Wieters has now played the past two games at Norfolk, after dealing with his hamstring.

The first game was as the DH, and he caught last night.

If he woke-up today without pain, the O’s should be preparing to bring him up tomorrow. He would get the chance to break in, catching Bergesen as he has already done several times this year… and on Monday, he would catch Guthrie, and have the chance to bat against Harrison, who has allowed 37 baserunners in 14.2 innings.

If Norfolk had played at 1 today, it would have been ideal to give him 1 more start at Norfolk…. but they are playing at 7…. I would not want Wieters to catch tonight at Norfolk, to try and come make his Major League debut tomorrow afternoon.

If Wieters was able to catch tonight for Norfolk, that should be enough… you know they would not have rushed him back into the lineup… they would have given him all the time he needed to feel right… so when he got back into the lineup, I’m sure he was ready to go.

For those that worry about ‘rushing’ Wieters back from injury, do you think the O’s organization would have him in the Norfolk lineup if they were not convinced about his health?

If they want him down in Norfolk through mid-June to potentially avoid being Super 2… fine… I do not agree with it, but fine. If they are going to bring him up 2 weeks from now because he gets hot at Norfolk… I don’t get it.

The O’s have already achieved keeping him under organization control for an additional year…. the sooner they have him in the everyday lineup, with Zaun on the bench, and Moeller released… the sooner the entire team is improved.

If the O’s want to keep him down in Norfolk through mid-June to avoid Super 2 Status, the Organization should be saying it publicly.

I would not agree with it, but I would respect the decision.

If this franchise wants to potentially save money with Wieters long-term, they should be approaching Wieters with a long-term deal now, which extends into his first two years of FA. You can say Boras would not allow him to sign it… might convince Wieters to head to Free Agency as soon as possible; but Wieters being a catcher, that had back trouble in college does change the equation.. Especially if offered in Year 1… Even with the bonus money he received, it would be extremely difficult to turn down long-term guaranteed money.

The O’s offer would have to provide enough $$ in those first 3 years, that it would hurt for Wieters and Boras to turn down.

Some would say, why do that when as an organization you hold the leverage.. and do not have to pay him? You do that, because you are using that leverage to get him to sign long-term.. to get those first two years of FA… and to know exactly what you will be paying him long-term.

As soon as Wieters puts on an Oriole uniform, he will be the most talented player… does not mean as a rookie he will be more consistent vs Markakis… just that he has the highest overall talent.

To those that say there is no reason to bring him up now, I say that I do not understand that logic.

We have the most talented player in all of the minors sitting at Norfolk… We have a starting catcher who is 38 years old, with a limited arm, with a .464 OPS… (Yeah, I agree Zaun is better than he has looked.. but so what?)The only reason to keep Wieters in the minors is to potentially avoid Super 2 status. If that is the reason… fine… I think the organization would owe it to their fan base to tell them that. Especially since it would directly contradict what they said this winter and spring.

To clarify, bringing up Wieters to catch Bergesen really is not that point… it just provides an opportunity for even more comfort in his debut. I do not care if Wieters makes his debut at home or the road… I believed he should have joined the O’s 4/17 in Boston… but plenty of O’s fans have stated the debut ‘had to happen at home.’

The O’s would not have had him catching last night in Norfolk, or DHing the night before if they doubted his health. If they plan on him catching again tonight in Norfolk… that really is enough… If you can physically catch in Norfolk, you can physically catch in Baltimore.

Some would say this is me being impatient… I disagree, and think it is really simple.

I am not being impatient… it is pretty simple..

Scenario 1
Organization – “Matt, are you feeling any pain after catching last night? Are you able to catch tonight?”
Wieters – “No pain, I feel good… I will be able to catch tonight.”
Organization – “Great… no worry about the game tonight… you are heading to Baltimore to catch Sunday.”

Scenario 2
Organization – “Matt, are you feeling any pain after catching last night? Are you able to catch tonight?”
Wieters – “Actually, I am a bit stiff.. the hamstring is bothering me more than I thought.”
Organization – “Alright, we are going to hold you out tonight… no need pushing it… “

I think ignoring the obvious elephant in the room does not serve anyone well.

As an organization, you have already stated several times that contractual reasons will not be part of the decision making process with Wieters.

Well clearly it was to open the year, and that was the right decision.

If that is what is happening now… if the organization decides they want to keep him in the minors until mid-June to avoid Super 2 status… there is nothing wrong with stating that…

As I said previously, I would not agree with the move.. but I would respect it…. I would respect it because the O’s would be be acknowledging as an organization that it matters to them… and that they have identified a plan, and are sticking to that.

The great majority of O’s fans did not understand why Wieters was not on the Opening Day team, and they will not understand why he is not on the team in mid-June…. you have an obligation to speak to your fanbase, and let them understand why you make certain decisions.

You do not have to let the fanbase dictate your decisions… but when you come to a decision, you should be able to communicate why.

I think you absolutely state to Boras and Wieters what the deal is….. we all acknowledge they are aware anyway.

“Scott, Matt… the way the system is set up.. it was in our benefit to get you tied to the organization for an additional year… if you avoid Super 2 status, we figure to save some money as well.It is not personal, it is business… during the next 3 years, you do not figure to be paid equal to your performance. If you are interested in a long-term discussion, where we get your first 2 years of FA… we are interested in being fair to you, and paying you more these first 3 years than you would otherwise make.If you agree to the deal tomorrow… you are catching in Baltimore tomorrow.”

Longoria was brought up April 12th last year, the first day that Tampa had gained the extra year of eligibility. Tampa had won 66 games in 2007… everyone knew they were improved, but people were not talking AL Champions either.

They brought up Longoria, and then signed him right away… same thing Baltimore should do with Wieters.

When the Union pops off and objects to Wieters being held back, tell them that when they get serious about wanting to have a Salary Cap (and salary floor) they can speak-up…. otherwise, of-course promotions are going to be tied to salary when teams are dealing with the current salary differences.

It would be the perfect time to launch the discussion of how the Union is basically accepting the idea of the Yankees with their new Stadium, and the YES Network staring at a $300M salary within 3 years, while FL will try and top $40M.

For the record, Wieters is in the Norfolk lineup tonight, basically eliminating any chance of promotion to the O’s tomorrow.

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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