Heading into the 2009 season, I believed the O’s had the makings of a strong bullpen.

I thought with the limitations of the rotation, that the bullpen would be overworked at times.
I thought when you combined that overworking, with being in the AL East, that would lead to an inflation of the overall numbers…
Overall, I believed there was enough talent top to bottom, and particularly with Johnson, Ray, and Sherrill… For the bullpen to be a valuable asset.


I still think there is enough talent there, and in the system for this group to help the team, but some new blood is clearly needed.

Right now, the bullpen is comprised of the following:

Sherrill – 15.2 innings, 17 hits, 7 walks, 3 homers, 14 k’s, 3.45 era
Ray – 12.2 innings, 21 hits, 9 walks, 2 homers, 15 k’s, 8.53 era
Johnson – 18.1 innings, 19 hits, 5 walks, 2 homers, 11 k’s, 4.42 era
Walker – 9.1 innings, 14 hits, 0 walks, 2 homers, 9 k’s, 3.86 era
Hendrickson – 33 innings, 45 hits, 13 walks, 7 homers, 24 k’s, 5.73 era
Baez – 21.2 innings, 13 hits, 11 walks, 2 homers, 18 k’s, 3.74 era
Bass – 25 innings, 32 hits, 7 walks, 5 homers, 22 k’s, 5.04 era

with Sarfate on the DL.

How can the bullpen be improved? Well… I think the improvement started with Rich Hill joining the rotation, and moving Hendrickson to the pen.

That gives the rotation a higher quality starter, and adds another option to the bullpen that can extend. I think when Adam Eaton is removed from the team, that will help the bullpen as well.

I would attempt to trade Jamie Walker… if the team can not trade him, I would release him.With Sherrill and Hendrickson both in the bullpen, you do not need Walker as the additional LOOGY.

I would replace Walker with Matt Albers.
Albers is 1-0, with a 2.25 era at Norfolk…. he has pitched 8 innings, allowing 9 hits, 2 er, 3 bb’s, 0 homers, with 9 k’s.

I would replace Eaton in the rotation with Troy Patton, and replace Brian Bass with David Hernandez.

This would leave the bullpen looking like:
Johnson
Baez
Sherrill
Ray
Hendrickson
Albers
Hernandez

Johnson does not get enough k’s for me to love him in the closer position, but right now that is where I would slot him. I would use him there on a temporary basis because of his propensity to get grounders, and my desire to use Sherrill as a lefty set-up.

If Sherrill is traded at the deadline, you can promote W. Perez to replace him.

Baez faltered last night, but I would use him as the primary set-up option right now.
This can only increase his trade value, and could help stabilize things for the bullpen.

I’m not sure about Chris Ray’s head… or his mechanics… but I believe in his arm… you have to continue to use him… but you put him in lower pressure situations.

Hendrickson can help you by giving you another option for 2-3 innings at a time.

Obviously everyone still has some reservations about Albers’ shoulder, but his stuff appears to be there. When he has his power-sinker working, he is extremely effective.

I put Patton into the rotation to replace Eaton, so that I can add Hernandez to the bullpen.

Hernandez has pitched 140 innings + in 3 straight seasons, and has only pitched 36 so far in 2009.
Hernandez would figure to have the arm-strength to be capable of pitching on consecutive days. Add him to the bullpen, and let him get his feet wet in the Majors.

As he becomes more comfortable in the bullpen, he can continue to take on additional responsibilities… with the ultimate goal of him becomingthe closer prior to season end.

For the Brian Bass lovers out there… I know he has been pitching ‘well,’ lately… I guestion what that means.
I believe Bass can be performing in the capacity asked of him… and still be hurting the team with the limitations he provides.

When people talk about Bass being effective, it is important to understand the roll he has been effective with.

Has he performed as asked? Yes… he has. He has been very solid his last 10 games, particularly his 4 inning outing vs Tampa.
Has he been put into many pressure situations? No. Do you want him such situations? I do not… I see a guy with limited abilities, that would be crushed… Even with his recent solid performances… the league still holds an .895 OPS against him, and the Manager is only willing to use him in blow-out situations.

My point on Bass… is that even though he is pitching well as currently used… he is hurting the team. He hurts the team, because Trembley is not going to use him in pressure situations… I think we can clearly upgrade on him from within.

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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