Thursday, June 30, 2005

If I Were the O's General Manager.... My dream job has always been to be a general manager for a baseball team.  I even went so far while attending the O's FanFest in 1998 to ask how to get my foot in the door during the front-office forum.  Now, in order for this great season the O's are having to continue, here is what I think they can do to make the postseason.  Pitching Anyone who has watched the Orioles this season knows that pitching has been suspect.  Admittedly, the first two months of the season it performed well-beyond expectations.  The injury to Eric Bedard hit them hard, and there is no guarantee he will perform at the level he was pitching at prior to his knee injury.  Additionally, Bruce Chen and Sir Fatty McFatFat are not what I would deem as starters I trust to win every fifth day.  Thus, the need for the O's to acquire a decent starting pitcher is key.  The recent rumor revolved around the Marlin's A.J. Burnett.  I think the asking price is much too high, though--giving up Hayden Penn or Daniel Cabrera and Larry Bigbie.  I do not like parting with either pitcher this early in their careers.  Bigbie, on the other hand, has started producing since his return from the DL.  I have no problem throwing Jorge Julio in the mix, though.  As long as he gets replaced with another acquisition.  As for the Marlins throwing Juan Encarnacion to the Birds, I have no interest in an outfielder who merely hits for power but can never stay with a team for a while.  Personally, I like the prospect of acquiring Jason Schmidt better.  The Giants are out of the race in the NL West, and Schmidt is a proven starter with a club option for next season.  Thus, there is no need to sign him to an extension as they want to do with Burnett.  I also think the reliever corps could use an additional arm.  Steve Reed has been terrible, for lack of a better term.  There are a number of potential relievers available who have solid arms who could replace Julio--Armando Benitez, Jr. as I like to call him.  The closer for the Rockies--Brian Fuentes--would be a capable setup man in front of B.J Ryan.  Presuming he comes off the DL in short order.  Hitting For the most part, I am not terribly worried about this team's offensive production.  It has slowed down of late, but I do not think it warrants the addition of a Mike Sweeney.  If the price is right for Sweeney, you could have a decent heir to Palmeiro at 1st base.  One important player to get back is Javy Lopez.  The lineup has suffered tremendously without his bat in the middle of the lineup, offering protection to my least-favorite O's right-fielder.  Also, without him, you are forced to platoon two catchers whose offensive numbers do not match his.  I like Sal Fasano as the backup, as he is a slightly better hitter and would appear to handle the staff better.  Finally, the alarming fall from grace that has become Sammy Sosa is scary.  I must admit that even though I had forecast it, I still did not think it would be this bad.  Seeing him swinging at high fastballs is truly embarrassing, especially given that pitchers have started to "work up the ladder" against Sosa.  He also has a tendency to swing at bad pitches off the plate.  He has already dropped in the lineup, but maybe a day or two off might help him get it together.  So, if I were the O's GM and the Swarthy Greek Owner gave me free reign, I would be chasing after a starter and a setup man.  I might be willing to part with Hayden Penn, but not Cabrera.  Finally, Bigbie goes only if the compensation is equivalent.  I do not want an Encarnacion in exchange.  1:49:14 PM    comment []  trackback []

Happy Trails... ...to you.  As one of the first local blogs, I read, I will surely miss it for the witty and occasionallly controversial posts.  Of course, I am leaving out the contingent of comment "groupies" it had; they will sorely be missed. ;-) Until we meet again in the blogosphere, but make sure your minions over at Blogtimore, Hon continue to run a tight ship!  11:29:30 AM    comment []  trackback []