The Baltimore Sun quoted Orioles Manager Dave Trembley yesterday, as saying the goal is for Izturis to join the O’s next weekend against Toronto.

The Orioles are currently carrying 12 arms, and 13 position players.

If you activated Izturis, and removed either Salazar or Pie from the roster, they would have to go through waivers; as both players are out of options.

President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail has already previously stated that someone would take Pie.

Even if you thought there was a chance you could get Pie through waivers, it would be an unnecessary risk to take.

You can not protect Salazar over Pie, as Pie is 7 years younger and more talented.

I am not excited by the prospect of losing Salazar though. At 31 years of age, Salazar is not a prospect, but he is versitile, and does have a capable professional bat off the bench.

I am not excited at all by the return of Izturis.

Izturis is 29 years old, and has had 3,315 at-bats in the Majors. For his career, he holds a .629 OPS, inclusive of a .298 on-base %. (.620 OPS, .293 on-base % in 2009)

Andino is 25 years old, and has a .587 OPS, inclusive of a .278 on-base %.

Both are capable defensive players, with Izturis being the better stolen-base threat. I think Izturis might be better at making the regular play, with Andino having superior range, and a stronger-arm.

If neither one of them are going to hit, but both can play defense; does it not make more sense to play the guy that is younger?

Besides, at-least based on Andino’s offensive production at AAA in the ’07 and ’08 seasons, there is some reason to believe he can improve. After 3,300 Major League at-bats, you know exactly what Izturis is by now.

If you wanted to keep both Pie and Salazar, you could go with an 11 man staff. However, that seems unlikely with the existing concerns of both Berken and Hill.

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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