A look at the bullpen, Snyder and Hendrickson
Monday: More on Tejada, some on Guthrie | Tuesday: Bits on Tejada, Scott and Guthrie | Wednesday: O's farm system is getting stronger | Thursday: Hendrickson back for a second year | Saturday: Examining the offense and the winter moves | Sunday: Reviewing the winter
Friday, January 29:
Roch Kubatko examines the O's bullpen: "Once Mark Hendrickson passes his physical, the Orioles will make a corresponding move to clear space on the 40-man roster. Though it would seem logical to eliminate a left-hander, Armando Gabino might be receiving some disappointing news. He's been on the bubble since his name appeared on the roster.
The bullpen on Opening Day is rounding into shape. Hendrickson, closer Mike Gonzalez, set-up man Jim Johnson and right-hander Koji Uehara appear to be set - though Uehara must prove that he's healthy. David Hernandez and Jason Berken are candidates for long relief (Hernandez also could be a one- or two-inning power guy later in the games).
The Orioles held onto Cla Meredith, so you have to like his chances, but there's plenty of competition among right-handers, including Matt Albers and Kam Mickolio. And a third left-hander could emerge - either Alberto Castillo or someone who hasn't been signed yet.
Wilfrido Perez made a strong impression last spring - he easily ranked among the most impressive pitchers in camp - but he underwent elbow surgery over the summer. The innings that he lost might need to be made up at Double-A or Triple-A before he makes his major league debut." [masnsports.com]
Steve Melewski writes on Brandon Snyder: "O's first base prospect Brandon Snyder is smart enough to know that he is likely to begin the 2010 season in the Norfolk Tides' lineup.
He'll head to spring training with the Orioles in a few weeks "out to win a job" at the Major League level, but he surely realizes that while his time may come this year, it probably will not be on opening day." [masnsports.com]
Dan Connolly reports on Mark Hendrickson: "Reliever Mark Hendrickson might have had the best full season of his seven-year big league career in 2009, but he is taking a pay cut to remain with the Orioles.
He couldn't be more content with his decision.
"We had some options out there, but it is one of those things where you really can't put a price tag on what it means to be at home," said Hendrickson, who married this offseason and lives year-round in nearby York, Pa., with his wife, Cortney, and stepdaughter Hannah. "To go home and live a normal life off the field, that plays a huge factor into it. Plus, it's a good team. There is no shortage of optimism among the players."
Hendrickson, 35, agreed to a one-year, $1.2 million deal with a $1.2 million team option for 2011, which includes a $200,000 buyout. The contract is pending a physical today. With the buyout, Hendrickson would be guaranteed $1.4 million in 2010, which is down slightly from his $1.5 million salary in 2009, a season in which he went 6-5 with a 4.37 ERA in 53 games, including 11 starts." [Baltimore Sun]
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