The Roberts to the Cubs trade could be closer. Same thing we’ve seen everywhere else…but it’s closer. Heyman’s saying it looks like its Roberts and Jay Payton (please let him be in it) for Gallagher, Cedeno and some of these others: Eric Patterson, Matt Murton, Sean Marshall among others. I was once in favor of getting Murton, but once Roberts goes, who plays second? Now I think Patterson would be a better player to get.
In today’s Spring Training game against the Dodgers, the O’s led 4-1 in the ninth and soon-to-be retired reliever Estaban Yan gave up a walk and 3 runs in the ninth without recording an out.
The players who stood out today
Adam Jones hit a solo HR
Scott Moore went 3-4. He’s got three doubles already for the Spring. At this rate, there’s no way he can not make the team. It’s early…but c’mon.
Costanzo went 2-5 with a solo HR. He’s been a good story thus far, but I think he’s going to be in Norfolk to start the season. There’s such a veteran logjam on the roster still. Besides, he could use some time in Triple A.
Matt Albers pitched 2 scoreless innings and struck out 3.
Dennis Sarfate pitched a scoreless inning and struck out 2.
Bad news on Troy Patton.
The Orioles got further word on Monday on injured starter Troy Patton, who was shut down from his Sunday sideline session. Patton, who’s believed to have a tear in his left shoulder, was examined by team physician John Wilckens and will undergo further testing in Baltimore later in the week
Wilckens apparently believes that surgery is not a foregone conclusion. Patton went four months without throwing this offseason, but still felt discomfort when he got going this spring. If he undergoes surgery, the southpaw will likely miss the entire 2008 season and will come into Spring Training untested.
That’s bad news. The good news is that if he does have surgery and even if he doesn’t pan out that Matt Albers, Dennis Sarfate, and Mike Constanzo are all making some noise this spring. If a couple of them keep this up, then its fine. Hopefully, Patton can avoid surgery heal up and become a good major league pitcher. If not, we’ve got some players in this deal that look to be capable of making this deal a win regardless.
Chris Tillman made his first showing as an O in Sunday’s game. It took him only six pitches to retire the side. Nice. It’ll be even nicer when he’s doing it in Baltimore in a season or two.
The Reds signed a couple of former O’s to minor league deals. Corey Patterson and Jerry Hairston Jr both will be vying for spots with the Reds. Patterson will be in the running for the starting centerfielder job and Hairston for a utility role. Both of these guys played for Dusty Baker in Chicago, which I guess is why they wanted him there. I’m wondering why they’re signing Patterson when they have Jay Bruce close to being ready. If they didn’t want to rush Bruce, why trade Joey Hamilton? Kenny Lofton would have made alittle more sense as a stopgap.
Filed under: Orioles, Rebuilding, spring training
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