Find MASN on your cable or satellite provider.

Roch-

Do we have interest in Leslie Anderson?
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Haven't heard. - Roch

Although Sarfate did miss his sisters wedding rehersal...

The bullpen is coming into shape. Ashame it is a YEAR late.

Everything is late with this front office. Last year the bullpen was ignored despite it being a glaring need. This year Andy has given us false hope with the bats. I guess by 2020 he'll finally get around to signing a power hitting cleanup guy. LOL

I can only hope Trembley knows how to manage the pen better this year. Last year he looked like a high school gym teacher managing a class softball game when it came to dealing with the 'pen.

Roch: Is Mr Jim Hunter doing the Hot Stove as well?

Despite the time delay and invite to a massive party sponsored by Sony here in Berlin, I might try to be home at 2 a.m. to listen online.

I feel like I need to hear Hunter talk about "all the great things Andy is doing here." LOL

Weird situation about Bedard...I think he WAS a great pitcher but I do not like his behavior make up and do no twant it ion the O's...we have a happy young group and it needs to stay that way....unless he is healthy and wants to come here then bye bye in my opinion...yuor bullpen outlook is right on...I hope if healthy that Ohlman does sign that conract..but iof not then Gambino gets a look....unless someone else pops up...poor Sarfate...the guy just sounds hurt...I am sure that the last few cuts after ST are going to be hard to make again this year...there are known names going down to the minors or gone period....that is why they play those meaningless ST games....80 here today in FL Roch to rub it in...come on down early..

The bullpen is rounding out. I am glad to see they have quite a few who will be fighting for a few spots. We all know how safety and numbers work out!

I feel bad for Dennis. His seems like a really nice guy who wears his heart on his sleeve. I believe this hurts him on the mound. He needs to become more of a pitcher than a thrower but he may never have the command to do that. He may actually improve his chances of making it again by throttling back (or maybe that just lumps him in with all of the other arms?). However, I was surprised he stayed on the ML roster last year given his inability to throw strikes even when he was just needed for a batter or two. That doesn't get it done.

Also, given the positive press that Wilfrido Perez receives and his good minor league numbers, is there a reason he never pops up on any top 10 Oriole prospect lists?

Lastly, I think another starter would greatly bolster this team's development, but the situation is far less grim (and I don't mean Russ) than last season to start the year. I will miss all of the Eaton jokes though. Maybe we can keep those going just for fun.

Roch --

In Keith Law's rankings of the top 100 players for ESPN, Miguel Sano is ranked #97. I assume it's random, but is there any special reason why he's wearing an O's hat in his picture?

Thanks for the great blog.

AJ
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ESPN would have to answer that one. I guess that's the only shot they had of him, and the Orioles gave him a hat when they scouted him. - Roch

Roch,

Any chance you can take Anita's old job.
THANK GOODNESS SHE IS GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Since Brummie like drawing attention to himself ...

Source Wikipedia... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brummie

Brummie (sometimes Brummy) is a colloquial term for the inhabitants, accent and dialect of Birmingham, England, as well as being a general adjective used to denote a connection with the city, locally called Brum. The terms are all derived from Brummagem or Bromwichham, historical variants or alternatives to 'Birmingham'.

Stereotypes
A study was conducted in 2008 where people were asked to grade the intelligence of a person based on their accent and the Brummie accent was ranked as the least intelligent accent. It even scored lower than being silent, an example of the stereotype attached to the Brummie accent.

Brummie_Oriole ?

Roch, I associate Brummie with abusive behavior via comments on the website you and MASN should strongly consider his removal from the blog. He abuses the Baltimore Fans and the team. Many sites have ways to report behavior as abusive so that comments like his maybe removed. I enjoy reading your blog going back to the Sun days and so do many others. We all would appreciate it if something would change. You do a great job with the Blog and it is a shame someone is out there tarnishing it.

Meanwhile weather.com tells me its 19 degrees outside but feels like 7. I'd give anything to be going down to Sarasota in 2.5 weeks.

Rock,
My prediction for Trembley........ He will not make it to the Allstar break as the skipper of the Orioles. What do you think? I just don't think Trembley is a leader for the Orioles. He coaches the Orioles like a minor league team.
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Can't predict something like that without knowing how the team's playing, but a mid-season change would be surprising. - Roch

"invite to a massive party sponsored by Sony here in Berlin"

Translation:

Berlin is code name for mom's basement

massive party sponsored by Sony = playing Playstation online

Brummie:

Did someone at Sony lose a bet? Your a massive tool.

Roch,

The players get flown into town for FanFest by the team I assume? It's not out of their pocket is it? With this ownership I gotta ask, can't assume it, also do they get paid an appearance fee for it too?
Anyway, Sarfate gets a pass on his comments, they are understandable considering the circumstances... I still say Albers should have been cut, not him. Partially torn labrum, somewhat out of shape usually, not quite the arm that Sarfate has either, all good reasons.
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Don't know how it works, but I doubt if there's an appearance fee for players. They're expected to be here. - Roch

Roch, serious question. why didn't the orioles show any interest in jon garland? this guy had back-to-back 18 win seasons, just a couple of years ago, he is an innings eater and he would allow the team to have tillman start the year at norfolk. i am not comfortable with two unproven starters, guthrie coming off a terrible year and a craeer 500 pitcher as our ace. garland signed recently for 5.3 million. i'm sure mcphail could have fit him into the budget. would appreciate your thoughts.
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They were interested last winter. Not sure what changed. He's had to settle for a lot less than he wanted two straight years. Once they traded for Millwood, they weren't in the market for a Garland-type. They were more geared toward an incentive-ladened deal with someone like Bedard. Also, Garland wanted to pitch on the West Coast. Didn't he turn down a better deal from the Nats? - Roch

I think I missed this, but what happened to Alfredo Simon?
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He's still in the organization. - Roch

The world's biggest jerk, with multiple posts from his parent's basement, pretending to be in Germany...LOL

Brummie PLEASE GO AWAY you know nothing of baseball, it takes time to change an organization the correct way.

2009 Lineup 2010 Lineup
Roberts 2b Roberts 2b
Jones CF Jones CF
Markakis RF Markakis RF
Zaun C Wieters C
Mora 3b Tejada 3b
Huff 1b Atkins 1b
Scott LF Reimold LF
Wigginton DH Scott DH
Izturis SS Izturis SS

Starting 5

2009 2010
Guthrie Millwood
Uehara Guthrie
Simon Matusz
Eaton Tillman
Hendrickson Bergeson

How you cannot be totally excited about the moves Andy m has made is absurd.

You know, some people may be pissed off that the Orioles didn't do more. But, I am extremely excited for this upcoming season. I actually think we have a shot at 90 wins. Of course this is assuming our young pitchers and hitters progress and the vets we signed don't regress any further. I think on paper we have a strong pen, and a very potent pitching staff. We still lack a huge power hitter that is needed in the AL East, but if we can get the job done with situational hitting, and good pitching I have no issues with not a lot of home runs. This has the potential to be a really exciting next step in the progression of our franchise. Exciting times for sure. Don't let the nay sayers fool you.

Roch,
I am sure I have amnesia, but what happened to Brian Bass? Not that I thought he was the second coming of Cy Young, but I figured he would be in the mix this spring. I would certainly prefer Hernadez to him though.
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He was non-tender and is out of the organization. - Roch

I sort of agree with Sarfate. If in fact he did miss his sisters wedding rehersal for Fanfest coupled with the fact Andy knew he was going to be DFA in 2 days, it is pretty cold on Andy's part.

The Orange Apologist will say a business is a business. In reality, what did it matter to have Sarfate at FanFest when he would be let go in two days.

If the facts are as stated, just another example of an organization which is ran in a hap hazard fashion.

As I have been saying, the players, fans and State of Maryland deserve better from the Orioles.

Sorry Roch I don't think I'll be able to listen to the Hot Stove tonight. I got an invite to gigantic party sponsored by Universal Pictures, Miller Light, Jagermeister, Anheuser Busch, Bacardi, Budweiser, Sony, Samsung, Apple, Lexus, and Mercedes Benz.

My best friends Jay Z, Beyonce, Bono, President Obama, Miley Cyrus, Angelina Jolee, Paris Hilton, Oprah, Madonna, Brad Pitt, Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are all going to be there.

I just can’t miss it, sorry Roch.

Nice gesture by Sarfate. I for one didn't take his choice of words personally and understood his frustration, but that's just me. Maybe it has something to do with the amount of five hour trips I've taken from here to VA in the last four years?

Sarfate is a class act. He will be missed and I hope he catches on with another club and does well. I understand the O's move, but I can also understand Sarfate's frustration.

However, it does speak to a situation that bodes well for the club, e.g., when you can let someone with Sarfate's potential go because of the depth of your bullpen, and the better options presented by those retained.

Championships are won with pitching and defense, with emphasis on pitching. The Orioles are on the cusp of having their young guns emerge as stars while a veteran like Millwood (new "ace")and a Jeremy Guthrie not bearing the "ace" burden, can help stabilize the entire staff.

Yes, our lineup has the potential for offensive prowess, but it will be the pitching and defense that will bring us to the top.

Sarfate seems like a class act. I'd like to see him succeed on the major league level.

Roch- Do you see the O's keeping 12 or 13 pitchers on the 25 man roster come opening day?

Hypothetically, in your opinion who would get the squeeze, Andino or Wiggington, should they keep 13 pitchers? (I think Moeller and Pie are givens)Is Andino out of options?

If keeping 12 picthers, the last right handed spot in the pen is going to be a dog fight between Meredith, Albers, and Mickolio assuming Hernandez is locked in as the long guy. Berken to me is a AAAA player.

After contemplating this, I see the organization's perspective on the Sarfate move given the abundance of right handed relievers vying for what appears to be one spot.

Who do you think the mystery 3rd lefty will be if you have to make a guess at this point?
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Don't even know if there will be one, but maybe Ohman. - Roch

Hey Roch, is Tanaka still a ways away from being an option at the major league level? I assumed they had high hopes for him when he went to the AFL, but his name hasn't come up very much since then.

Thanks.
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I know nothing about him beyond the little bit that I've read, so I really can't say. - Roch

I'm a little concerned about Mike Gonzalez as the closer. He had great numbers last year as a set up man, but when put in a closers role, he blew a lot of saves. If he does struggle, and the O's move him to a setup role, who would be the closer? Would they give Jim Johnson another shot at it? How about David Hernandez? He could bring the heat in a limited role.

man that brummie is popular!

Thanks, Dennis Sarfate, and good luck. Anyone who's pals with Brad Bergesen and cares enough to text Roch to assuage his ex-fan base must be a good guy.

amarie (aka Mrs. Matusz): Have I told you lately how glad I am that you inhabit this corner of the blogo? You greatly improve the atmo around here.

TacoBill: Don’t you love it when you write a funny, obviously sarcastic post ("to true") and someone corrects you?

AK: I don’t know what to say to you other than that I’ve valued your contributions and hope you don’t leave. I’m worried mstrchef13 has gotten discouraged as well, which would be a great loss. It’s always a shame when the pathetic chase out the valuable, but that seems to be the way it works around here unless we do something about it.

Brummie-

I agree that Trembley needs to be more instinctive in how he manages the pitchers this year. Last year it seemed like he decided before the game how long he would let the starter go and then he would stick to the script regardless of the situation on the field.

That said, I'm wondering which "power-hitting cleanup hitter" you wanted the Orioles to sign. Only 30 players hit 30+ homeruns last year. Of those, only Bay (36) and Branyan (31) were free agents. Even if we assume Bay would have signed with a team that is not a proven contender (big if) I think we can agree that our outfield is probably set. So that leaves Branyan, who (if willing to come to the east coast) would have added a 30 homer bat at first base. Of course, he's left-handed and we all know that if we're adding pop we would prefer it on the right side so we stop getting mowed down by Andy Pettite et al.

It's a double league now. We'll probably have one thirty homer guy this year (Weiters or Reimold or Scott or Markakis) and that's going to be the case for almost every team in the league.

Hi Roch. Can you do a future blog entry on Koji Uehara, and what he's been up to, once some information has been gathered? Take care.

Brummie, do us all a favor (or in your vernacular, a favour) and step in front of a speeding truck on the Autobahn and spare us all your boring, inane drivel. Maybe you can hold hands with Paul while doing so.

I understand Sarfate completely. I would be a little upset if I flew across country to participate in an event and the day after I find out that I'm not on the team.

Hey Roch, can someone let the Orioles know that in their commercial found here on MLB network: http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=7150907 that they can try to at least spell receive right. (recieve?)

Is anyone else feeling the magic of baseball coming around the corner in their bones. Woooohooo!!! yayayayaya.

Ok good times. No more caffeine

Last year Albers was coming off an injury and prior to his injury he pitched really well. Hoping he regains his old form because I think he'd be great pitching in the 6th/7th inning. I think and I'm sure I'm not the only one that the starters have to have the mentality that they need to to pitch into at least the 7th inning each game. If a starter is going to throw a 100 pitches and struggle to get through 5 innings I don't think they should be starting in the majors.

Sarfate sure seems like a good person.

Roch: Koji could be huge for us in the bullpen. He was nearly lights-out for us for a couple of innings in most of his starts. Is he willing to serve there and healthy? Have you heard anything about his state of mind coming into ST?
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He's been in Japan all winter. I've had no contact with him. But I'll see him in a few weeks. - Roch

Brummie, Come on, don't hold back, tell us what you don't like the Orioles.

Uh oh.........looks like not everyone is thrilled with Andy's offseason.

http://apps.detnews.com/apps/blogs/tonypaulblog/index.php?blogid=459

Here are some highlights (or lowlights LOL) from the write up.

Atkins: He lost his starting job at one point last year??? Funny how the O's PR doctors forgot to mention this important fact.

On potentially signing Erik Bedard: "I don't think we are in a position to get a guy and he can't -- he ain't ready to pitch until June," said Orioles manager Dave Trembley.

TRANSLATION: Get me some guys who are actually healthy, Andy!

The Detroit News overall summary of the O's: "All in all, it was a mildly productive offseason for the Orioles, who certainly aren't scaring the big boys in the AL East just yet."

I'd say that the bullpen looks like this at teh exit of spring training:

Gonzalez L
Johnson R
Uehara R
Mickolio R
Hendrickson L
Hernandez R
Meredith R

That's a whole lot better than last year, with reclamation projects Baez, Ray and Albers. Makes you think these guys can actually hold down some wins or not let the game get too out of hand.

I knew people were going to cry about those comments. All you have to do is put yourself in someone else's shoes to understand what they are saying. Anyone else would have felt the same if they were Sarfate after traveling across the country to an event for a team that 3 days later you weren't going to be a part of. Of course he didn't mean disrespect. You shouldn't have had to clarify Dennis, but thanks.

Brummie_Oriole said:

Roch: Is Mr Jim Hunter doing the Hot Stove as well?

Despite the time delay and invite to a massive party sponsored by Sony here in Berlin, I might try to be home at 2 a.m. to listen online.

I feel like I need to hear Hunter talk about "all the great things Andy is doing here." LOL

Yawn.

Roch,
I think the Oriole's have had a excellent off season. Look for at the leasta a 500 season, possibly a second or third place finish. Along with all your other blogger's thanks for keeping baseball alive throughout the winter. Waiting for your daily reports from spring training.

Roch:

Tell Dummie_Oriole he needs to get a life. We get it...you hate the Orioles.

And isn't Mickolio a lefty?

Roch,
It is not good for O's for not having the show on MASN. Perez may have been good last spring. But in the real season he got hit hard when he was with the O's. Guthrie had good year a few years ago. By getting someone like Bedard would give Guthrie a fight for a starting position. Guthrie gave up too many homeruns last year to be a starter. I think Guthrie would be better out of the pen.

Spring training really needs to get here soon because I am finding myself coming back to the blog many times throughout the day only to see that there is not a new post up.

Hernandez has a ton of upside, Im hoping he makes the club. If he doesnt, though the projects as a reliever in the show they should use him as a starter in the minors so he can continue to strengthen his arm.

The Birds should hold on to Gambino over Perez. Gambino should have suitors lined up should he be released, I doubt Perez will draw any interest.

You know what...I think AM knew he would have to DFA TWO guys with Hendrickson getting $igned eventually & DFA'ed Sarfate first to actually help the guy, to give the guy the extra time to hook on with someone else so close to ST or clear waivers sooner rather than later. Whoever gets it next will be a week or more behind Sarfate with less wiggle room. He actually did Sarfate a favor, the next DFA'ed guy, not so much...

Brian said:

Roch,

The players get flown into town for FanFest by the team I assume? It's not out of their pocket is it? With this ownership I gotta ask, can't assume it, also do they get paid an appearance fee for it too?
Anyway, Sarfate gets a pass on his comments, they are understandable considering the circumstances... I still say Albers should have been cut, not him. Partially torn labrum, somewhat out of shape usually, not quite the arm that Sarfate has either, all good reasons.
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Don't know how it works, but I doubt if there's an appearance fee for players. They're expected to be here. - Roch
January 29, 2010 9:27 AM
------------------

So those that didn't show, I don't know the numbers on that, may be in the doghouse so to speak?
They really don't even fly the guys in?
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I didn't say that. I'm saying that they're expected to be there unless they have a really good excuse, so I don't think it's a paid gig. Don't know about the flight arrangements. All I know is they didn't pay for my gas to drive there, but I'm sure that's a different matter. - Roch

Roch,
I hate to say it but I'm finally fed up with Brummie_Oriole and his negativity, it's time for you to retire him. I was against banning people before because no matter how bad they were you could always find a Gem of insight or reason in their posts on occasion, his are worthless. I liken reading his posts to searching a septic tank for your 1st wifes wedding ring set after she accidentally lost them down the drain as she symbolically washed her hands of you while announcing she wants a divorce. (Please don't ask.) He needs either Therapy or to take his inane dribble to the next level and write speeches for Gov. O' Malley.

A-Marie is the guy who would search the septic tank all bad or too sad?

Brummie, There was no attempt by the Orioles to conceal the fact that Atkins had lost his starting position with the Rockies. None. And tellingly, the very blog you link to demonstrates this fact, citing MacPhail who acknowledged Atkins' down year when he predicted: "He's going to get back where he's been."

(Friendly suggestion: Next time before you submit such nonsense, save everyone a waste of time by first breaking into your piggy bank, then going out and buying a clue with your pennies.)

While the blogster, Tony Paul, isn't "thrilled" about Baltimore's moves, he doesn't "diss" them the way you do; rather, he calls it "a mildly productive offseason for the Orioles." (Note: The blog was published before the Tejada signing.)

Naturally, you want to latch onto any potentially negative part you can find, which in this case is where he concludes by saying the O's "aren't scaring the big boys in the AL East just yet."

Of course, you'd have preferred it if he'd left out the "just yet" part, because that doesn't play well in your land of perpetual gloom.

Roch, Nonetheless, it's good news to hear that Bedard's finally started throwing...baby steps.

http://www.english-events-in-berlin.de/main/welcome.php5

Might be evidence of truth, might be evidence of an ability to use Google. I'd prefer posters stick to baseball, rather than question whether other posters lie about their identities. If I were to say I'm a professional baseball player (for the record, I'm not... just go with me here), too many people would interpret that as Major League Baseball player, then probably call me a liar. In fact, I could be a pro ballplayer but just the 24-year old right fielder struggling to hit .240 in short-season A ball. My point is that it's foolish to assume that because someone claims to do X for a living they must be good at it, and since you're sure they can't be good at it, they must not actually do X for a living. How many times have you had crappy service at a restaurant, and yet, there's your waiter/waitress, employed by that restaurant? If you attended FanFest, you were at a party with Brian Matusz; it's not exactly lying. If you're the annoying guy in your office, you could very well get sent on assignment all over the place just so your coworkers wouldn't have to stomach you on a daily basis. We can't tell from a blog and from people's posts about their own identities.

What we can do is discuss the Orioles. Our opinions on them, the facts behind them, our hopes for them, and debates with the other posters to understand each other's views. If someone disagrees, go ahead and try to debate but be open-minded. If you decide they have no interest in your opinion and will only ever blindly hold to their own, then drop it (yes, mea culpa, I've been known to poke fun rather than truly "drop it"). Thanks again, Roch, for giving us that opportunity.

Roch,
Any idea why there hasn't been more interest in Chien-Ming Wang? He really seems like he'd fit the bill as the incentive laden pitcher that MacPhail mentioned the O's could go after.
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I agree. Must be some concerns about his health. - Roch

Roch: Assuming the O's don't add another starter, will Berken and Hernandez at least get a chance to compete for the 5th spot? Or is Tillman a foregone conclusion?
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They'll get a chance. - Roch

OCJ: Didn't mean to suggest that I'd stop reading the blog or responding to it. I was merely wondering why I still cared about the rantings of two people who have made it clear that they're here only to agitate.

Roch-

A few things, have you heard anything on whether the O's are interested in Leslie Anderson? I mean, its not like we have a ton of 1b prospects that hit 383 with some pop.

Also, I just have to say, I think it is a real shame to see that Sano is #98 prospect, regardless of the lists credibility. A top 8 pick is going to costs in the range of 3-5 million bucks. Sano got 3.5, the O's could have had an EXTRA 1st round pick basically. We are weak in position prospects, and could have had one right there.

The SADDEST thing is, in his picture, GUESS WHAT TEAMS HAT HE IS WEARING!!!
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I think you're the third person to ask about Anderson. I haven't heard anything. - Roch

ocj... thanks ;) I'm still hoping that Tracy and Jennifer help keep up the estrogen level around here, but I understand this type of place is always going to be pretty testosteroney. I know my place (and if you know me, it's NOT in the kitchen...), haha.

Leon... Neither all bad or sad. Smart, actually. At least she announced the divorce in no uncertain terms (i.e. English). I'm pretty smart with the French language and still have no idea what my ex said to me. I just know it resulted in signing a bunch of papers one day at lunch with my hairdresser. Liquid lunch, if I recall...

I should not have made the comment about spherical Matt, it was not my finest moment, but that said, oddly his best months are the summer months and then after the trade deadline, he's pretty terrible. I think he will grow on me and I hope I'll be a cheerleader for him in the future, but maybe he's just best suited for a short-season team? Okay, that's not very nice of me either.

His righty-lefty splits are pretty atrocious. He's just the Orioles' version of Collin Balester. Okay. I can't be down with Bally and not Albers.

Dilemma.

Roch,

I have to say it's pretty sad when 60% of the comments revolve around one poster versus the Orioles, or your post. Okay, I'm off my soapbox.

My other commment is that while it's fun to speculate on how the Orioles will do, we don't know what the chemistry of the team will be, and how resilient these players will be. Will there be a lot of dramatic moments, like the Rays had two years ago in their run to the postseason? No one knows the answer to that until the season starts.

I, for one, like Andy's moves considering what free agents were out there. I don't want to mortage our future by giving up the young pitching we've just acquired over the past couple of years. Maybe in a year or two, but not now.

Roch, I know you can't comment on Trembley, but are you looking forward to the season? Do you like what Andy has done so far?

wats up Roch, out of Ohman,Beimel,and Kojis buddy who do you feel will be signed from what your hearing??? thanks.
Personally im hoping for Ohman, has been pretty darn good against lefties in his career except last year when we was hurt.In 08 he held lefties to a .200 avg,and in 07 a .236 avg, and back with the cubs in 06 a mesily .158 avg.
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I'll pass along what I hear, but I really don't know. Koji's buddy (I don't feel like looking up his name either) has to decide whether to take their offer. Can't really predict if he will. Same with Ohman. - Roch

Roch,

What has a better cahnce of happening by October 2010-
1) The O's winning 90 games
2) Brummie getting 86'ed from the School of Roch?

Also, is it possible that Arrieta, Britton or Patton make the 25 man as a reliever? Or are they strictly grooming all 3 as starters? It would be nice to see Arrieta develop like Phil Hughes.
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Britton has no shot to make the team. He'll continue to start in the minors. I'm sure they're rather keep Arrieta in the rotation (most likely Norfolk unless he's lights-out in spring training and a spot opens). I'm expecting Patton to stay in Norfolk's rotation, too. - Roch

Cheers Sheets. I needed directions to the party and couldn't find the link. Ole Brummie is drinking for free tonight!

HAHAHA - Sheets, that's too funny. Brummie got INVITED to a PUBLIC party. Low man on the totem pole.

Pay for your gas? I was referring to ballplayers under contract to the team that live all over the country during the off season, not MASN employees.

I wasn't trying to dig @ the O's with this topic...
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Dude, I know. It was a joke. I'm saying that I only care about me, not them. But as far as I know, they don't have to pay for their airfare. - Roch

Thanks for the shameless plug. With so many outlets for info (and events to go to), its not a bad idea to just throw things out there to re-focus attention.

I like the way the bullpen is setting up. Gonzalez seems to be a doppelganger for Sherrill. Might the O's consider flipping him to a contender in August for a prospect or two - just like they did with The Brim Reaper? Of course, many things will play into that - how the O's are playing...how Gonzalez is pitching, etc. I'm not saying I think they should, just that it seems plausible.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but being designated for assignment doesn't necessarily mean that player is out of the organization, right? Being DFA'd means that player can negotiate with other teams, but could also accept an assignment to one of that team's minor league affiliates. I know it doesn't often happen, but it could. Right?

Its a long season and while it would be nice to have the same 7 or 8 guys be in the bullpen all year, there will likely be more than 15 make their way through Camden Yards due to ineffectiveness, injury or the like. Last year, the O's had 27 guys pitch for them and 10 made 8 or more starts. That leaves 17 who pitched out of the BP. Its nice to see the O's building depth. They'll likely need it.

Uehara and Albers are injury question marks. Hendrickson fills the lefty spot though I don't necessarily see him as a lefty-specialist...more of a long-guy lefty. Though its probably too much of a pressure position, maybe Britton or Erbe might get a call to fill that spot? Alberto Castillo? Some unknown FA yet to be signed to a minor league contract? JJ and Meredith seem reliable and durable. I hope Mickolio can sustain the flashes he showed last year. Hernandez and Berken could see time in the BP. There always seems to be a ST surprise. Maybe Josh Perrault, Ross Wolf or Luis Lebron dazzles and earns a spot.

Adam said:
Spring training really needs to get here soon because I am finding myself coming back to the blog many times throughout the day only to see that there is not a new post up.

January 29, 2010 11:36 AM
=================================
Amen, brother! I'm so desperate for more of this blog that I've started reading Brummie's and Paul's drivel. God help me!

Is it just me or didn't Brummie promise to stop with so many daily posts bashing ANDREW and the O's?

If I'm wrong let me know but he's been back in full force lately with numerous daily bashes.

I'm still dreaming of an "IGNORE" button......

Brummie, I am afraid of you. Please no more negativity, it frightens the sheep

I keep seeing comments to the effect that guys we recently acquired can be dealt at the trading deadline for prospects. I'm hoping that's a mindset that we're moving past now. I'm not saying it won't or shouldn't happen with some people, but it shouldn't be the first thing that comes to mind.

I for one am expecting Gonzalez, Tejada, Atkins, and Millwood to be on the team all season. Obviously performance of certain guys can change things, but I'm hoping we're done being the place where contenders go shopping at the end of the season.

So B_O, you get "invited" to a party yet they keep the location a secret from you...that's hilarious and understandable. It may be even funnier that such a successful International journalist as yourself couldn't find the link sheets posted. Thanks for the laughs!!

Roch - sorry if i missed this one - havent had a lot of time to read comments lately. If the O's do sign someone like Bedard who starts off the season injured, do they need to remove someone from the 40 or can they put him straight on the 60 day DL?

thanks!
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I don't think they'd sign him and put him on the 60. But I believe they'd still have to make a corresponding move before any DL move. - Roch

Roch,
I don't suppose this makes you feel any better, but: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2009/news/story?id=4868880

right......and after the Hot Stove you'll wing on over to London and jam with the Stones

I like this thread Roch. The bullpen situation should be the most interesting competition in ST. It's going to be a tough decision when you consider how many candidates there are. The 7 I'd take north today would be:

Gonzalez
JJ
Koji
Hendrickson
Mikolio
Perez
Hernandez

That leaves guys like Meredith, Albers and Castillo who are already on the 40 man roster and pitched in the majors, off the team. I would really like to get a good look at Luis Lebron too. From what I've heard of his skills, it would be great to have him in the pen as well sometime this year.

There's been a couple of Perez bashing comments here. (Barham, CB) I'm not sure that I get it, assuming we're all talking about the left hander Wilfredo Perez. Barham, he didn't get hit hard last year at all. He was tearing up the eastern league with a 1.something era when he got hurt, he didn't even play in the majors. CB, seriously, Gambino?

First off, does anyone really care about what a Detroit newspaper writer says about the BALTIMORE Orioles? Especially when it is published before signing Tejeda and Hendrickson?

Roch-

Everyone is asking about Anderson because he just defected like this morning. lol.

The dude hit 381. That is impressive no matter WHERE your playing. The Cuban teams has to be like the equivelant of AA.

I am a fan of 50 yrs and I am like every other frustrated O with this pathetic losing string. But this team will be far better on paper than last year’s bunch. If you don’t see that you have rochs in your head. Its no secret the pitching staff will dictate this year’s success. In 2008, after 82 games [end of June], the Os were 42-40 and played the NYY/BOS 18 times. The top four starters were Guthrie, Cabrera, Olsen and Burris. Honestly, I think you just don’t even talk about 2009 with that piece of crap starting rotation. Thru June 2010 they play 77 games and the NY/BOS 21 times. That’s not THAT lopsided vs 2008 and I would contend that if that 2008 staff somehow played 500ball, then this 2010 staff is so much better that is reasonable to think they come out of June close to 500. Then we all get to sit back to see if this team folds in the second half just like in past yrs. But remember, the prior collapses have really been lead by the pitching staff. It is truly all about the pitching.

Everyone!
Forget about Anderson. Come on, lets be realistic!
If the kid hit .381 there are going to be a lot of team interested.

Right there, that takes the Orioles out of it.
Dont forget, it is all about the $$$$$$$

Roch,

Someone asked earlier about Wang. Shouldn't there be some concern about the infield defense behind him? He's a groundball pitcher, and doesn't really miss a ton of bats. I think I'd like the move, but with Tejada and Atkins being question marks on the corners, I feel like it's understandable, especially if there are health concerns.

Also, and maybe this is just inviting the fox into the henhouse, but Brummie, I'd love to hear your ideal offseason for the O's. McPhail has revitalized the minor league system (there is actually talent coming from it consistently now), and there is actually a plan in place that would allow us to compete at some point (as opposed to before, when we were always going to be a 75-win team). I think McPhail has taken them in the right direction, and I've seen your criticisms, but am curious what you would have done different this offseason.

Either my response got lost in the email grind or (more likely) I hit "preview" instead of "submit" and didn't realize it and now I'm on the bottom.

I already said my peace about the O's choosing to let him go before a certain other pitcher that we received in the same trade, but I think it shows what a great guy Dennis Sarfate is that even though there's a very slim chance he'll be an Oriole this coming season, he wanted to make sure the fans didn't misinterpret his comment about Fanfest.

Oh and amarie, I know I've been slacking a little this winter, but now that spring is right around the corner (okay, maybe not RIGHT around the corner) I'm gonna do my best to help counter balance all the testosteroney-ness around here!!

Hey Roch,
So no one has claimed D. Sarfate yet right? Only 24 more hours and he's still an Oriole? Geez those things are confusing.

Domo arigato Rocho Kubatko

See what I did there?
Am I, you know, the first?
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He told me that he'd know for sure by Monday. And you aren't the first, but it still works. - Roch

I think the players were compensated to appear at Fan Fest its called a major league contract. It's guaranteed money which allows you to show up to a field and play a game for a lot of money. Included in that high salaray are conduct clauses and appearances such as Fan Fest. All teams have a Fan Fest and require most of their players to be there.

The date of the Fan Fest which was a subject of scorn a little while back was also the day of several other teams Fan Fest. Oddly enough they required their players to be at their Fan Fests too. Amazing how that works.

Wilfredo Perez is not going anywhere he is left handed. That is more valuable than the last donut at a police convention.

All Gambino has going for him is his family name.

Hey Roch,
So there was a guest speaker for one of my groups today at my hotel, none other than our 1983 World Series MVP! I got my personalized picture of him for my collection. I called him "Sir" and he said call me Rick, haha that was the coolest!

But the BEST part, I asked if he had his ring, he took it off and handed it to me, I had an Orioles World Series ring in my hand!!! and said man we need some more of these and of course he agreed!

I asked him if he ever gets sick of talking baseball and he was like NO, Baseball is my life. He also said that this is the most talented team since, (I interrupted and said the 90's) he said no since my playing days. (Sorry, I was only 3 in '83!)

I had to ask his thoughts on Tillman because I hear everyone thinks he should start at AAA but I disagree. He asked why, I said that he has that impressive low fastball that can be dominating just needs to work on his location, plus he's not going to get any better moving back down to AAA.

Another interesting bit from our conversation, He said our issue is consistency in August, September because we normally start off well but fade because of conditioning. He went on to say that means, instead of those 1 mile jogs, it should be 5 mile runs!

LET'S GO O'S - I'M JUICED IN JANUARY!

Roch -

As of 4:38pm, fully 35% of the approved posts to this entry (29/83) are tiresome squabbling between one troll and some heart-in-the-right-place-but-using-poor-tactics other posters. I understand that you do not want to cut your comments by 35%, but reducing these comments would really be addition by subtraction. I recognize that you may not want to delete the responses to the troll because they are written by otherwise productive and contributing School of Roch students. But when you limited the troll to one bash per day, things were marginally better. It is likely that the temptation to respond to the troll increases with every troll post allowed in a given day. Give us a fighting chance to use our best anti-trolling tactic (ignore, ignore, ignore) The fewer negative or repetitive posts allowed per troll per day, the better things get on here.

All other readers - I know it is a free country and everyone has opinions. And I know that mine are no better than anyone else's. But I will humbly submit to you that the only appropriate or effective tool we have to control the troll/pest population is to ignore them. Every response, no matter how heartfelt, how deserved, how witty, how cutting, how perceptive, how logical, or how well written only feeds, emboldens, encourgages and strengthens the trolls.

So I urge you to please please consider taking the following pledge with me:

I, (your name here), wishing to reduce the high percentage of irritating and annoying troll posts, and knowing that any and all responses to trolls only results in more troll postings and therefore more irritation to all the other students here in the School of Roch, pledge to refrain from any response to the trolls, forever, no matter how tempting it may be to smite them with the truth or to remind them of their social and mental shortcomings.

I urge all of you to please take the pledge today. Perhaps if enough of us take the pledge, and simply repeat it upon any further trollism outbreaks, we can actually manage this disease. A cure may not be possible. But keeping it better controlled? That we can do.

I, Mark C, pledge to refrain from any response to the trolls.

For those of you who take enjoyment in bashing trolls and watching them try to bash back - I am sure there are plenty of other blogs where this behavior is even more rampant and encouraged. Go there and have a ball. But for the sake of the rest of us, who like to talk baseball and engage in meaningful discussion or debate, please consider refraining from it here.

Insert Dennis Miller disclaimer here: Of course this is just my opinion, and I may be wrong.

I suppose there are those who will be taking a silent or public pledge to ignore ME.

Roch - saw this on DCRTV, for those that didnt get to catch the local 30/30s on ESPN the first time...

As part of Comcast's recently-launched ESPN On-Demand offering, which includes sports documentaries from ESPN's critically acclaimed "30 For 30" film series, digital TV customers in the DC and Baltimore areas can now watch a batch of "regionally relevant" documentaries. Including "Without Bias," about University Of Maryland basketball star Len Bias's tragic death. And "The Band That Wouldn't Die," about the Baltimore Colts marching band after the team moved to Indianapolis. They're available in the "Get Local" folder of Comcast's main On-Demand menu, under "Sports" and "ESPN 30 For 30" menus.....

I posted this earlier, but it must have been lost in cyberspace, or somewhere else between Olney and Baltimore.

Ken:
Not only did Brummie leave out the "just yet" part from the quote, he left out the final sentence of the analysis section which read:
But they [the Orioles] might be laying the foundation for competitive years in the near future.

Mark C,

Word. I share your sentiment, but I don't want Roch wasting his time filtering things because everyone else can't control themselves.

I know this is going to sound weird, but...
I think B_O and I could be friends.

Sorry, but I've lost track -- Did Sarfate clear waivers.

If he did, he'll work hard and be back with the O's by June.

If we don't have room for him in June, that'll be because things are really going well on the big team (minimal injuries, good progress for the youngsters and so forth.) If that's the case, Sarfate will still have worked hard to show his value; and he'll be part of a trade midseason. Either way -- he still has a shot with a contender. ... Yup that's right. I said "contender."

Orioles Magic -- Feel it happen!!
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Don't know yet. - Roch

I agree with Mark C and promise to only respond to soccer comments by B_O.

I had an odd thought that certain posters are like that goo from Ghostbusters 2 that thrive on negativity. The only method to reduce the negative impact is to refrain from engaging in the bickering. I actually use to think that B_O had a decent point or two mixed in with over the top criticism. Over the past 3 months, it has been truly cartoon-like. There is no angst in his comments. There is no constructive criticism. That is not a fan.

So, without further unnecessary energy:

I, JPA, wishing to reduce the high percentage of irritating and annoying troll posts, and knowing that any and all responses to trolls only results in more troll postings and therefore more irritation to all the other students here in the School of Roch, pledge to refrain from any response to the trolls, forever, no matter how tempting it may be to smite them with the truth or to remind them of their social and mental shortcomings.

smz42 said:

I posted this earlier, but it must have been lost in cyberspace, or somewhere else between Olney and Baltimore.

Ken:
Not only did Brummie leave out the "just yet" part from the quote, he left out the final sentence of the analysis section which read:
But they [the Orioles] might be laying the foundation for competitive years in the near future.
.......................
You're right. Nice catch!

Poor Brummie, it must be tough to be that relentless negative. I wonder if he has a Debbie Downer pill he takes every morning to get him going like that. LOL

Roch, Any chance of you talking to Bedard about his progress or is that roughly the equivalent of Van Helsing getting an interview with Dracula?
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Let's just say I don't like my chances. Nice analogy. - Roch

Marc C., Regarding the trolls, I feel your pain. I try to limit my responses as much as I can, because as you say, they feed on that. Sometimes, though, one of them will post something that's the blog equivalent of the loser in junior high with the "Kick Me!" sign on his back. It's just soooo tempting to give them a whack.

Until Roch decides to raise the tone of the discussion a tad by making SOR a no-troll zone (as in, beside his picture we'll also see this reminder to Brummie and Associates... http://www.troll-busters.com/mediumTroll.gif ). Also, a sign reading "Do Not Feed The Trolls" would be good.

Roch, I want to add my voice to those complaining about the shoddy way the Orioles handled the release of Dennis Sarfate, having him come across the country to the FanFest when he was needed at home, then cutting him loose.

Apparently, the Orioles weren't sure who they were going to get rid of, which allowed this to happen. I can understand how that can come about.

Still, I think a public apology by Andy MacPhail would be the high road here and the classy thing to do.

Dennis, Good luck on your career, be it with the O's or elsewhere.

Why is it that you have to pay money to read about half of the articles at the espn website?

If I'm going to pay money to view a website, it's going to be a pornsite.

Mark C.: I've pleaded the same case to no avail for close to a year now. For some reason our brethren not only zealously continue to feed the trolls, but apparently are much more invested in this counter-productive exercise than they are in acknowledging, appreciating and engaging the many smart, funny, interesting posters we have here.

This is still a wonderful blog, but it's so much less than it could be were it appropriately policed. Roch's not going to do it and, failing that, as a group we have to figure out how to summon the willpower to ignore the hate-mongers. It's a sad commentary that we've failed so utterly in this endeavor, and instead have given the trolls the attention they need to thrive and procreate, to our great detriment.

But I'm there with you, fighting the inexorable tide.

Mark C,

I will be happy to take the pledge in a few more days. I like the anti-war sentiment, but have one more battle to fight.

"You can get anything you want at Alice's Restaurant." With all due respect to Arlo Guthrie (and that's a whole bunch), (Aretha sized even), perhaps your post could possibly start a movement. Good luck and I'll be joining you soon.

Roch,

With Warner and Favre, you probably have it exactly right...at least for this week.

Brummie, thanks for posting the Detroit News link. I had read it a few days ago and was intrigued by the grades of B, A-, C, and C respectively for pitchers and hitters. Of course the article also hinted at the possibility of bringing Tejada back. I wonder if he had signed before the article what that would have done to the grading. (Of course that would have been impossible since he was delivering aid to the poeple of Haiti at the time.) The first time I read it, I have to admit, I totally overlooked the projection that the O's payroll would be about $13 million more than last year. I knew, of course that it would be higher than last year, AM made that part of the plan clear over two years ago, but I really wasn't expecting it to be so much higher than last year. Not sure if the Tejada $6 million is included in the Detroit News projection or not. Since the plan is to be around .500 this year and hope to be competitive starting in 2011, it is encouraging that even in Detroit they think that the O's "might be laying the foundation for competitive years in the near future." From The Detroit News: http://apps.detnews.com/apps/blogs/tonypaulblog/index.php?blogid=459#ixzz0e4Vl41BL

As a realist, I know that it is much too early to assume that we will be able to comptete in 2011 and beyond, but it is nice to know that even the more negative reviews of the off-season from the newspapers in competitors markets are cautiously optimistic about the O's in the near future. It makes a ralist like me fell even more assured that my own optimism about the plan (as opposed to my absolute negativety about the previous decade - all the way back to the Albert-don't-call-me-Joey-signing) is well founded. I am so glad the AM has been frugal the past few years so when we are approaching competitiveness next year that we will have plenty of payroll flexibilty for an outstanding free agent class. It sure is a gwwd thing that we didn't sign guys like Garland or Figgins, with that outrageous four year contract that would have crippled us in the free agent market next year. Good thing we were able to get Miggy for so much less. And Garland a sub-.500 pitcher in the NL West for goodness sakes! We sure don't want re-treads like them in a re-building project. Anyway, as a fellow realist, I just wanted to say,

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to reasess this article and see that it is actually much more positive than I had thought upon first reading.

PV

Mark C.,

If you are reading...this wasn't it.

Oh yeah, my...dots just reminded me. Welcome back Craig!

Brummie,

I forgot. It's nice to know we have a coach like Crow who, if anyone can, will be able to get Atkins back on track. Everyone has been focusing on Atkins year last year, that even Trembley and AM seem to have forgotten how good a hitter he has been for the previous half-decade. (Unlike Garland who has only had four about .500 year in the past eleven.) I'm sure that journalists as far away as Detroit have no clue how good Crow is at getting guys to be able to find their swing again. Just look what he did for Pie. I've got to tell you, that was one decision of AM's that I did not agree with. When he benched Pie, so early in the season, it just seemed that they were not going to give him a chance. Sort of like the Cubs have done with prospect ever since AM left them. I do wish our situational hitting were better, of course Pie and Scott both were very willing to take walks and even sacrifice themselves (Pie more than Scott) to move guys over. Of course, that is not really what Crow's job is. He's there to do what he does best, get guys out of funks. That's why I was so glad, like you, that they got Bordick to concentrate on the situational hitting. I was surprised that you didn't call KPB out when he made such spite out of Bordick being an offencive instructor, but of course, that was around the time that you were too busy to engage other posters, back in early January. Three big acqusitions in December and two more in January, man, AM is really pulling the trigger. Well thanks again. I truly wouldn't have thought about all these positive signs and all teh horrible moves we didn't make if it weren't for you.

Lucky Horseshoe - could we please leave political commentary out of it?

From what I can see, most Democrats have a troll-like certainty that Obama and the Dems did everything humanly possible to try to get bipartisan cooperation from the obstructionist Republicans.

Meanwhile, most Republicans have a troll-like certainty that Rush and Glen and Fox are accurate and that Obama and the Dems are ignoring Republicans and trying to unilaterally inflict a wildly liberal big-government system on the Country.

The only place in the real world that I see close-mindedness and simplistic one-sided thinking that rivals that of our resident trolls is in the arena of todays political discourse. I find both fox and msnbc to be about as enlightening and balanced as our little pests at the S.O.R.

I come here to avoid folks who are often wrong but never in doubt. And the trolls all but spoil it for me. Let's not invite in a whole new slew of closeminded opinions, putdowns, soundbites and oversimplifications that make up 95% of today's political analysis and debate. I just couldn't take it here, too.

Thanks.

Hey Roch,

First time posting, long time reader. Being an O's fan stuck deep behind the lines in Red Sox nation you provide a great source of information for us that are force fed propaganda from anything local.

Thanks for all your work ! OK.. enough smoke

Where oh where Mr Kubatko can a dude find the podcast of your Hot Stove show? I have trouble catching it live online. What up with MASN not showing it? Don't we own that network for a reason! It would be a great addition to the Roch world you got going here.. Please see what you can do to hook a brother up.
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I'll do my best. And thanks for writing. - Roch

Hey Roch, Rick Griffin, head trainer of the Mariners is quoted as saying Erik Bedard's doctors said his recovery from surgery for a torn labrum would take 10 to 12 months. We are seven months into the watch on him, with another 3 to 5 months possible wait. It could be May before he is ready to take the mound for anyone. I believe this is why reports surface from time to time that the Orioles are staying in touch. They know a deal for Bedard will not happen anytime soon.

Any news on Will Ohman? Wasn't he going to throw for some teams this past week? Thanks!
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I'll pass along whatever I hear. - Roch

Great party last night. Wish you could have been there BMS. LOL The tequila sunrises were amazing.

Anderson seems like a another overhyped Cuban prospect. Can anyone please point out a STAR player to come from Cuba recently? Sure we have seen some decent guys come out of there- the Hernandezs, Contreas his first few years. But in general these guys have been OK for a few years and then turned into MEDIOCRE players within a few seasons.

Besides Anderson will want lots of money which is BAD for the profit/loss.

Since there are notable Cuban defectors every year, why doesn't Andy get a CLEAR CUT policy from Mr Pete about the team's policy.

Sorry, but I get sick of the cream puff quotes about " I need to ask Peter what our policy is on Cuban defectors." And then weeks and weeks go by and nothing happens because Andy is stalling.

Other teams like the Yankees have one clear cut policy, none of this case-by-case stuff Andy seems to love.

Once the team has a clear policy on defectors, Andy NEEDS to COMMUNICATE it to the fans. We deserve to know.
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The Orioles continued to negotiate with Chapman. I wrote that there's no policy against it. I guess you missed that one, too. - Roch

Kendry Morales just had an outstanding season (.306/.355/.569; 34 HR and 108 RBI). He made $1.1 million last year, as part of a 6-year, $4.5 million contract he signed after defecting from Cuba.

Yunel Escobar (Braves SS), career .301/.375/.426. Made $425,000 last year, his highest season salary yet, and got a signing bonus of $475,000 when the Braves picked him up.