At 6-4, the O’s have just completed the first 10 games of the 2009 season.
In the immortal words of former NFL Coach Dennis Green, “They are who we thought they were.”
The O’s have a strong lineup….. the top of the order is not going to continue to get on base at this current clip, but they will remain productive…. Outside of that group, there are a lot of useful parts.
Overall, this a solid defensive club… Huff is not a butcher at 1st… Wigginton and Mora are ‘serviceable’ enough at 3rd… both having strong enough arms, and decent reactions to mask their limited range. Pie is showing signs of adjusting to LF…
The bullpen has had a rough 10 games, but there is enough track-record there, and power arms that I remain convinced the bullpen will be a weapon for the O’s during the 2009 season.
The current rotation is horrible….. but there is actual optimism that this can be improved internally by May.
There are enough positives about this team, that if they do not bury their selves during the next 12 games… that it can be an interesting 2009 season in Baltimore.
On May 1st, I want to see the following team:
Guthrie, Uehara, Hill, Bergesen, Hendrickson
Sherrill
Ray
Johnson
Walker
Sarfate
Liz
Albers
Roberts 2nd
Jones CF
Markakis RF
Wieters C
Huff 1st
Mora 3rd
Scott DH
Pie LF
Izturis SS
Zaun, Wigginton, Montanez, Andino
For the above roster to occur, the following would have to happen:
1) Promotion of Bergesen
2) Promotion of Wieters
3) Promotion of Montanez
4) Hill off the DL
5) Mora off the DL
6) Release of Baez
7) Release of Eaton
8) Release of Moeller
9) Release of Freel
10) Release of Bass
The next move, would be to replace Hendrickson as the 5th starter by mid-to-late May… there would be a number of options… certainly David Hernandez… possibly Troy Patton if he is maintaining his consistency, and velocity is returning… even possibly Chris Tillman if he gets into a grove and starts providing regular innings at Norfolk.
Once Hendrickson has been replaced as the 5th starter… the next question is, if Hendrickson rejoins the bullpen, do you need Jamie Walker?
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.