I’m watching the game tonight and Daniel Cabrera is having a good outing.  Thus far through 7 frames, he’s surrendered only 1 hit and struck out 3. The strikeouts are lower than what I’d like, but one hit through seven…that’s great. But as per usual, the one thing that makes us all pull our hair over Cabrera, 5 walks.

I was hoping this would be the season that he gets it all together. His last start of last season, that electrifying 1 hitter of the Yankees, made me think this season would be his. A 6-10 record record and a 5.30 ERA is not what I had hoped for. Frankly I’m getting sick of hearing that ‘if he ever gets it together, with his nasty stuff, he’ll be unstoppable.’ It’s getting old.

I’ve seen a few articles on the Teixiera trade market. Cabrera’s name has been mentioned as the centerpiece for the O’s to send. I’d be all over that. If Cabrera goes to Texas and gets together, so be it. I can live with it. But you can only squeak on by with that potential card for so long. And in my opinion, so long is up.

On a more positive note, I’ve been watching the game tonight. It’s Cal Ripken night and its been a great atmosphere. The house looks packed and the crowd is loud. Did I mention the O’s are playing the Devil Rays? It’s great to see. It’s just too bad that it’s not like this every night.

Help Wanted

I’m needing some help with the blog here. My schedule has only permitted me to update a few days a week and I’m not crazy about that. I’m changing jobs and while I’ll have evenings off, I won’t feel like posting every day. I’m also in process of a long move….yeah moving is wretched.

One of my quirks is that I have certain sites that I check everyday and if they’re not updated every day or two, I feel let down. I hope the couple of folks who stop by here everyday feel the same way. I want this site to be updated everyday, but I know I won’t be able to do it, so I’m looking for a little help.

If you’re interested, send me a few samples to Oriolecentral@yahoo.com. Do a game recap maybe and a few things that would represent your style. I need someone to post 3 times a week, because I want the site to be updated daily. But with all that’s happening, I can’t make it happen. I can mail it with a 5 minute post or something, but in the end that’s like Paul Bako at bat post. It sucks.

If you don’t take yourself too seriously, love the O’s, and know how to work a keyboard give it a shot.

Thanks.

Not O’s related, but much better.  

I turn in my two week notice tomorrow. I’ll have both weekend days off for the first time since my sophomore year in high school and I’ll have my evenings. It’s going to be a huge change and helluva lot to learn, but it’s trade I’m more than willing to make.

Glad Jay Gibbons decided to show up last night. It’s been a wretched season for Jay thus far. Part of it is the fact that he’s almost a player without a position. He can play outfield, but he’s a below average defensive player. I’ve seen it before and you have too…on many occasions. The 1st base experiment didn’t work, though honestly, I don’t think it was given enough time. Of course, he can DH…but he whined about that too. That all said, if you can’t hit your weight, why should a team move you the head of a logjam of medicore players?

Last night Gibby finally had a night that makes you wonder, ‘why can’t he do that on a regular basis?’ Apparently at some point yesterday, I was drugged with an elephant tranquilizer and slept through most of the evening and early into the night. I woke up and remembered that the game was, so I sleepstumbled around and turned it on. It was the 6th inning and Huff just drew a walk. 2 on, 2 outs and down by 2. Jay Gibbons comes up to bat and I think, ‘he’s going to foul a ball, then pop up the next one…end of inning.’

NO SIR! Jay crowns King Felix (I hate that nickname) with a 3 run HR. Jay follows that up with a bloop two run single. Hope Jay does this more often. Thank God Jeremy Guthrie finally got some run support.

Tom Verducci has an article about our O’s on SI. A few highlights…

Dave Trembley might be 23 games into becoming the next Tom Kelly. Kelly was the interim manager of the 1986 Twins, whose general manager, Andy MacPhail, had no initial interest in keeping him as his full-time manager. But after a 23-game cameo, Kelly earned MacPhail’s trust and was named Minnesota manager. Kelly promptly won a world championship in his first full season on the job, to which he added another four years later.

I’m not ready to say that yet.

The Orioles do have a foundation of young pitching on which to build. Erik Bedard, 28, is a rising star. Daniel Cabrera, 26, is an enigma who too often can’t find the plate but who has the stuff to be dominant. *(If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard that…I’d be a rich man)Adam Loewen, 23, Jeremy Guthrie, 28, and Garrett Olson, 23, can be useful starters. But the Orioles need much more. The next two weeks before the trading deadline ought to be busy for MacPhail, who knows the team’s need are many and obvious. “The janitors in the ballpark could tell you what they are,” MacPhail said

Great line.

The Orioles are overloaded with spare parts, guys who may have some value as part-time players on winning teams, but nothing close to building blocks for a team that has to be better than the Yankees and Red Sox to even think about the playoffs.

Again true. It’s a solid piece with a list of things he thinks the O’s should do. You can go to the article for that. There’s also two errors in the article. I’ll give a long distance high five to anyone and everyone who can spot both.

All right, I’m finally back.

Didn’t get to see much of the White Sox series, but its nice to see our boys get a comeback win.

I’m not ready to annoint Trembley the man for the job. He’s 12-10 thus far. Let’s face, Perlozzo is a pretty easy fact to follow. Trembley’s more flexible with the lineup and the bullpen. Sam, meanwhile, had his line-up chiseled in stone tablets. Trembley’s also lacked Tejada and now Mora. Thought that meritted mentioning.

The bullpen’s been better and not as overworked. I’m still scratching my head over the Scott Williamson release. Did he ask for his release? Was he too injury prone? He definately was overworked.

I did watch Garrett Olsen’s start yesterday. So far so good. I think this kid needs to stay with the club. He almost got into trouble a few times, but managed to find his way out safely. With Trachsel coming back, will Burres go back to pen? Tonight’s a big start for Burres. If he has a rough outing, I think that’s what happens.

Mora’s on the 15 Day DL. Thus the patchwork infield gets patchier with Bynum also dinged up.

Jon Knott is back with the club. I almost wept when I heard. I’m hoping he gets enough of a look this time to see if he can help this team or not. He did good on his first call up. The second one was an embarrassingly short one. Why have him up here, when we’ve got Jay Gibbons, right?

Of course, Trachsel might (and should) get dealt. The trade deadline is coming up and I’m excited to see what happens. A repeat of last season will not be good.

A few names I expect to be moved

Trachsel

Gibbons (I’ll take ANYTHING for him)

Millar (I like Millar, he can stay)

Cabrera (I can’t take it anymore….I give and I give, and you crush me. Let the Ranger fans deal with your befuddling talent)

Ramon? (IF Wieters gets signed…..I think this happens)

Miggi (not til the offseason)

On a personal note, I have been slack with things around here lately. But with my current (and likely soon to be former job), starting packing stuff up here for the move, and having to go through hoops lately with other interviews, I’ve been exhausted and somewhat jaded. Nothing like being told that I’m overqualified for a job and not hear back until a week later from his lackey that I didn’t get the job. Anyways, it looks like I have something and I’ll have to dot the i’s and cross the t’s on Wednesday. It’ll be a better job and better hours (Saturdays AND Sundays off!). So I should be happier and shouldn’t be mailing it as much or skipping posts here. *End of personal business*

Sept. 8th

Over at the Loss Column, they’re organizing a fan rally September 8th. The O’s are hosting the Red Sox that day, so make it there. Buy your tickets early since the Red Sox fans are going to try to snap them up. Here’s their post with all the info you need. I’m going to try to get up there, but it’ll be a week or two before I know for sure if I’ll be able to.

Apologizes for the lack of action around here lately, but the work schedule has been a beast this week. Bear with me for another day or two.

With today’s 2-1 loss against the Rangers, the O’s have stumbled through the season’s first half with a     mark.

Not exactly what I had hoped for.

Here’s some of the notable events thus far.

Sam gets the hook.

This was due. After some time has passed, I feel bad for the guy. That said, the change still had to happen. The befuddling in-game management and use of the bullpen was hard to watch. The thought I had last season was that Perlozzo needed a team to work with before final judgement was made. The team did get somewhat better this season, but all in all, the right move was made. Here’s hoping Sam gets a job, if not within the organization, somewhere coaching 3rd base somewhere.

Girardi and O’s do alittle dance…but nothing more

There was a span of about 10 days where the only thing I had on here was updates about Joe Girardi talking with the O’s about the open managing spot. In the end, I’m not tore up about it. I like Girardi’s no nonsense approach. That said, he’s only been a manager for a year and I think he went to the Dusty Baker school of pitcher managing. Look at the Marlin’s pitchers this season….the ones that still have their arms. I’m not opposed to Girardi, but I don’t think he’s the savior of this franchise.

Trembley takes over

Dave Trembley took over the team after Perlozzo got fired on an interim basis. So far, Trembley has said all the right things and has made alot of the right moves. The team takes infield now, that’s a big deal there. So far, I’m pleased with him. It remains to be seen if he’s the next Earl Weaver. But let’s give the guy the rest of the season and go from there. I’ll say this, I’d much rather someone like Trembley than Don Baylor or some other third chance manager.

Guthrie….BOOM!

Jeremy Guthrie got picked up off waivers from the Indians. In spring training, he had to fight for a spot on the team and after a rash of injuries to the rest of the rotation, he got a default starting spot. Guthrie took it and ran with it. He’s been a joy to watch. In a 102 innings, he’s struck out 74 and has walked only 18. A 4-2 record and a 2.74 ERA is sweet too. Now if this guy would get some run support, he’d have a chance at 18 wins.

BUUUUUH-Dard 

I think last night showed that Bedard really got screwed out of an All-Star spot. I don’t really give a damn about the All-Star game since it’s like the high yearbook of baseball basically. The most popular players get in. But if a pitcher is the strikeout leader (149), he sure better be in. Bedard’s been good. 7-4, 3.40 ERA.  But he’s had some of the same problem Guthrie’s had….run support.

Cabrera….who knows

Every season it’s the same song and dance….wait til Daniel Cabrera gets his junk together. He’s gonna be the next Randy Johnson. Hey, I’m tried of waiting. Let’s get with it. 6-10 and 5.04 ERA stinks. 97 strikeouts….great. 61 walks…same old same old.

Injuries….cursed Injuries

Tejada’s chillin on the DL with a cracked wrist, which ended his games played streak. Surprisingly, the team has risen to the occasion. Ramon Hernandez and Jay Payton have had strain issues. The rotation has been the issue with injury. Kris Benson and Adam Loewen are done for the year. Jaret Wright is on the 60 day and Danys Baez had been out.

The Bullpen

The revamped billion dollar bullpen has been a downer. Baez had stunk. Scott Williamson, surprisingly, got DFA’ed. Jamie Walker has been good and Chad Bradford too. Though Bradford seems to walk a fine line at times. As for the holdovers, Chris Ray….not so good. I’m not sold on him at this point. Saves for him have become an adventure. John Parrish came on like gangbusters at the start of the season and then he got busted around by every team he pitched against. The curse of Todd Williams is over.

The offensive offense

The O’s have one of the most listless offenses. The power has been lacking. Brian Roberts and Melvin Mora have been the two bright spots for the offense. Roberts is having an awesome year and Mora has rebounded from a mundane 06. Nick Markakis is turning it back on. Millar can get on base, and for that I thank him But that leads too..

LVP’s….plenty of them

Jay Gibbons….what a rotten year.  .212 average. Good thing he’s got that fat contract now.

Corey Patterson, great defense, great speed….but Good Lord, where’s the bat at.

Paul Bako- I don’t expect a .350 average and 30 HR’s from him at this point. But he’s like the kid in 4th grade kickball….EASY OUT. 33 K’s in an 111 AB. .279 OBP. Granted, he’s supposed to be a defensive specialist, but honestly his defense hasn’t been good either.

Aubrey Huff hit for the cycle, but man, he still hasn’t been that good.

The bench as a whole hasn’t been good.

So more or less, that’s it for the first half. It’s been a bit of a downer, but there’s always the second half. If the rotation can keep it up and the offense can get it together….maybe…just maybe the second half will be better.

Olson debuts tomorrow

Garret Olson makes him major league debut tomorrow.

Olson’s minor league stats.

Olson may only make one start because Trachsel will be able to make his next start after the All-Star break. I’m crossing my fingers that Olson has a dynamic debut where it would make it hard to send him down. Of course, the following could happen:

Trachsel off DL, back in the rotation. Olson stays in rotation; Burres to long relief.

I’d be opposed to that because Burres has proved to me that he deserves to be a starter. That performance on Saturday where he went 7.2 innings after he looked like he was done in 6th was guts. Give me someone like Burres over Trachsel anyday.

Trachsel has surprised this season, but he’s pitched over his head. His stinkage as of late may or may not be related his butt sprain. What I’m hoping for that Trachsel is traded immediately after he comes off the DL.

Places I think Trachsel can end up at

St. Louis (the favorite in my opinion by a mile)

Cincy (a trade for Trachsel won’t right their ship)

Atlanta (second to St.Louis, in my opinion)

San Franciso

Philly or Houston, maybe

Notice they’re all NL team.

I don’t expect to get much for Trachsel, but something’s better than nothing.

Its time for me to finally say this, but I’m turning off my recording of “Give Daniel Cabrera time. He’s something special. He just needs to mature and get his head in the game a little more. He’s got nasty stuff. If he ever gets though walks down watch out.”

I’m not saying that he’s never going to ever not be something special special, but this seems like the 39th season I’ve thought this. If some sucker saavy team like the Rangers want to swap Teixiera for Cabrera, do it. I’m not advocating trading him just to trade him, but its time to shop him alittle.

Catching up

It’s been a busy weekend, thus no posts until now.

Have to give a tip of the cap to Aubrey Huff. It’s been a very forgettable season for Huff. There’s been many times this season, where Huff has caused us anguish at the plate. Two men on and two outs, he hits a massive pop-up, or…that cursed third strike looking.

I’d always hear on the telecast that Huff is always a slow starter. He starts out poorly and gets it together after a month or so. Hearing that gets old pretty quick. Fans want results, not excuses. Needless to say, I was down on Huff.

Friday night though, Huff went down in O’s history books. I caught the last half of the game and I gotta say, it was great seeing something good happen for this team…even if we lost. Aubrey Huff became only the third Oriole in team history to hit for the cycle; joing the two gods of the franchise…Cal Ripken Jr. and Brooks Robinson.

Seeing Huff getting the standing O and the curtain call was great stuff. We haven’t seen anything like at the yard in awhile. Congrads to Huff and I hope this marks that late start we keep hearing about.

Really quick

• Chris Ray….sometimes its better to be lucky than good, in Ray’s case I think his luck has run out.
• Brian Burres went almost 8 inning Saturday.
• Paul Shuey and his epic living mustache saved their first game since 2003. Good for him, he looked a lot better than say, Chris Ray. Not saying that Shuey is the answer, its only one game. He did look a lot better than Ray and let’s face it, Ray sucks right now.
• Brian Roberts is the O’s only All-Star. Miggi wasn’t going to be since he’s hurt. Erik Bedard should be and I’ve got a softspot for Jeremy Guthrie.
• Guthrie had his ‘worst’ start for the O’s today. He went 8 innings, sadly he didn’t get run support….again.