions perhaps indicates some degree of humility on his part. Perhaps I should be outraged given Tejada’s history, but I’m more outraged at 12 straight losing seasons, and there are plenty of other things in this world to be upset about.

Everyone needs to lay off Brummie. Brummie, you can send the pictures to me, and I will believe you. In turn, I will send you the pictures I just took last night with my girlfriend, Reese Witherspoon at a chic LA restaurant just before I boarded a jet to go meet the Pope at the Vatican. As soon as I get those pictures back, I will forward them to you as well.

Don't forget that there is at least one other Orioles player who admitted to using steroids, if only once. Truthfully, it does not matter if he used them once or 1,000 times. A steroid user is a steroid user. If you are going to criticize the Orioles for signing a steroid user, you cannot turn around a laud them for keeping the others.

Roch,

What are the chances of the Orioles trading Luke Scott and signing a true cleanup hitter to be the DH like Jim Thome or Carlos Delgado?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not sure if Delgado rates as a true cleanup hitter anymore, though he probably would in this lineup. There's a chance they could move Scott, but I don't think they're actively shopping him. - Roch

I just don't understand the urge to put a guy who is likely to hit fewer HRs than everyone in the line-up but Izturis in the clean-up spot. I prefer Miggy in the 2-hole, and Atkins should definitely hit 8th to start the year.

Roberts
Jones
Markakis
Tejada
Reimold
Wieters
Scott
Atkins
Izturis

Roch,
PLEASE say the rumor about you replacing Anita Marks is true. She is absolutely horrible. A not very knowledgeable sports "personality" with no ties to our town. I am sick of her pretending that she understands the plight of Baltimore fans. Would be great to have a Baltimore guy in the booth with Garceau.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No truth to it, and I haven't heard the rumor beyond a few readers here pointing it out. I'll always been grateful for the way Anita promoted my work and continued to put me on the air. She's done a lot to advance my career. - Roch

2B Brian Roberts (switch)
CF Adam Jones (right)
RF Nick Markakis (left)
C Matt Wieters (switch)
LF Nolan Reimold (right)
DH Luke Scott (left)
3B Miguel Tejada (right)
1B Garrett Atkins (right)
SS Cesar Izturis (switch)

Bench
IF Ty Wigginton (right)
OF Felix Pie (left)
IF Justin Turner (right) -- I see Andino getting cut
C Chad Moeller (right)

Hi Roch, Long time no write. I guess everyone is keeping Garrett Atkinds far down the lineup because of his bad year last year but if the guy bats like he has always before as the season goes along and after Crow gets done with him, I do not see how he stays down that far in the order if he is a fixed product. The guy could bash more homers than anyone on the team if right or at least maybe he can. Gotta love the moves the O's have made so far no matter how they line them up. Now we need Hendrickson and another lefty and maybe Bedard if they feel the need. What an exciting off season and ST around the corner....hope you mised my ...........................
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Hey!! Where the heck have you been? Welcome back. - Roch

I guess if Jones and Tejada work something out and Tejada takes #10 again the O's will have to change the name of the 2110 promotion they have going on again for this season.

I agree that there are some givens and that certain players should be "slotted" based on preference or past expierence. Givens: Roberts#1, Markakis #3, Izturis #9. Jones should be slotted for the #2 spot (forcing him to be more patient for his own good), Reimold should be slotted at #5, it makes sense and is his own personal preference as he stated on the hot stove show, and Scott has proven to be most productive at #6. That leaves Wieters, Tejada and Atkins for #4,#7 and #8. Agree that you might put too much pressure on Wieters starting him at #4, so I'm OK with #7 to start the year, and if he's mashing you can move him up later in the year. Let's keep the pressure off Atkins too as he's trying to refind his swing #8 is fine, and that leaves Tejada at #4, you could do worse, though he won't hit a lot of homers, he would easily drive in over 100runs.

Roberts
Jones
Markakis
Tejada
Reimold
Scott
Wieters
Scott
Atkins
Izturis

Only two spots of back to back righties with Tejada and Reimold at 4,5.

Scott said:
Birdfan from Birth said:
For the Tejada detractors who cite his GIDPs as evidence that he's useless...

Who has the all time GIDP record? All time? In all of baseball history?

Cal Ripken, Jr. 350 GIDPs over his career.
__________________________________

Cal Ripken's career...........3001 games, or one GIDP per 8.57 games.

Tejada's career.............1871 games, or one GIDP per 7.63 games.

At that pace, Tejada would eclipse Ripken's record in a mere 2678 games. If Tejada's career lasts as long as Ripken's, at his current pace he would record 393 GIDPs.
***********************************************************

Fair enough. The fact remains that it isn't useful to wave GIDP stats around as a definitive means of determining the overall quality of a ballplayer. I don't think anyone would say that Ripken wasn't a great ballplayer even WITH the all time GIDP record. And considering that Miggy consistently bats for a higher average than Ripken did, I don't see what the fuss is all about.

That being said, I *do* understand not wanting to put Miggy in the 2 spot after Roberts, largely for the GIDP reason.

My lineup:

Roberts
Jones
Markakis
Tejada
Scott
Reimold
Wieters
Atkins
Izturis

1 roberts
2 jones
3 jermane dye
4 markakis
5 weiters
6 tejada
7 scott, reimold
8 atkins
9 ceasar itz

this is assumeing the os pick up dye

Roch- Based on rumors, here's my take on the line up. Please tell that guy, it's spelled Markakis, not Markasis.
Roberts
Jones
Markakis
Tejada
Wieters
Reimold
Scott/Wiggy
Atkins
Izturis

Hi Again Roch, I just have been reading your words daily and keeping my mouth shut and watching the plan unfold since October.....I just love AM....the guy is slick and good and the prefect guy for the O's job....he is a master...I am sure there will be a couple more moves for the lefties and the true unknown factor of another starter....the lineups--they are fun to watch the opinions here on your blog..I just can not wait to get going...I am sure DT is going crazy trying to figure out his lineup now that Miggy is back...that kinda threw him off a bit I bet.

Wow – some divergent projected line-ups. That’s a good thing. I see Tejada in the 2 or 4 hole to start; for his career, his production in those slots is far better than others. This is DT’s team and he’s a veteran guy (which is the only reason it's hard for me to imagine Atkins hitting 8.) He played around with the younger guys higher at the end of last season, but barring some astounding ST performances, I see the top of the line-up being very similar to last year, with the addition of Tejada of course. Early on that is; as the plan progresses as it is supposed to those guys will move up in the line-up. It’s exciting to think about. I’ve done about 4 sample line-ups, but they’re all about the same as everyone else’s. Lots of possibilities.

Prior to this news I had almost convinced myself that Crede was the best stopgap option at 3b due to his stellar defense. After all, a run saved is just as valuable as a run earned. I guess the health issue scared Andy away, along with the lure of Tejada’s projected (perceived) offense and fan-appeasing qualities. I really hope he’s a quick study at the hot corner, and that Atkins proves himself capable at 1B. It will be a long season if defense on both corners is awful. That said, I like Miggy and feel his second time around here, with different expectations and organizational strategy could be positive for both the O’s and him. One thing I like is that Tejada has a career OPS+ of 124 at OPACY. Another thing I really like is that he sports career OPS+ over 100 against all of the other AL East teams. To me, that means he’s a competitor and raises his level of play when called upon -- which I think is part of the positive response his signing got from Roberts & Markakis. A key offseason goal was to put the O’s in a position where at least they won’t be the doormats of the division. I think Tejada is a step in the right direction, provided he can at least do the same while playing 3b (i.e., step in the right direction, for starters).

Brummie_Oriole said:
So you are a math teacher Mastercheffy? LOL
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Brummie... did you seriously LOL at my teaching career? How DARE you denegrate and demean the teaching profession with your smarmy, smart-aleck comments? Here I am, trying to teach important, real-life skills to students who aren't particularly motivated or good at it, many of them coming from disfunctional families, and over half of whom have either a learning disability or an emotional disturbance severe enough to be classified as special education. All this I do while being underpaid, having my salary at the mercy of government budgets (are YOU facing the prospect of having to take a 2% pay cut at your job?), losing my teacher tax credit on my federal taxes, and having to work a second job because as teachers we don't get paid in the summer time.

I'm done with you. You're a punk who has ceased to be worth my time. I'm taking a vacation from you and the rest of your brood. Maybe when I come back to the blog you will have learned some manners and some civility, because I know darn sure you won't have learned any humility. Better yet, maybe Roch will finally ban you so I don't have to put up with you any more.

Roch, I agree with you about the bad calls made against the Vikings, although they killed themselves as well--they lost the game as much as the Saints won it.

On the Thomas touchdown call, Childress could have challenged and I'm not sure why he didn't, unless he didn't trust his defense to keep New Orleans out of the end zone. If that's the case, he's conceding the score, which takes some of the onus off of the officials; stillm they definitely got it wrong.

Favre was great this year (save for that last pass--that's one area where I think Manning is clearly better; he doesn't needlessly gamble and wouldn't have forced that), but should be able to sue his O-line for non-support. The Saints have a decent defense, but there's no way they should have been getting to Favre as much as they did.

As far as him playing next season, there's no reason he couldn't if he wants to come back. He had arguably his best season and was an legitimate MVP candidate. He just needs better protection.

The Colts look like the team to beat. They were dominant against the Jets and riddled the league's best defense for 30 points. They had the best defense yesterday (one of the Jet's two TDs was set up by a gadget play). While the Saints obviously have a chance, the smart money's on Indy. Remember, they're the team that lost two games because they chose to lose them, while New Orleans' perfect season went by the boards because they stunk for a couple of games.

As good as Brees is, I like Manning a little better, plus all of the Colts pass catchers are excellent, giving them a deeper receiving corps than the Saints. As the Jets found out, Indy's got too many weapons.

I think batting Tejada fourth makes the most sense. Atkins hasn't been as consistent a hitter and it's important to have someone who's dependable in that slot. Despite having 281 more at bats than Atkins last season, Tejada had ten fewer strikeouts, and he has been good at making contact throughout his career.

People are getting the impression that Atkins is a great power hitter. Well, he's been a good power hitter, but never a great one. Tejada had some big power seasons (four times hitting 30+ homers, albeit with chemical assistance), whereas Atkins has never reached 30.

I think Atkins may have a little more power than Miggy at this point, but the lack of consistency while coming off a bad year and to a new league suggest at best he's going to take a while to get in a groove. While Tejada's also switching leagues, he has much more experience against AL pitching than Atkins, plus his power numbers should benefit from coming back to hitter-friendly OPACY. I believe 20-25 HR is a realistic range for him and if he does that hitting from the four hole, while maintaining a .300+ average, there's no reason he couldn't drive in 100 runs (he had 86 last year and didn't hit clean up).

By the way, you mentioned that you mistakenly put SS beside Tejada's name. How many times this month have you dated a check '09? For a change I've gotten right every time so far.
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Fortunately, I don't write many checks these days. On-line banking is a blessing. But when I do, I have to stop myself and make sure I write in the correct year. - Roch

Brummie_Oriole said:
So you are a math teacher Mastercheffy? LOL

Let me teach you a nice little equation some us learned a long time ago.

Andy MacPhail + increased revenue - win totals - proper communication + increased ticket prices = BUDGET BASEBALL

=====================================================================

Roch-
What does this comment above even mean? It makes no sense wht-so-ever.
I mean, I would get, lower payroll + higher ticket prices = low attendance.
I know brummie is a dope, but I was totally baffled here.

I don't normally like to put up fantasy projections in January but I'm having a hard time holding back. For all the sentiment that the O's have a lack of power in their lineup, I disagree to an extent. A guarenteed 35-40HR guy batting cleanup would be great, don't get me wrong, but I think this years team could realistically reach 200 home runs after only getting about 140 last year. And while it requires improvement from just about everyone, I don't think it's out of the question or even best case scenario projections.

Top 6: Reimold 28, Jones 26, Markakis 25, Wieters 25, Scott 23, Atkins 23.
That's 150.
Throw in 15 each for Roberts and Tejada, that's 180.
Add in whatever limited power production gained from Izturis, Wiggington, Pie, Moeller, and the 4th bench player, for a total of 20 or so, and that's 200.

Not to bad, especially when you consider no one should hit less than .255. Team batting average could easily be around .275 to .280. Sounds like a lot of runs to me.

Roch,
PLEASE say the rumor about you replacing Anita Marks is true. She is absolutely horrible. A not very knowledgeable sports "personality" with no ties to our town. I am sick of her pretending that she understands the plight of Baltimore fans. Would be great to have a Baltimore guy in the booth with Garceau.
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No truth to it, and I haven't heard the rumor beyond a few readers here pointing it out. I'll always been grateful for the way Anita promoted my work and continued to put me on the air. She's done a lot to advance my career. - Roch

I thought it was her JOB to promote you Roch? She works for MASN, you work for MASN. To me she needed you to attract listeners.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's not her "job," Jeff. Her contract didn't require her to mention my blog a certain number of times. She never had to put me on her show when she first got here, but she always wanted me to co-host - despite the fact that I'm not exactly polished on the air. The arrangement benefitted both of us. She wouldn't have done it if I was dragging down her show. But she's been very loyal to me (she pushed for me to bring my blog to MASN long before I took The Sun's buyout) and has shown an appreciation for my work that I'll always...appreciate. - Roch

Are the rumors true that you are replacing Anita Marks on THE FAN ?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Is that really a rumor? No truth to it. – Roch

- Nah, just messin...Are you guys posting any videos/interviews of Fan Fest in the media lounge?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm not sure, but probably not if they're not already posted. I haven't checked. - Roch

Roberts S
Jones R
Markakis L
Reimold R
Scott L
Tejada R
Wieters S
Atkins R
Izturis S

I like Jones in the 2 slot, Reimold I see more developing into more prototypical run producer

I normally wouldn't have posted after 129 posts, but I just had to jump in on a random comment I read. mstrchef13 was complaining about B_O, which I am all about b/c that guy is a bum, but then went into the sob story about his life as a teacher. Both of my parents were teachers, dad is just about to retire after 45 years of it. 1) you get paid in the summer, the job is an annual salary - you may ELECT to get paid more during the school year and forego paychecks in the summer, but it's an option. 2) don't complain about getting a second job in the summer. You still get regular vacation during the school year, then you have 2.5 months off in the summer, so if you pick up a "second job" you are really just working the same amount of time as the rest of us stiffs. Being a teacher is a choice, if you don't like it, don't do it - find another job. Teacher's do deserve a lot of respect b/c it's not an easy job, but no need to cry about it, a lot of people have difficult jobs...

Roch said: "I wouldn't give Adrian Peterson the ball again unless there's a handle on it."

Roch--Then when Peterson fumbles, we'll be sure to hear that he couldn't find the handle.

Craig (with dots) - welcome back! Good to see you!

Roch,

I really don't see why people are so hung up on the lineup and where everyone is going to hit, since matchups will change day in and day out. It is fun to speculate, though. In the spirit of speculation, here is my proposed lineup:

1. Brian Roberts 2B S
2. Adam Jones CF R
3. Nick Markakis RF L
4. Miguel Tejada 3B R
5. Matt Wieters C S
6. Nolan Reimold LF R
7. Luke Scott DH L
8. Garrett Atkins 1B R
9. Cesar Izturis SS S

Keep the speed guys together (Izturis 9th, Roberts 1st, and Jones 2nd). Your best overall hitter hits 3rd (Markakis). Tejada hits fourth for me, since he is a high average hitter who drove in 86 runs last year while hitting 2nd half the time. Keep in mind, he was likely hitting with 1-2 outs, since the pitcher hits 9th. I think Matt Wieters is our next best hitter right now, especially after his September last year. I think Reimold is our best and most consistent power threat, which is why he's hitting 6th. Chances are one or more of Tejada, Markakis or Wieters are going to be on base when he hits. Luke is hitting seventh because he's so streaky. If he's hot, he's hitting 4th or 5th. Atkins could also move up if he proves that he's put his struggles in Colorado last year behind him. There you have it!

Brummie - low blow against msterchef. That's MISTER Chef to you, sir!

I could live with any of these lineups IF they were being exchanged at the first game of the 2010 World Series.

wow roch, sore loser. i guess you didn't notice the horrendous officiating against the saints throughout the game as well. cheap personal foul call when poor brett favre got hit on a 3rd down early in the first led to a td drive. the passing interference call against the saints in the endzone in the fourth quarter, which was suspect, led to game tying touchdown. a lot of other knick knack calls all day.

my pass to meachem at the end never touched the ground without him controlling it, show me an angle where i'm wrong.

bad officiating goes both ways. don't try to ruin what the saints accomplished because you're bitter.

great blog though!
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The officials took over the game in OT, which they should never do. And check with the folks at the NFL Network who were ripping the officials for the pass interference call, and the no-call on the hit to Favre's knees. - Roch

Brummie, You're absolutely right about Tejada's dishonesty being wrong. I couldn't agree with you more. How do you tell your boys about that? Valid point.

Well, it might be easier if you'd also tell them about Miggy's acts of kindness to the less fortunate. Of his assistance to earthquake victims in Haiti.

That would be the way to go. Let your boys see Tejada as a honest-to-goodness, flesh and blood human being who is capable of doing bad things, but also capable of doing selfless charitable acts.

That's what you could do if you had a shred of intellectual honesty and weren't too busy setting up straw men to knock down to acknowledge that people are a little more complex than you make them out to be. Your choice, dude.

How about
2B-BRob
RF-Markakis
C- Wieters
LF- Reimold
DH- Scott
CF- Jones
3B-Tejada
1B-Atkins
SS-Izturis

Personally, when/if Tejada leads the league in GIDP again, I want him doing that in situations where he is taking the bat(and the chance to drive in runs) out of the hands of the best hitters on the team...Markakis is a perfect 2 hole hitter and has good OB skills and can run well giving him much less chance to induce so many DP's.

To me, the lineup depends on how Atkins does. If he hits like he did two years ago, you've got a potential cleanup hitter. If he hits like he did last year, you have a No. 8 hitter.

Who dat from the Who Dat Nation

Roch,

First, great meeting you on Saturday, it was nice seeing so many Orioles fans in one place. It got has me ready for Spring!

Second, the lineup card I would send out there would look something like this:

Roberts 2B
Izturis SS
Markakis RF
Tejada 3B
Jones CF
Wieters C
Reimold LF
Scott DH
Atkins 1B

My reasoning for this lineup is that Izturis is such a great contact hitter, he would be great hitting behind Roberts. I also think that at least early in the year you put the young players in less pressure and let them dictate by their play that they move up in the lineup. Also when Luke eats up you can bump him up and it also let Atkins ease into the lineup without pressure.
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Great meeting you, Steve. - Roch

Roch,

One really puzzling thing about Minnesota was their bizarre play calling at the end of the game. They got to the NO 33 which is far from a sure field goal (50 yds is probably 50% at best) with 1:06 on the clock.

Then they ran twice running the clock down to 19 seconds. Why? They really needed another 10-15 yds to get into good FG range. Just made no sense at all. It was as if they were on the 10 yd line and thought they had a gimme. Then of course the penalty occurred and pushed them back to the 38.

I think their coach learned too much from Andy Reid and his wacko play calling.

Roch would u tAke the job on the fan if they offered it to u? ur good when u fill in u and zinno could argue
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But who would handle the blog? - Roch

Hey Roch! Thanks for your work covering fanfest for those of us that couldn't attend.

I like the last lineup you posted but I would flip flop Tejada and Jones. The reality is that Miggy isn't a power hitter any longer, but more of a gap guy, plus he is a double play waiting to happen. I know that Jones had "swinging for the fence" syndrome last year but he'll correct that. At least he has the potential to be a true "4" hitter. Why not do it now and see what happens when .500 is the realistic goal for this team?

BTW - in defense of Anita she often referenced your blog and whatever insight you had to offer and it added to their show as well as promoted your blog. It wasn't a MASN thing as one suggested but a mutual respect. She was definitely a bit long winded and a lot of people wanted her to be a "homer" but I grew to like her back and forth with Scott.

Anyways, speaking of long winded (I haven't posted here for quite a while), thanks Roch!!

I'll never get over how the NFL can have a replay in slow motion from 6 different angles and STILL make the wrong call. Happens every game...get rid of replay.

Does B-O have a colonoscopy EVERY day?

I posted my lineup on Saturday and I'm sticking to it: Roberts/ Tejada/ Markakis/ Jones/ Wieters/ Scott/ Atkins (or Aubrey or Wigginton)/ Izturis. I agree with you that Roberts gets a lot of doubles and he also walks a good bit and steals a lot of bases. So Roberts walks, steals second and third and scores on a Tejada ground out and we're off and running. The reason that I have Jones batting third and Wieters batting fourth is that Jones had 19 homers in 216 at bats last year and Wieters had 9 homers in 146 at bats. But bottom line, you go with the hottest bat where it's most effective. If Atkins is successful in reviving his career and starts hiting the ball out of the park, you might want to move him up in the lineup. I'm ready: PLAY BALL.

Can't believe the Brumster is putting down teachers now. Tejada I can understand... Wigginton I can understand... but personal attacks on peoples professions is uncalled for I am surpised that post got approved.

It would suck around here if people started crapping on reporters (brummie being a reporter of course).

I've met Brummie. It didn't register as a highlight.

I would request that constructive posters like mstrchef13 stay and brummie stay if he can keep his barbs towards Tejada, Andrew and Peter.

If he wants to make personal attacks he should post them on the Nationals side. They could use the posts and 99% of the people coming to masnsports.com wouldn't have to sift through it.

this should be the lineup based on talented and situational hitting...

Roberts- who else (switch)
Tejada- led NL in doubles last year, alot of hie doubles will come with b-rob on base (right)
Markakis- natural 3 hole guy (left)
Jones- will solidify his all star status in 2010 (right)
Wieters- kicks ass out of the 5 spot (switch)
Reimold- will knock in a shit load of runs with these guys ahead of him (right)
Scott- ditto, may also benefit hitting from a spot with less pressure (left)
Atkins- needs to prove he can come back from his down year before he bats higher (right)
Izturis- love having in front of roberts in the later innings (switch)

this lineup will make it trickier for opposing managers when bringing in situational relievers.
looks good to me...lets go O's! in 2010

Roch,

Have you had a chance to ask Trembley if he will use Tejada as the backup SS, thus keeping Andino off the roster and giving us another bat to use late in the game?

BTW, my lineup would look like this

Roberts
Markakis
Reimold
Scott
Jones
Wieters
Tejada
Atkins
Izturis
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I haven't asked, but keep in mind that the move isn't "official" until he signs tomorrow. We'll be able to ask more specific questions about him at that time. - Roch

mstrchf13 - Please don't feel like certain posters are reason to leave the blog. You can ignore them and contribute to the rest of the discussion. That said, for what it's worth my own time of not posting but still reading was therapeutic. You realize the reasons you are posting to begin with, and it has nothing to do with sparring with the closed-minded.

If Tajada is the best we can do for a clean up hitter, we're going to be in trouble. This isn't the same guy we signed in 2004.

I've read all 141 posts to this blog and here's what I am most impressed with:

1) LibrarySteve stated that it doesn't really matter what the lineup is, the hitters must have a plan. As he mentioned, we started the 2009 season(3 games) with great patience, taking pitches, working deep counts . . . . and then all of a sudden . . . . poof! It was gone. Shortly thereafter, Dave Trembley made his infamous comment about favoring a "fastbreak offense"????

2) In discussing Miggy's GIDP's, Paul Clark makes a great point. If it has to happen and we know it will, let's just make sure he's not taking the bat out of some of our best hitters hands. For that reason I bat him eighth, ahead of Itzturis . . . no where else.

That being said, here's my lineup:

Roberts
Jones
Markakis
Wieters
Reimold
Scott
Atkins
Tejada
Itzturis

The future is now! Put the young guys in the postions that they hit in the minors. remold has proven he can handle the five spot. Wieters flourished in September when he was moved up.

Batting Tejada fourth is ridiculous. His power is way down and do you really think DT will have the guts to move him when he proves it. Remember how long MelMo continued to hit 5th last year???

Right on Roch.
Glad she has helped you out. I am grateful as well if she assisted in advancing your career. This blog is THE source for all things Orioles, and I know all TRUE O's fans who read it greatly appreciate it. Even the false fans like KPB, BO, and Paul contribute in their own way. Maybe if they would only gripe about the same issues once a week instead of five times a day, they would at least be tolerable, and a nice "glass is half empty" view of things. But, until that happens, I will continue to scroll on by.

In reference to the article, I like Miggy batting second with Jonsey cleaning up. Let the other pieces fall where they may.

Lineups don't matter except in extremely bad cases (i.e., hitting your worst hitters first); this has been statistically demonstrated. Put your best hitters at the top and your worst at the bottom. Players get all huffy over their spot in the lineup, but in the American League, it's all the same. Just take your turn at bat.

Roch,

Why don't the Orioles seem to be going after Jim Thome? They could trade Luke Scott and I'm sure get another good prospect or a decent starting pitcher out of him. I'm sure Thome would rather come to Baltimore and be an everyday DH instead of a pinch hitter in Minnesota, I read that he would be a pinch hitter on MLBTraderumors.com. Thome has allways hit well in Oriole Park and would be a great addition. Just look at what the lineup could look like.

1. Roberts
2. Markakis
3. Jones
4. Thome
5. Tejada
6. Weiters
7. Reimold
8. Atkins
9. Izturis

To Brett:

Just to clarify... I don't know where your parents teach/taught, but here in Harford County, Maryland, teachers get paid 10 months, not 12. The only people who get paid year round are year round staff, i.e. administrators and administrative staff. Oh, and to call my defending my profession against the likes of Brummie a SOB STORY? Wow. That's almost as disrespectful as what he originally said, especially since you don't know the rest of my family situation (not that you would care, it would be more sobbing on my part, boo hoo, poor poor mstrchef).

Damn. Some people just... whatever.

I would like to point out that everyone calling Tejada a "liar", and chastising the front office for his signing; are likely the same idiots who booed Huff after his radio "incident". It is also these same people who cheered him 30 seconds later (at a game which I attended) as he trotted the bases after smashing a 2-run homer. I swear that some of you are the biggest fairweather fans I've ever seen. People make mistakes, I'm sure that all of you aren't perfect either! Just a thought.

Roch, you da man!

Roch,
Hoping you can answer a bizarre question for me that has confused a friend and I for years. On the HOF program with Ripken and Gwynn, Ripken appears wearing not his "#8" O's jersey but an O's jersey with what appears to be a "#34" or a ##32" on it?????? Any ideas what this could be about????
Thanks!
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I've never seen it, so I can't give you an answer. Sorry. - Roch

Here's my take:

Brian Roberts 2B
Miguel Tejada 3B
Nick Markakis RF
Garrett Atkins 1B
Luke Scott DH
Nolan Reimold LF
Matt Wieters C
Cesar Izturis SS
Adam Jones CF

Adam Jones can be the secret lead off man at the bottom of the order, but he does have some good power. So, perhaps Atkins can be the ninth guy and Jones in the four hole. Or, perhaps, Jonsey can be put in the fourth hole and Atkins in the fifth and Scott in the sixth where he has better numbers (that is Scott in the sixth slot). Then again, I might like Nolan in the 2nd spot with Tejada in the ninth spot getting doubles and B-rob in the lead off spot getting doubles. Nolan can bring them all home or get a single and steal a few bases.

Revised Order

1. Brian Roberts 2B (Speedy & Doubles Man)
2. Nolan Reimold LF (Contact and Homer hitter)
3. Nick Markakis RF (all round player)
4. Adam Jones CF (Potenital Power Threat - Contact (Free Swinging))
5. Garrett Atkins 1B (Potential 2nd All Round Player)
6. Luke Scott DH (best stats in sixth hole)
7. Matt Wieters C (Back up Power hitter
8. Cesar Izturis SS (Lame Duck)
9. Miguel Tejada 3B (ninth hole for less chance of double ground outs)

Paul Clark, You write: "Personally, when/if Tejada leads the league in GIDP again, I want him doing that in situations where he is (not-KF) taking the bat(and the chance to drive in runs) out of the hands of the best hitters on the team...Markakis is a perfect 2 hole hitter and has good OB skills and can run well giving him much less chance to induce so many DP's."

Paul, you're fixating way too much on one relatively minor stat. The fact of the matter is that when he signs, Miguel Tejada will be one of the best hitters on the Orioles, if not the best hitter on the team (and I think a case can be made for that).

He hit .313 last season, which is twenty points higher than the best average any Oriole had in '09 (Nick Markakis - .293). His 199 hits were eleven more than the top Oriole (Markakis - 188). His mere 48 strikeouts in 635 at bats was a vastly better ratio than any Oriole had, showing him to be a very solid contact hitter (and hence the GIDP, which you can't do if you're striking out).

His 46 doubles topped the National League and was bettered only by Brian Roberts' 56. His 86 RBI would have been second on the club behind Markakis' 101, and this despite the fact that for part of the season Tejada batted second for the Astros, not a great spot to knock in runs and at other times batted fifth behind sluggers Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee, which further limited his RBI opportunities. If Miggy batted clean up he'd have a realistic chance at another 100 RBI season for the O's (remember, he set the club record with 150 back in 2004, so the man knows how to drive in runs when given the chance).

In other words, Miggy is right in the mix for the best hitter on the team. I'm predicting he'll have a better season this year because of the solid hitters surrounding him in the lineup, because he'll only have a one year contract and will want to prove his worth, and because he's back in Baltimore, where he'll want people to remember the kind of player they traded away.

If he and Garrett Atkins can deliver anywhere near what they're capable of doing and the pitching can improve from last year (can't see how it could be any worse), this could be a turnaround year for the O's and the beginning of more good things to come. Tejada can have a central role in that turnaround, so don't sell him short.

My two cents

Roberts
Markakis
Jones
Reimold
Tejada
Scott
Weiters
Atkins
Izturis

I can't help myself...

I love this blog, but acting like the Saints were given that game is akin to acting like San Jose State was robbed of a national title bid. Don't get me wrong, those calls (with the exception of the Meachem call--if the ball never touches the ground, it's live until it's controlled, and Meachem controlled it before it touched turf) were pretty sorry...but so is officiating in general. The refs have been made active participants in the game, which is completely bogus. The NFL's rules and obvious biases are completely at odds (the QB is treated like they're all made of 300 year old china 90% of the time, and yet he gets penalized for avoiding a sack). It's not just one game, one league, or one conference. Referees are HORRIBLE throughout football. It's harder and harder to watch all the time...but I'll definitely be tuning in to more of the Super Bowl coverage than I ever have before.

Roch, I absolutely adore the blog. It brings me 1,300 miles closer to the team I've loved for as many of my 28 years as I can remember. But you took the opportunity to editorialize on football, so I had to say something.
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And I'm glad you did. Thanks for writing. But Meachem never had control of the ball and it hit the ground. :-) Roch

I really like Kevin's lineup from the last orioles championship team. It gives us a baseline for judging this year's team and their chase of winning the division (the goal). Comparing the line ups, this years team comes up a little short especially in power, but much better than when Andy took over. Pitching is a developing story.

Kevin, keep your eyes wide open and your head on a swivel until the mission is accomplished and you return to see them orioles in person. Hooah.

mike
2005-2006

Gotta love how everyone is so PC and sensitive on here. People direct borderline obscenities at me and no one raised an eye lash. But I LOL at a teacher and "OH MY GOD, BRUMMIE IS THE DEVIL! BAN HIM ROCH."

Your job is your choice. No one forced you to become a teacher. The days of indentured servants and inherited careers are long over. You chose to be a teacher in Uni.

So deal with it if I dare to LOL at you. I seem to remember a few sarcastic comments about my career choice coming from you and a few others on here.

And for the record I was not mocking your career, I was LOLing at the fact that you claim to be a teacher yet find plenty of time to respond to my posts throughout the day. I mean, at least I am on a computer/blackberry/i-phone all day, but you should be teaching/grading papers/doing lunch duty (LOL LOL).

Good riddance MasterChefy.

I'll still be here long after you leave!

Now back to baseball......

Frankly I hope the O's avoid signing another veteran starter. Competition is good and I think having Tillman, Berken and even Hernandez battle it out for the 5th spot in camp would provide a positive and competitive atmosphere in ST.

We all saw what happened last year when jobs were handed out like candy!

Tillman would probably have the inside track at this point, but Berken started to turn it around towards the end of last year. He and DH had a lot of starts between them and each had moments of brilliance. I'd like to think they can build on their experiences last year.

Aren't we a significantly better team with Tejada at SS over Izturis?! I know we lose a lot defensively, but Cesar had a pathetic year at the plate last season (64 OPS+, and that was only because he got hot the last week).

I'd much rather see Wigginton at 3B or Aubrey at 1B in the lineup every night. Let Atkins play the other corner, whichever is open. Izturis really shouldn't be anything more than a defensive replacement at this point.

My ideal lineup:

Roberts, 2B
Jones, CF
Markakis, RF
Scott, DH
Wieters, C
Tejada, SS
Reimold, LF
Atkins, 3B
Aubrey, 1B

Bench: Pie, Montanez, Wigginton, Izturis, Moeller

Rotation:

Millwood
Guthrie
Matusz
Tillman
Bergesen

Pen: Gonzalez, Johnson, Meredith, Mickolio, Hendrickson, Sarfate

That means that Hernandez, Albers, Castillo, and Berken don't make the team. I'm choosing a 5-man bench and 11-man staff, but we all know the O's will take the extra pitcher north. I also expect that Albers will make the roster since he's out of waiver-free options, while Mickolio can still be optioned freely.

The amazing thing is the staff we will likely end up with in Norfolk:

Arrieta
Hernandez
Patton
Berken
Erbe

Mickolio, Castillo, Gabino, Lebron, Perreault

Throw in Britton around mid-year, and this staff is better than a few you'll find on major league rosters.

Might as well throw mine out there:

Roberts
Markakis
Wieters
Reimold
Jones
Tejada
Scott
Atkins
Izturis

Steve, can't see this obsession about gidp, do you think Washington will move Zimmerman out of the 3 or 4th spot? NO WAY , HE LED THEM IN GDIP ALSO, You put Tejada where he has produced before and let him swing,he has consistently produced over the years , o's got him to produce runs, let him do it. Now I can see Scott (too inconsistent) being moved down, but Ithink he just has to play less, seems like when he's full time the other teams catch up with him or he just seeks that same level he's always produced at.can't wait for the bell to ring, and really see who's left standing out of the bullpen,Iguess the sore arms,etc will work it's way in
to the mix and it will sort itself out.

Nice post, Roch.

At the risk of beating several dead horses:

Roberts (natural lead-off)
Jones (2nd, to discourage HR heroics)
Markakis (where he's happiest)
Reimold (our best and most reliable hitter, IMO; 25-30 HR if healthy)
Wieters (protects Reimold, power stroke getting more consistent)
Tejada (protects Wieters, especially if encouraged to selectivity)
Scott (first half of season, protects Tejada)
Atkins (at start, getting acclimated; later, switch w/ Scott)
Izturis

If everyone plays to potential, the most interesting line-up in years.

PROBLEMS
1.DT's stupidities, which cost the O's maybe 6-8 games last year, IMO.
2.DT will probably take Wieters out of the line-up for 30+ games,
which would make finding a back-up C who can hit at least decently
a priority. When there aren't big mashers, then there has to be a
consistent threat at every position every day--no holes.

MORE HELPFUL MOVES?
1. Trade Andino; use Tejada at SS when necessary.
2. Trade Scott for a more reliable DH--Thome would be lovely.
3. Add Turner and Montanez to the bench.
4. Get rid of Wigginton at all costs.
5. Woo Bedard with a 3-year deal: low pay plus incentives the first year
(which the O's should be prepared to write off), and higher guarantees
in years 2 & 3, when he could become a real coup for the club.

If nothing more happens, I'd guess around 78-80 wins, which is definitely
movement in the right direction, but not enough, I suspect, to attract top tier talent in 2011.

Happy New Year to all! Here's to opening day!