Dave Trembley spoke with the Orioles website today, and had some comments of note:
For purposes of discussion, we will list the following three quotes, as three separate topics.
Topic 1
“We have to decide if we’re going to go with 12 or 13 pitchers again, and we’re probably leaning towards going with 13. We’re going to really have to take a look at these guys.”
Topic 2
“I talked to Mark the other day about it,” Trembley said of Hendrickson. “He’s preparing himself this off-season to be a starter, but I told him that we brought him in to fill a need as another left-hander and a long guy out of the bullpen, with the possibility that if we need another starter, he could be the guy. I told him that would work itself out in Spring Training.”
Topic 3
“I think it’s flexible — I’d like to get some protection at the bottom of the lineup,” Trembley said. “I think you could hit Freel between [second baseman Brian] Roberts and [right fielder Nick] Markakis, but I also think he can give you something at the bottom of the lineup. He’s almost like a second leadoff guy. [Shortstop Cesar] Izturis can be that kind of guy, too, because he’s a switch-hitter and because of the way he handles the bat. We’ll have to play around with it.”
My response:
Topic 1
MacPhail can not allow Trembley to again use a 13 man pitching staff. MacPhail is the President of Baseball Ops, Trembley reports to him.
MacPhail needs to set the roster, with 12 pitchers and it is Trembley’s job to manage that roster.
Trembley carried 13 pitchers for large portions of the 2008 season, and it only harmed the team. The 13th pitcher was hardly used, and it effectively left the bench limited and starting position players drained.
If you carry 13 pitchers, that means you are left with a 3 man bench… one of those three bench spots is given to the back-up catcher.
Which means, you limit yourself to really two reserves per game, as you worry about using the bench catcher in case of injury.
Which means your ability to match-up is limited… which means more to a team like the Orioles that lacks a ton of talent.
You also get trapped into playing your regular players more than you would like, because you simply lack the options to give them rest.
Freel is a lock, the backup catcher is a lock… I think Gomez is now a lock…. as I said in my previous post, I think both Montanez, and Salazar should make the team, and Gomez should not… but as that will not happen, at least one of Montanez, and Salazar should be part of the bench.
The idea that the O’s would go with Freel, a backup catcher, and Gomez alone is just unacceptable.
Topic 2
I am excited to see that Trembley is envisioning Hendrickson out of the pen, and an occasional spot-starter. The stats show Hendrickson is much better out of the pen… between that, and an occasional start, he might actually provide value.
I was dreading the idea that he would be handed a rotation spot, and be given 20+ starts.
Topic 3
Talking about Freel batting between Roberts, and Markakis would seem to speak to Trembley picturing Freel get regular time… talking about him being a ‘2nd leadoff guy’ at the bottom of the lineup does the same.
Freel can help the bench… in 1895 Major League at-bats, he has a career .357 on-base %.
You can understand Trembley seeing that number, and wanting him somewhere in the lineup.
However, you have to remember that Freel turns 33 on March 8th… and in 2007, and 2008 combined; he had a total of 408 Major League at-bats.
He is going to help as a reserve, and should not be over-extended.
Implying Izturis could be a ‘2nd leadoff guy,’ is just bizarre.
Izturis has had 3165 Major League at-bats, and has an abysmal .299 career on-base %.
He has some speed, and that is an attribute… but if you can not get on-base, you are of no use to a lineup.
I am a fan of Dave Trembley… he has a great focus on the details, is good with the media… treats his players with respect, and demands it-back.
I think he should be given every chance to be the manager here long-term.
I do not think he should have input in shaping the roster.
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/F/ryan-freel.shtml
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/I/Cesar-Izturis.shtml
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