Talk about Deja-Vu.George Sherrill posted back-to-back blown saves Sunday and Monday by giving up game losing or tying home runs with only one more strike needed to win both games.
After the top of the 9th last night, Sherrill threw his glove into the stands and then tossed a tray of bubble gum onto the field.
At least he cares.
I was in D.C. for Sunday's debacle, which prolonged the O's troubles on Sundays, losing their 12th consecutive game on that day. I also watched the entire game last night, so it's safe to say I'm in need of a break from the Orioles.
After those two heart-breaking losses, the O's are now 41-40 at the halfway mark. Not bad, considering the Orioles were projected to be one of baseball's worst teams in 2008, but it's still disappointing to lose two games like that in a row.
Regardless of what their record is, one thing is for sure and that is Andy MacPhail needs to keep his phone lines open. There are several trades this team should be making, involving Brian Roberts, Aubrey Huff, Ramon Hernandez, Jay Payton, Jamie Walker and Chad Bradford.
It was a fun first half, but let's be serious. The last two games have proven that this season is an optical illusion. We may appear close to contending with the Red Sox, Yankees and Rays, but we're still a good mile or two from them in this race.
We need to continue the rebuilding process.
Many of our current players (Roberts, R. Hernandez, Huff, Walker, Bradford, etc) will be gone by 2010 with not enough prospects to fill their positions. Currently, only Matt Wieters is on the fast track to Baltimore. Guys like Nolan Reimold, Chris Tillman, David Hernandez, Jake Arrieta, Brandon Snyder, and Billy Rowell are still either too far away from the majors or not sure-fire MLB players to be counted on within the next year and a half.
So the only way to deepen the minor leagues even further is by trading your best current players for tomorrow's stars.
It'll hurt to break apart the 2008 Orioles because it's been fun so far... but let's be serious. This team wasn't ever destined for anything other than mediocrity at best.
Let's try to win a World Series for once.
1 comment:
I think the roster itself proves more that the Orioles aren't quite ready for the prime-time more than the last two losses do. They were tough losses, but in fairness, they were losses that came when we were one strike from winning. We could EASILY be 43-38 and not having this discussion today.
Agree, though. Everyone should still be for sale. If not at the deadline, at least after the season.
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