MASN’s Roch Kubatko has selected Mickolio has his breakout player of camp:

http://masnsports.com/2010/02/notes-from-todays-workout.html

Kubtako quoted Trembley as stating,”He moved out of Montana this winter, he lived in Norfolk, he came to Florida early, he was down in Sarasota 15 days before he had to come to camp, he worked very hard,” Trembley said. “We had three conversations on the phone and I told him this was his year. I watched him run today. He couldn’t run like that last year in spring training. I think for what he could bring to us, I would be very, very, very surprised if he doesn’t do what we think he can do. I think he can be the guy, but he’s got to show it. We’ve got to see him in the games and he’s got to stay healthy and he’s got to be able to handle the workload and all that. But I just see a guy with the mindset this spring where he knows what’s on the table for him. “He’s left two seasons in a row where he’s had some fatigue. He looks very strong. He threw very hard yesterday. He can be very nasty. He’s a big boy, throws hard.”

It had been my opinion going into Spring Training, that due to available options (and previous mention of Trembley questioning Mickolio’s ability to pitch on back-to-back days) that Mickolio would start 2010 back in the Minors.

Seeing the enthusiasm that exists about Mickolio to start Spring Training, changes things. You do not gush that much about a player that is on the outside looking-in to make the 25 man roster. So you have to start including Mickolio in the projected rosters, and figure-out how the effects things. Assuming the O’s do not go with the roster-crippling 8 man bullpen, there will be 7 bullpen spots to fill. We know Gonzalez / Johnson / Uehara / and Hendrickson are locks. I am of the opinion that Ohman is going to make this team. If Mickolio makes the roster, we are talking about 1 spot-up for grabs.


One spot for arms such as Hernandez, Berken, Albers, Meredith. (Sarfate, and Simon can start looking for places in Norfolk)


I agree that on talent alone, Mickolio should be part of the roster. I have no problem with including him in that regard. However, I would have a problem with including Mickolio on the 25 man Opening Day roster, with the roster compiled as above.

Hernandez, and Berken both received extended Major League experience last-year. They do not project to be future starters in Baltimore. They should be augmenting the O’s bullpen. If you keep Mickolio (and the other five – Gonzalez, Johnson, Uehara, Hendrickson, Ohman) only 1 of Hernandez / Berken can make the roster.
Sending the other-one back to start in AAA makes little sense to me. Frankly, in that scenario I could see both Hernandez and Berken going back to the Minors, so that the O’s did not have to cut-ties with Albers.

I know that Hendrickson was not resigned to be a lefty-specialist. However, if Ohman makes the team; there is no reason to keep Hendrickson – that is, there is no reason to keep Hendrickson beyond his guaranteed contract. Hendrickson signed a $1.2M deal for 2010, with a $1.2M option for 2011. The O’s can buy out the option for $200k. Meaning if the O’s wanted to cut Hendrickson, they would have to eat $1.4M. Clearly that would be a difficult pill to swallow. I am finding it frustrating that Hendrickson is going to make this team as a long-man, because of that contract, and the fact that he is left-handed.

If Trembley, and the O’s Front Office agree add Mickolio to the roster, and they decide to keep Ohman, they should bite bullet and release Hendrickson, so that at-least 2 of 3 out Hernandez, Berken, and Albers can make the team.

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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