Friday, December 31, 2004

The Bore-ioles

It continues to amaze me that the O's have absolutely no interest in Odalis Perez. I realize that pitchers are mad overpriced this offseason but this rotation is terrible. Do the O's really want another year like last year's mess? Do the O's believe they can develop a starting rotation that is entirely homegrown? The Orioles have announced in the papers a number of times that they won't sign any FA pitchers so I might as well forget about complaining, nothing is going to happen.

The best bet for change is through trades. Rumors are swirling that the O's could land Javier Vazquez from the Diamondbacks after he gets dished there along with a load of cash and a couple of prospects. The New York Post suggests the O's would have to give up some combination of Eric Bedard, Jorge Julio, Luis Matos and Jay Gibbons. Considering the source I wouldn't put a lot of stock in this rumor.

I believe that Bedard is by far the most talented pitcher the O's have from last year's staff. I also believe it would be a mistake to trade him at this point. He struggled with control last season but he was just returning from Tommy John surgery. Usually year two is much better control-wise for pitchers returning from the surgery. His K/9 of 7.9 last season was very good and if you toss in a little control with that stuff you have a very nice starting pitcher (not to mention he's a lefty).

My plea to the dynamic duo, if you are going to trade give up Matt Riley (if anyone even wants him) or Daniel Cabrera (so many GM's overvalue wins) just give Bedard a second year to prove himself before making any rash decisions.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On a side note, Happy New Year to everyone that reads my sporadic posts or finds these links of use/interest. Thanks for wasting some of your time passing through here. Maybe my New Year's resolution will be to give this blog more of my time...

-Brian
|

Thursday, December 30, 2004

Baseball America - Ask BA

They answered my question this week (second one down).
|

Tuesday, December 28, 2004

Monday, December 27, 2004

baltimoresun.com - Ponson faces arraignment in Aruba: "Orioles pitcher Sidney Ponson could be arraigned today on assault and battery charges in Aruba after a fight on Christmas that put a local judge in the hospital."
|

Saturday, December 25, 2004

Friday, December 24, 2004

Wednesday, December 22, 2004

The Baseball Notebook Prospect Analysis

Check it. Baseball Notebook is considering producing a product that will project career performance of some 4,000 prospects. They say,

"We would venture to publish not how the player is performing now but answers
to questions such as the following:

What is the percentage chance that this
player will ever play in the majors?

What will his best major league season
look like when he eventually reaches his prime?

In what year will that prime
year be most likely to occur?

What type of a big league career should this
player be likely to experience?

What is his current projected big league
career?

Relative to other players, what is
his overall prospect rating?

What is the player's ETA to the majors?

If he's a starting pitcher, how
will he perform if he ends up as a reliever vs.
how he would perform as a
starter?"

|

Tuesday, December 21, 2004

The 2004 Pinata Award Recipient @ Birds in the Belfry. Who was the worst O's pitcher? (There were so many to choose from)
|

Monday, December 20, 2004

Sunday, December 19, 2004

Thursday, December 16, 2004

Very good discussion going on at The Belfry on whether the O's should add a starting pitcher via free agency (the team has stated it will not sign any free agent pitchers). I believe Odalis Perez would make a great FA signing for the O's. I am also very intrigued by the rumor that the O's could be in the mix for AJ Burnett from the Marlins.

|

Wednesday, December 15, 2004

baltimoresun.com - Fishing O's cast line to Marlins' Burnett

The O's are looking into trading for AJ Burnett. A very good move if they can pull it off and get him signed long term. This guy has electric stuff. The only drawback is that this will be his first full season back from Tommy John. However, most pitchers do well after the surgery so concern should be minimal.

The crappy part of this article:

Team executives Jim Beattie and Mike Flanagan left Anaheim, Calif., still hoping to plant a veteran starter atop their rotation, but they also were prepared to enter 2005 with the same collection of young arms behind Sidney Ponson.

There is no way they should be resigned to all youngsters behind Ponson again. It is very unlikely for any major league team to have an entire home grown rotation. The O's will be lucky if two of their young pitchers pan out.
|

Sunday, December 12, 2004

Saturday, December 11, 2004

Wednesday, December 08, 2004

Tuesday, December 07, 2004

Monday, December 06, 2004

Sunday, December 05, 2004

BaseballNotebook.com - Bonds and Giambi vs. The Age Curve

A look at the expected home run rate for both and the actual home run rate.
|
baltimoresun.com - Politics aside, Delgado worthy of endorsement:
"The Orioles are far enough along in their negotiations with Delgado that they've already resolved the 'God Bless America' issue. Delgado has notified club officials, through agent David Sloane, that he would stand for the song if they ask him to stand.

'Carlos has said he will never do anything that puts himself above the team,' Sloane said. 'There is no policy on the Blue Jays regarding 'God Bless America.' If he signs with a team that has a policy that all players must stand on the top step for 'God Bless America,' that's what he'll do.'

This is a sensitive issue for the Orioles. They respect Delgado's right to have his own political viewpoints, but if Camden Yards becomes his new home, they would consider it his workplace. And they don't want to cause a distraction for other players.

Apparently, Delgado is fine with that, further proof that he's as solid a person as he is a player. The Orioles know they'd be lucky to get him, and probably will make an offer before heading to the winter meetings on Friday. "
|

Saturday, December 04, 2004

ESPN.com - MLB - Neyer: What about the numbers?

Neyer argues against the astrisk for Bonds:

"And whether you like it or not, that's the way it's going to be with Barry Bonds. Bert Campaneris doesn't get an asterisk to denote his fluke, Todd Helton doesn't get an asterisk to denote his home ballpark, and Barry Bonds doesn't get an asterisk to denote his "cream" and his "clear."

The numbers tell us what actually did happen on the field. That's all the numbers are supposed to do. And for the most part, that's all we ask of them. "
|

Friday, December 03, 2004

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Rockies pitcher Neagle cited for solicitation: "Denny Neagle was cited Friday for solicitation after a woman in his car said he paid her $40 for oral sex, police said. "

Nice work buddy...
|

Thursday, December 02, 2004

Wednesday, December 01, 2004

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Angels ink Cuban IF-OF Morales to six-year deal

A young power hitter who can play 1B, 3B or OF. It's possible he could win a job out of spring training.
|