- Anyone else as depressed as I am watching the Brewers and Rays in the playoffs? That's two more teams off the list of teams to have missed the playoffs for at least 11 years. That list now consists of only the O's, Blue Jays, Royals, Nationals, Royals, Reds, and Pirates. Of that list, only the O's and Pirates have not had a non-losing season in the last 11 years. (Nationals finished 2005 at 81-81)
- According to a second opinion, Daniel Cabrera's right elbow is not damaged. Yes, he just sucks that bad. It was nice knowing you, Daniel.
- GM Andy MacPhail is "generally pleased" with the way things went this season, mentioning the team's better-than-expected record through 2/3 of the season. All we need to do now is get Major League Baseball to shorten the season by 54 games and we'll be a mediocre team instead of a horrible one.
- Severna Park native Mark Teixeira is getting his first taste of the post-season with the Angels. A free agent after the season is finished, Teixeira returning home to Baltimore, where he is sure to miss the playoffs for at least the 2009 season, just got less likely.
- San Diego Padres' SS Kahlil Greene looks to be moved in the offseason as the Padres try to lower their payroll. Greene had a down year in 2008, and would be a good "buy low" player to acquire in a trade. I would open trade talks for Greene with Daniel Cabrera, and if that doesn't get the deal done, ask the Padres how much cash it'll take to complete the trade to avoid having to throw another player into the deal. Greene is a free agent after the 2009 season.
- I have a hunch that there will be a Matt Wieters-watch next April when it gets a few weeks into the season and still there are no Wie's available. At this point I am expecting the Orioles to fumble Wieters' transition to the major leagues since he was not brought to Baltimore when the rosters expanded in September.
- A Nick Markakis extension must be completed this offseason. If you read the tea-leaves during the season, Nick didn't appear too happy that the two sides were unable to come to an agreement for an extension. If there is no extension finished by opening day, you won't need tea leaves to tell that Nick Markakis is unhappy with the Orioles.
- If the Orioles are ever going to get better, they have to improve their play against the AL East. They went 22-50 against their division rivals in 2008.
- I'd be surprised if Brian Roberts signs an extension with the Orioles, increasing the probability that he will never play for a post-season team in his career.
- Have the Orioles given up on Nolan Reimold? He repeated this past season at Bowie after having a .930 OPS and 11 HR in 186 AB's in 2007 and hasn't been mentioned in any of the team's future plans. In 2008 he had an impressive season with a .284 AVG, 25 HR, 84 RBI and a .868 OPS.
- If the O's miss out on Teixeira this offseason, Oscar Salazar might not be a bad stop-gap at the position, splitting time with Huff. He had a .878 OPS in 81 AB's in 2008.
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1 comment:
Considering Trembley said that the team was going to bring up an infielder, an outfielder, and a catcher last month, and they brought up only the infielder (Salazar) and the catcher (Santos, who played, like, twice), I'm assuming either Reimold was either injured again or suddenly became an afterthought. I also read an article back in late August on ESPN.com that had Reimold listed as one of the call-ups to watch. But it seems that the team is perfectly happy with Scott and Montanez in left.
As for Cabrera, I'm seeing and reading more and more people saying that the team should bring him back for next year. Hopefully, those who matter most will disagree with them.
In regard to the shortstop situation, I could see Khalil playing in Baltimore. Though he's not stellar (he has a career BA of about .250), he is far better than (insert Orioles '08 shortstop here). Edgar Renteria is also available, but he's aging and his defense is diminishing, according to reports.
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