Friday, March 19, 2004

Interview with Jim Beattie in the Baltimore Sun.

Here is Beattie's assessment of the rotation:

"Kurt Ainsworth has been solid. Sidney's Sidney, and Eric DuBose has looked good. Rodrigo Lopez has to find a way to be consistent. Matt Riley and Erik Bedard are young. Omar Daal isn't going to blow anyone away, but he needs to get guys out," Beattie said.

"Sidney's Sidney." He's actually two Sidney's this spring thanks to all his offseason eating. I am not sold on him being a solid starter until I see a few starts from him this year. I really think the weight could be an issue - unless he can become a 2nd teir Bartolo Colon.

I really like Ainsworth and DuBose for this season. Both were solid and showed flashes in limited roles last year. They aren't aces but they are solid mid to back of the rotation starters.

I am definately not expecting Rodrigo Lopez to return to his form of two years ago. In fact, he'll likely be out of the rotation by mid-season. Not much to say about Daal except what a bad signing he was. The O's are best off keeping him until close to the start of the season and then cutting him if they have no injuries to their pitching staff (and yes, I know they would have to eat a decent sized contract but they are better off developing young guys).

Oh, and I cast my vote, for what is it worth, for Riley in the #5 spot in the rotation.

(Notice there is an error in the article:

Snag Vazquez from the Expos, who smartly took Nick Johnson and Miguel Cairo from the Andy Pettitte-less, Roger Clemens-less and David Wells-less Yankees.

It was not Miguel Cairo going to the Expos but outfielder Juan Rivera.)
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