I am not sure I believe it will happen, but for the purpose of this discussion, let us assume that Sherrill is traded now at the 2009 non-waiver deadline. By June 2010, we could be looking at a bullpen that looks like:
Uehara
Johnson
Albers
Hernandez
Ray
Berken / Mickolio / Meredith / Sarfate
Perez / Other Lefty
The quality of those arms, combined with an improved rotation, will be fun to watch.
My rationale for that bullpen is, Matusz is not coming up this year. That leads me to believe the O’s will likely send him to Norfolk to start 2010, and bring him up by the end of April at the earliest, and beginning of June at the latest.
I think Arrieta is going to join the O’s before the end of 2009, so I do believe he will join Tillman in the Opening Day 2010 rotation.
My guess is that if Uehara returns in September, he will be moved to the bullpen. If that does not happen in September, I think it will happen in ST next year.
Still, if you are looking at a 2010 OD rotation of Guthrie, Bergesen, Hernandez, Tillman, and Arrieta… a spot will have to be cleared for Matusz. Obviously Tillman and Arrieta would not be going anywhere. The options will be a trade of Guthrie, or one of Bergesen / Hernandez to the bullpen. I think the most likely out-come is Hernandez to the pen, with the ultimate goal of him becoming the closer.
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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.