http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-orioles0226,0,3367704.story

Izturis is 29 years old..

He is an upgrade over what the O’s put out at SS last year… and is fine as a 1 year stop-gap… I will also be fine if he is on the team next year as a utility player.

He is not a long-term answer, and improving on him as the starting SS has to be a priority of the organization.

You can say that you can ‘afford’ his bat in the lineup, when he is surrounded by a solid offensive core, and he provides exceptional defense.

The reality is that his offense has been so abysmal, that it makes that contention hard to stomach.
3165 Career Major League at-bats… a .629 career OPS, inclusive of a .299 career On-base %.

If he could get On-base at a .325 clip this year, I would be pleased.

I am convinced he is going to be very solid defensively, and improve the overall athleticism of the everyday lineup… but I wonder if he is the same defensive player that won the 2004 Gold Glove.

I am encouraged by the fact that he played 135 games in 2008… that alleviates some of the concern about him being able to handle playing everyday, after playing in only 110 games in 2007, 56 games in 2006, and 106 games in 2005.

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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