O's farm system is getting stronger
Monday: More on Tejada, some on Guthrie | Tuesday: Bits on Tejada, Scott and Guthrie | Thursday: Hendrickson back for a second year | Friday: A look at the bullpen, Snyder and Hendrickson | Saturday: Examining the offense and the winter moves | Sunday: Reviewing the winter
Wednesday, January 27:
Roch Kubatko says the O's will designate Dennis Sarfate for assignment: "The Orioles have designated reliever Dennis Sarfate for assignment, a move made to create room on the 40-man roster for third baseman Miguel Tejada, who signed a one-year, $6 million contract yesterday after passing his physical.
The club is expected to make the announcement later today, but Sarfate's agent already has informed him of the move." [masnsports.com]
Roch Kubatko has a few O's notes: "[Andy] MacPhail shot down the idea of [Miguel] Tejada backing up Cesar Izturis. Don't be so quick to show Robert Andino the door.
The same goes for Ty Wigginton. I noted at FanFest that he's a trade candidate, but it's not like he's been squeezed from the roster. He backed up Melvin Mora and Aubrey Huff last season. He could do the same with Tejada and Garrett Atkins.
As for the suggestion that the Orioles could trade Izturis during the season, it's possible because he'll be in the final year of his contract, but it's not like they have a hot shortstop prospect beating down the door. Not yet anyway. And they really value his defense." [masnsports.com]
Steve Melewski makes a prediction for the O's 2010 season: "While the Orioles look decidedly improved to me, how many more wins will that get them in the rugged AL East?
There are so many questions to be answered. Will the young pitchers like Matusz and Bergesen be as good as they looked in 2009? Will Wieters and Reimold hit even better than they did? How will Tejada be on defense at third? Can Mike Gonzalez be a top closer? Will ketchup, mustard or relish lead the way in the nightly condiment race? (Sorry, couldn't help myself).
I'll probably come through with a more educated prediction late in spring training, but for now I'll say a .500 season would be a solid goal for this club.
That would mean an 81-81 record, which would be a 17-win improvement and even that might be hard to do.
In addition to the overall record, the team needs to show vast improvement in the games vs. Boston and New York, needs improvement in its road record and its record in one and two-run games." [masnsports.com]
Dan Connolly writes on Miguel Tejada's return: "Wearing his new Orioles cap and smiling broadly, Tejada said he feels he doesn't have to be the main guy in 2010 but instead is joining a group of young players that is talented enough to compete in the AL East for the first time since 1997.
"This time, unlike last time, it's not about me. It's about everybody," said Tejada, who batted .313 with 14 home runs and 86 RBIs for the Houston Astros in 2009. "Now they have pitching, outfielders. They have young talent. They don't have to do much to be a winner here."
In December 2003, Tejada signed a six-year, $72 million deal with the Orioles and spent four seasons with the club, batting .311 with 102 homers in 429 games. But he became disenchanted with the Orioles' losing ways, asked for a trade in December 2005 and had it granted two years later when new club president Andy MacPhail dealt him to the Astros for five players in an effort to kick-start the team's rebuilding effort." [Baltimore Sun]
Connolly also reports the O's have made an offer to another pitcher: "The Orioles have offered a minor league contract and spring training invitation to left-handed reliever Will Ohman, who was 1-0 with a 5.84 ERA in 21 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2009.
Ohman, 32, is 11-9 with a 4.25 ERA in 324 games over parts of seven seasons in the majors. He has spent most of his career with the Chicago Cubs and worked with Orioles pitching coach Rick Kranitz in the Cubs' minor league system. Lefties have hit .204 against him in his career; right-handers have hit .260.
Ohman is expected to throw a side session for several teams in the coming week, including the Orioles." [Baltimore Sun]
Keith Law ranks the O's farm system No. 6: "A top-10 system despite the graduations of Matt Wieters and Chris Tillman as well as several lower-tier young arms speaks volumes about the organization's turnaround under GM Andy MacPhail and scouting director Joe Jordan." [ESPN.com (Insider Only)]
Ben Reiter names the O's as a good fit for Erik Bedard: "Bedard is now far and away the leader in "upside" among available starting pitchers. His ceiling is as high as anyone's in the game -- much higher than, say, that of 42-year-old John Smoltz. His downside, though, is significant, as indicated by the fact that he pitched 81 and 83 innings in his two injury-plagued seasons as a Mariner, and that he hasn't reached 200 innings in any of his six big league seasons. A return to Baltimore, which is looking like a high-ceiling club even in the AL East and which could use a cheap, and potentially dominant, veteran starter, makes sense." [SI.com]
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I'm glad our farm system is rated that highly. I just watched the top 50 prospects show on The MLB Network and the only Oriole listed was Brian Matusz at # 5. Several teams had 3 or 4 prospects. It was surprising that Jake Arrieta, Brandon Snyder,Zack Britton, and Josh Bell didnt even get a mention. I realize that the top 50 is subjective and only opinions of scouts and front office personnel but I expected more than 1 Oriole prospect to be mentioned.
Jeff
Nice job wrapping up the Orioles recent activity. I have been an Orioles fan for over 50 years and I see us getting back to the "Orioles way", strong defense, pitching and a strong farm system. I will always be an Oriole fan, win or lose, and I see a very bright and exciting future for years to come. "YOU GOTTA BELIEVE"
Ray