I continue to believe, that the O’s should come North with a 12 man pitching staff, comprised of the following:

Guthrie, Uehara, Hill, Liz, Albers

Sherrill
Ray
Johnson
Hendrickson
Sarfate
Penn
Pauley

I believe that Baez and Walker will be traded or released prior to Opening Day. If there are injuries to the listed pitchers above… Baez and Walker become the most likely to stay, and take those rolls.

Beyond that, there are 4 pitchers who many believe could make the roster, which I believe should be on the outside looking in.

Those 4 pitchers are Brian Bass, Brad Hennessey, Alfredo Simon, and Chris Waters.

Brian Bass
1/06/82
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/B/Brian-Bass.shtml

Bass was relatively effective in 90 Major League innings with the Twins, and Orioles last year, allowing 95 hits, 31 walks, 45 k’s.

I am willing to concede he could be a bit of a late bloomer, as he did have a solid 2007 season in AAA as well. Overall though, his career minor league numbers are not impressive.

In a world where you did not have pitchers like Penn, and Pauley – who both have better resumes, and our out of options… you could keep Bass on the roster as a swing guy.

Right now, he should go to AAA Norfolk, and be available as a guy that give a spot ML start or add depth to the bullpen.

Brad Hennessey
2/7/80
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/H/Brad-Hennessey.shtml

The 29 year old, former 1st round pick has tasted some previous Major League success, saving 19 games for the Giants in 2007.

Between AAA Fresno, and the Giants last year, Hennessey pitched a total of 172.2 innings in 2008.

To me though, if Hennessey was going to make the roster – it would be by beating out Sarfate for a spot in the bullpen.

The swap would be essentially Sarfate’s strong hits per inning, and k-ratio’s, for Hennessey’s better control-rates.

My preference would be the pure stuff of Sarfate, but if Sarfate can not locate the plate at all this Spring, and Hennessey is strong… Hennessey could force his way to the roster.

Alfredo Simon
5/8/81
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/S/Alfredo-Simon.shtml

Simon showed a live arm with the O’s during his 13 innings in 2008.

The MLB Network recently televised some Winter League baseball, and Simon encouraged O’s fans again with his stuff.

I like the O’s obtaining quality arms that have not had success, and seeing if they can build a pitcher-up. There is no risk in that.

However, the last time Simon produced was at High A ball in 2004. I can not envision a scenario where he could do enough to make the roster.

Chris Waters
8/17/80
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/W/Chris-Waters.shtml

Waters pitched two excellent games for the O’s last year, including his ML debut.

Him having those two games, and pitching 64.2 innings with the O’s last year, will give Waters a lot of attention this Spring.

If the O’s had not signed Hendrickson, a case could be made for Waters, as a lefty in the ML pen.

With Hendrickson signed, and the addition of Hill… I see no place for Waters, even if a 13 man staff is carried.

Waters turns 29 this year… you are not going to carry him over Penn, who has had far greater Minor League success and is turning 25.

You are not going to carry Waters over Pauley, who also has had far greater Minor League success, and is turning 26.

So then, you turn to the rotation.

Rich Hill is going to make this team, and be handed a rotation spot unless his back just prevents him from throwing any strikes at all.

Hill’s Minor League pedigree, and his 2007 Major League success, is too much for Waters to overcome.

Liz is just turning 26 in June, and was a Baseball America Top 100 prospect for a reason.

He has dominated at the AA, and AAA levels, achieving more than Waters at a younger-age.

There is nothing for Liz to prove back in the Minors…

That leaves Albers.

It was only for two innings, but the O’s did allow Albers to pitch in Aberdeen in October.

If the O’s had concerns about his health, I do not believe they would have allowed him to pitch at-all.

Albers reported that he did have velocity at the time, and has since stated that he feels healthy.

If he can give a couple of innings in October, you would think he can be ready by April, and can
pencil him into the rotation.

Trembley has already publicly stated he would prefer Albers to start, so that he can avoid having Albers be up and down as a reliever.

If Albers goes down, and is not able to make the team, Waters will have an opportunity to make the team.

At that point, you would expect that the 5th starter would come from Penn/Pauley/Waters, with the other two going to the bullpen.

If the O’s decide to go with a 13 man staff, the 13th pitcher figures to be either Baez or Walker, not Waters.

I see Waters going back to AAA, and like Bass having an opportunity to give a swing start or two.

The tough thing for Bass and Waters will be holding off Bergesen, and Hernandez for the first call-up… along with Patton, as the season progresses.

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.

X