For those of you keeping count at home, the Orioles are more games out of first place than they have won. With the 2010 season over seemingly since April, the Baltimore Orioles are looking ahead to 2011. Making some trades to help build a young talent pool and signing a top notch head coach have the Orioles pointed in the right direction, or at least we hope.
The Orioles have ended their search for a head coach, and Buck Showalter is their man. Showalter has a great track record, building his previous three teams up to the point of winning. He led the Yankees to a post season run in 1995 before Joe Torre replaced him, and he also managed the Arizona Diamondbacks, only to leave the year before they won their only World Series in 2001.
Showalter is a strict coach who focuses on fundamentals, something this team has been lacking for some time. Interim coach Juan Samuel has done a decent job with what he was handed, but will resume his previous position as third base coach.
The Orioles made some good trades to help build up young talent. The O’s traded left-handed reliever Will Ohman to the Florida Marlins for right-handed pitcher Rick VandenHurk, who will start his time with the Orioles organization in their AAA affiliate Norfolk.
Ohman was a quality reliever for Baltimore, but with the team well out of any playoff run the Orioles decided to sell high. On the season, Ohman posted an ERA of 3.30 with 29 strikeouts in 30 innings pitched. Baltimore will miss his clubhouse presence, but they desperately need to start rebuilding.
Another move the O’s made was sending Miguel Tejada to the San Diego Padres for right-handed pitching prospect Wynn Pelzer. On the season, Tejada was hitting .267 with 7 HR and 39 RBI playing third base for Baltimore. In San Diego, Tejada will move back to shortstop, his natural position.
The move was a good one for both teams, as San Diego gets some depth and veteran leadership from Tejada, and Baltimore has another young arm that can hopefully develop and help their rotation.
With these moves now in place along with Brian Roberts and Matt Wieters now off the DL, hopefully Baltimore can finally start to improve their situation. With Showalter in charge, things will most certainly start to improve around Camden Yards.
As for what the Orioles did this week, well, after getting swept by the Toronto Blue Jays, they dropped 3 out of 4 games to the Royals. So how bout them Ravens??
Who’s Not
Welcome back Brian Roberts! On the week, B-Rob hit .364 going 8 for 22 and scoring three runs. Nick Markakis was a lot more productive than his .269 average would indicate. On the week, Markakis drove in five runs and scored six of his own while adding a home run and two more doubles. Ty Wigginton also had a nice week, driving in five runs as well and smacking three doubles. Mike Gonzalez actually had a good week, chipping in with 3.2 scoreless innings. Who knew.
Who’s Not
The entire pitching staff not named Jeremy Guthrie. Brian Matusz was horrible giving up five runs in 3.1 innings. Jake Arrieta was equally as horrible, giving up eight runs in 8.1 IP. Kevin Millwood, also miserable, gave up six runs in 5.1 innings. Brad Bergesen…yeah yeah you get the hint. Their rotation was garbage.
Even Alfredo Simon blew a save this week. At some point, their young pitching will live up to their potential. We hope.
By Andy Mindzak
