The Baltimore Orioles are 36-45, so the 2nd-half of their season technically starts tonight in LA.

However, the 2nd-half is usually referred to as the start of play after the All-Star break, so let us go with that.

The O’s begin their first-series after the All-Star break in Chicago to face the White-Sox on July 17th.

I think on that date, the O’s should pretty much have in-place the staff they want to use for the 2nd-half.

I would go with a 12-man staff, built like this:

Guthrie, Bergesen, Hernandez, Tillman, Arrieta

Sherrill
Johnson
Albers
Ray
Bass
Hill
Berken

Moves completed to arrive at that roster:
1) Tillman promoted; Henderson released
2) Arrieta promoted; Hill to the bullpen
3) Berken to the bullpen; Baez traded


I am not saying I expect this to happen. I understand the rationale of why Tillman, and Arrieta might not be promoted, as I explained previously in the link below:

http://baltimoresportsandlife.blogspot.com/2009/06/if-you-were-going-to-replace-hill-here.html

I just think the 12 man staff above would be the best use of time for the O’s, as you finish-up the 2009 season, and position yourself as an organization for 2010.

I do think Baez will be traded before the 7/31 non-waiver deadline, and do think that move might as well be made by 7/17 if it is going to be happen.

I have seen enough of Berken in the rotation, but do believe he can be a weapon out of the pen.

I would be willing to move Hill out of the rotation, but I am not releasing him any-time soon. As an organization, I would want to continue to work with him.

If used with more regularity out of the pen, maybe he is able to find his control.

If you promote Tillman, and Arrieta for the 2nd-half; you look at them as 4th and 5th starters for the remainder of the year. They do not have to produce at the cielings you have for them; just have to be able to consistently get you through the 5th, and allow 4 er or less.

You would only be looking for them to progress a bit start-to-start, and month-to-month. The main-hope would be that by giving them 1/2 of July and all of August in the bigs (before probably being shut-down in September), they would be that more ready to help you to start 2010.

I do not believe Sherrill will be traded, but if he was; or if Bass’s numbers continued to regress – Wilfrido Perez could become an option to be added to the O’s bullpen. The young lefty has returned to Bowie in the past week, and has not been scored on in 4 innings of work.

His control has been shoddy though, and will need to be improved before he can be promoted.

If you have this 12 man staff, combined with the O’s offense for the 74 remaining games starting July 17th; I think Oriole fans would be in-store for a very entertaining 2nd-half.

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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