This is a pretty fair, and favorable review from a National reporter (Jeff Passan).
Comments on the O’s from Mr. Passan:
“First impression: Years of failure due to treading water – actually, in the AL East, it’s more like flailing in quicksand – are long forgotten with Andy MacPhail now in charge. If the Orioles fail, they’ll have failed trying to shake things up. Nearly one-third of the team has never worn an Orioles uniform. There are veterans (Cesar Izturis, Mark Hendrickson), imports (Koji Uehara) and busts (Rich Hill, Felix Pie). And Matt Wieters, who defies categorization and instead goes by this: 6-foot-5, switch-hitting, home run-mashing, rocket-armed catcher who’s a mix between Joe Mauer and Johnny Bench. Ahem.
Competition: Aside from Jeremy Guthrie and Uehara, the rotation is a mess while the Orioles wait for Chris Tillman, Brian Matusz and Jake Arrieta to arrive. Among the contenders: Hendrickson and Hill with inside tracks, and Chris Waters, Matt Albers, Radhames Liz and Troy Patton fighting for the fifth spot. Oh, and there’s some sentiment to start Gregg Zaun over Wieters.
Hot seat: Adam Jones and Pie sit on that prospect precipice that so many others have straddled. Both are phenomenally talented. Both play excellent in the outfield. And if both succeed, the Orioles, with Nick Markakis in right, would have the best young outfield in the game.
Next: Book Wieters for the 2011 All-Star Game, if not 2010. While Tillman, Matusz and Arrieta may not join him there, they should be in Baltimore’s rotation – and all project better than anyone on the Orioles’ staff right now.”
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.