It is inexcusable for the Baltimore Orioles to be 2-15. It is maddening, because the starting pitching (aside from Bergesen) has kept the O’s competitive just about every-game.

While the injuries to Roberts, and Pie have hurt the offense (and limited the bench), and the injuries to Gonzalez, and Uehara have limited the bullpen – you can not blame a .118 winning-percentage on their collective absence.

You have played 5 series so far, and been swept away 3 times. That is just pathetic.

With each passing-day, the O’s are losing the important resource of time. 2010 has always mattered greatly, because the core of players you will rely on going forward are here. (or right on the periphery)

With 145 Games (89%) of the season remaining, you have to salvage as much of the season as you can. In these dark-days, I understand it is difficult for people to see the forest from the trees. Still, there is enough talent here – that if augmented slightly – the O’s can be on the cusp of 2011 contention. However, the only way that occurs, is if the O’s value every remaining 2010 game, and hold themselves accountable for improvement starting today.

Dave Trembley is not the problem with this team, but he is also not the solution. You can not fire all of the players, so unfortunately he needs to take the fall. You can not hire an interim Manager. You can not hire another first-time Manager. You need to hire someone external to this organization that has a history of performance in the Major Leagues. Someone that will walk into the clubhouse with the confidence of someone that has done the job, and succeeded.

As that new Manager would be unlikely to have the ability to obtain the Coaches he wanted in-season, the existing Coaches stay. In the off-season the Manager gets to name his own staff.

When you have identified the leadership you are going to have in place, you have to set goals and expectations. There is too much talent here, to just comfortably roll over for the remainder of this year. Start a new tonight with these 145 games remaining. My goal would be a 75-70 finish.* That would have the O’s finishing 2010 with a 77-85 record, and reasonably position Baltimore for the 2011 season.

More than anything else, what needs to happen during these remaining 145 games, is that the players you are going to count on going forward, have to get as much time as possible. The addendum to to that, is that the players that are already here – need to produce.

In particular that means Markakis, Jones, Wieters, and Reimold need to lead this offense on a daily basis. Get back to winning at-bats, showing plate-discipline, using all fields and having a plan of attack.

Another way you salvage this season is if you get Tillman, and Arrieta into the rotation to join Matusz. The more Major League experience those three get, the closer the O’s will be to becoming the team they want to be. The added bonus in my-mind is that Hernandez would then be available to greatly improve the bullpen. If the O’s are committed to keeping Hernandez in the rotation for most of the 2010 season, than they should be looking to move Guthrie. The Baltimore Orioles can simply not afford to waste anymore time in 2010, if they want to be significantly improved in 2011. If Guthrie will not be part of the 2011 staff, and Tillman and Arrieta will be – every 2010 start Guthrie makes for Baltimore is a waste of time.

This complete disaster of a start really should eliminate giving Atkins 200-250 at-bats and seeing if he can refine the power-stroke he had for Colorado. Despite 3 straight declining seasons, I was willing to give Atkins the benefit of the doubt for one year. I figured you could could bat him in the bottom third of the lineup, and give him most of the first-half. The fact that his power has been pretty equal at home and on the road, made it tolerable to give a one-year look. His lack of production so far is not the reason to move from him, but it is when coupled with the teams performance. I would have him benched with Wigginton taking over 1st, and Turner taking over 2nd. Brandon Snyder had a double, and a homer yesterday, I would hope he gets going with the goal of promoting him by June 1st.

*To those that say there is no chance of the O’s going 75-70 over the remaining 145 games, I understand the argument, but I disagree. I guess I would agree if the O’s do not start making the moves (internal moves) today that are necessary to help the roster. But as of today, those moves are still possible.

I understand that the O’s have 62 games remaining against the AL East, and all that entails. I understand that I am talking about a winning % over .500 over a prolonged stretch of play, for a team that is currently the worst in baseball. However, I still believe in a number of the pieces here.

Adam Jones has a .589 OPS. That will not continue (strike-zone judgment be damned).
Nick Markakis has a .770 OPS. That will not continue.
Matt Wieters has a .757 OPS. That will not continue.
Nolan Reimold has a .596 OPS. That will not continue.

I do believe each of those players will end the year with an OPS at .825 and above.

You look to get Roberts, Uehara, and Gonzalez back in early May. That will improve the bullpen, and improve the bench. The rotation has shown an ability to keep you in games, and I still think they can be improved.

Results matter in 2010, and everyone (Fans, Players, Coaching staff, Front-Office) should be demanding accountability. There is the talent to be better. Start improving today, and salvage this season.

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

Owner

Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.

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