Oriole Post - A Baltimore Orioles Blog
On Saturday, the Baltimore Orioles once again held their annual FanFest. I'll have more thoughts later on, and so will James; however, I’m going to give you all some brief thoughts from the day.
This year, the keywords were patience and realism, not optimism or false dreams. Over nine-thousand fans showed up at the Baltimore Convention Center – seemingly no small feat considering the weather and anticipation for the big Ravens’ game on Sunday – longing for baseball again.
Rather than selling fans hope, Dan Duquette, Buck Showalter and others were a tad more realistic this time around with their thoughts along with expectations. I think that’s a good thing as the team is rebuilding, most likely to finish in the second division; therefore, we should not be fooled.
Well, now fans know the real state of the Baltimore Orioles, so expectations for next season seem to be much more tempered. The mood at the convention center didn’t have the same buzz as in 2011, although people were happy to have a taste of baseball back in the region – if only for a day.
I decided to change the coverage of the blog at this event. Instead of hanging out, meeting up with old friends and taking it all in at FanFest, I took very few pictures and instead wanted to cover the day as ‘media’. It was a very long day; however, it did go by ridiculously fast.
We were fully credentialed and stayed in the media to interview various players and team personnel. It was quite an experience and was able to get a ton of content and thoughts first-hand from many within the organization. I’ll try to post what I can starting tonight and into next week.
Spring Training opens up in a little less than a month, and it seems everyone at FanFest is looking forward to Spring Training and April.
What the new season brings remains to be seen. Let’s hope it’s not a painful one in Birdland.
no commentsWith Fan Fest this weekend, and with pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training in about a month, or less. How do you all feel about the progress that the Orioles have made in the off-season?
I know that the organization is - again - starting from scratch; however, I am not all that enthused with the job Dan Duquette has done so far. I know he's trying to look at the international markets and gauge what talent is out there, in addition to 'value' signings -- um, but perhaps most fans expected more. Really, the team needs another bat in the middle of the order and a veteran, *name* arm -- not 4A or journeyman types.
I do think he’s very much taking his time with his moves and is definitely evaluating the organization than making a move to just make a move.
For the most part, they moves that the Orioles have are very much underwhelming. I’m not sure how much the organization has in their coffers, or the revenue that MASN produces for the Orioles, but you’ve got to wonder why the checkbook was not open.
Duquette thinks that the Orioles can reach the .500 level – or inch above it. Um, I don’t think that is going to happen unless there is a serious overhaul with this team and the front office opens up the wallet big-time. Plus, the young talent – especially, the pitchers – would need to take a serious step forward and avoid the up-downs during a long season.
So far, I have not thought much of Duquette’s moves. It seems like he genuinely wants to see the organization succeed – for his sake and theirs. I do like that he’s going into the Far East and trying to find players of value who won’t break the bank. Plus, he’s retooling the front office and scouting departments; however, I do wish he would be more aggressive.
Despite what I feel about the major league team, the organization must really focus on rebuilding the minor league before anything else. They need a lot of holes plugged in on the major league roster in the years to come, and also need some impact players for trade bait.
They don’t have any real premium minor leaguers to fill-in key positions in case of injury at the higher levels right now, or bait in need of a trade. In addition, they don’t have any impact minor leaguers to fill-in key positions in case of injury, or bait in need of a trade.
I want the Orioles to be American League contenders; however, I am a realist – I just want them to not finish up with a sub-70 win record. Everyone wants improvement with the Baltimore Orioles, especially since they have had 14 straight losing seasons.
I just want something to happen with the team – anything – to show us fans that they are indeed committed to winning and putting a viable product on the field for 2012.
However, the reality of the situation is pretty sad.
no commentsWith Spring Training around the corner, and the 2012 starting as the winter season ends, the question is this?
How does one market the Baltimore Orioles?
We know that the 20th anniversary of Camden Yards is this year and the organization will be having several things going on with that. That being said, it’s a great marketing tool, but at the end of the day – I care about the product on the field and winning.
Camden Yards has been kept in immaculate condition, and it’s still a gold standard of ballparks everywhere. There have been more additions to it in terms of concessions, seating options and more attractions.
Well, that’s all wonderful and good; however, once again, the product on the field has not left much to be desired.
Back in the day, Camden Yards was filled and it seemed that you had to know someone to get a ticket. Now, it’s fairly easy to get one – well, maybe not Opening Day – and there are some night you can’t even give them away.
As of now, the Orioles are by all accounts supposed to finish last in American League East. They have players such as Matt Wieters, Nick Markakis, slugger Mark Reynolds, Adam Jones and J.J. Hardy on the squad; however, does anyone really care about this team in the dead of winter? Is there any excitement – aside from hardcore fans – for the season to be approaching?
Until now, have the Oriole signed anyone of great significance to a contract?
Fan Fest is this weekend, and while the Orioles do a good job with that – is there a reason to get excited for the event? Or even the upcoming season? Is it worth buying season tickets? Team gear?
Reading the various comments on the many articles on the local media websites, forums, and other blogs, most fans are not that enthralled – so far – with the additions that the Orioles have made.
The Baltimore Orioles have not won since I was in my third year of college. That was in 1998. The economy was humming, a lot of people seemed to be getting rich, the internet bubble had not burst, America was not involved in two wars and gas was still relatively cheap.
As well, the Baltimore Ravens were an up-and-coming football team, but didn’t have a foothold on the region like they do now.
The Ravens are on the cusp of a Super Bowl – again.
The Orioles?
Are they stuck between a rock and a hard place? In Purgatory? In neutral? Hell, the post-season isn’t happening for the franchise anytime soon.
With 14 years – and likely more of losing – how does one get fans back into the ballpark? Sadly, I don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel anytime soon, especially with the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays as favorites in the American League East; meanwhile, the Toronto Blue Jays seem to be a sleeping giant.
Down the road, in Washington D.C., hope seems to be around the corner with the Nationals and their re-tooled roster. Yes, they have sucked – much like the Orioles – for a while, but seem to be now contenders in the National League East and now have fans in that area excited.
What can be done?
How can fans get interested in the Baltimore Orioles again?
no commentsLast night the Nee York Yankees traded away their star catching prospect, slugger Jesus Montero and other pieces to the Seattle Mariners. In return the Yankees got Mariners rookie sensation Michael Pineda. Still not finished, the Yankees also consummated a deal for Los Angeles Dodgers free agent Hiroki Kuroda.
The Yankees have officailly set their rotation leaving them room to dump struggling AJ Burnett to free up salary or maybe even trade struggling young starter Phil Hughes.
One question comes to mind, why would the Mariners do this? Montero is a catcher in theory, but all reports have him as being a well below average backstop. His bat is supposed to be stuff of legend, but Seattle is such a vast ballpark I'm not sure how well a power bat like Montero will really play there. Pineda is young, cheap and talented - very talented. This seems like such a lopsided deal right now, lopsided in the Yankees favor. I could sit here and try to soothe the hurt of this by quoting stats that have Pineda being far more human away from Seattle. I could talk about Pineda's fly-ball tendencies and how those will bite him a bit in the wind-tunnel of New Yankee Stadium; but I won't because it doesn't really matter. Pineda is a Yankee, as is Kuroda. They will drink the same magic elixir as Bartolo colon did last year and be co-Cy Young winners.
The Orioles signed Taiwanese pitcher Chen Wei-Yin, and it is a great move. He was considered the best Japanese pitcher coming out this year not named Darvish. The step is a bit bigger than that former statement implies but the fact remains that the guy is talented. If Chen were signed by one of the powers of the AL East it would have been headline news on ESPN. And the Orioles got him, he is young, cheap and has serious upside. It was a great move.
No one really cares.
No one cares because no one has heard of Chen, so therefore it is not a "real" move. For example, the other night I was hosting a symposium of my colleagues at a local tavern. We were discussing many things: politics, war, novels, literature, beer, eventually the conversation turned to the Orioles. On his way out, a stranger interjected: "The Orioles need to stop building monument parks and alter walls and GET BETTER PLAYERS!" I mentioned Chen, he rolled his eyes and walked away. Until the Orioles announce they have signed Prince Fielder that one man will not be satisfied and any other move will be nothing more than some sort of dodge to scam fans out of their money.
To fans like him, and there are many, they see the Orioles host of small moves no matter how competent they may be and shut down. They see what the Yankees did last night and they get angry. What Duquette has done so far this winter has largely been organizational and behind-the-scenes moves that offer no real predictions on the year ahead. Will the appointment of a Minor League Hitting Coordinator help the major league team in 2012? Who knows, probably not. But is it good in the longterm? Yes! That is what this organization has desperately needed. These are the types of moves that help over the next couple of years and beyond.
The truth of the matter is this: Any significant improvement we see in 2012 will come from within. Matusz, Britton, and Arrieta; Markakis, Reimold, and Wieters. If all of these players begin to play the game as they were all expected to play then the Orioles' future prospects will look a lot better. But if this group of core players continues to be stuck in neutral in 2012 then it will be a long time before another statue gets added to that memorial park beyond the centerfield wall and that one patron will never be happy.
no commentsOk, I am a little late on this topic; however, as we all know, the organization took a look at Manny Ramirez last week during a workout in Florida.
We all know Ramirez’s sordid history in the game and his drug issues. He’s obviously not been an upstanding citizen in the game and frankly has bastardized his profession.
Ramirez spoke to ESPN this week about a possible comeback – despite the fact that he would need to sit out 50 games due to his PED use.
He actually sounded a lot different from what I have seen out of him in the past.
Ramirez sounded contrite, apologetic, and perhaps realized how stupid he’s come off over the years. Who knows if this is an act of desperation, or if he wants to go for an Academy award.
As a fan, I would not want him anywhere on the Baltimore Orioles, or even any of the other 29 franchises. That’s how strongly I feel about him, but if he can hit – the Orioles might want to use him.
Yes, I said it. The Orioles need the offense and a potent bat in the lineup. They have not signed a power bat, and now their pickings are getting slim unless they want to pay Prince Fielder a king’s ransom.
Honestly, I’d rather see a younger talent prove his worth and not be a headache.
But, I believe even at 39 years old, Ramirez could help a team out. He can’t make the Orioles into winners, but at least things will be interesting.
Ramirez obviously can’t play the field at all, he’s up there in age and we all might witness another experiment go horribly wrong with an older guy (ala, Vladmir Guerrero); however, considering his history and status in the game now, he would come cheap and if he sucks – cut him. I’d day give him a minor league deal and invitation to Spring Training.
If he f**ks up, stinks is and/or a prim donna, there’s no need to feel guilty if you cut him loose.
Dan Duquette and Ramirez have an existing relationship with the Red Sox, so why not take advantage of it? Ok, so it might be a circus at Camden Yards and in other locations for a good, long while. Then again, it’s not as if the Orioles are contending or anything like that.
Plus, the Orioles would get some press – ok, may not the type that the franchise wants.
Again, I don’t care to have him on the team as fan at all; however, if he can help, then Baltimore should take advantage.
no commentsWell, Luke Scott - who the Orioles non-tendered this offseason - has signed with the Tampa Bay Rays
. It looks like the Orioles wanted to move on from him, and sure enough they have...
From the Baltimore Sun:
Luke Scott, the outspoken, energetic slugger
Exact terms of the deal weren't disclosed.Scott, 33, was in his final year of arbitration after making $6.4 million in an injury-marred 2011 that ended in July, when he decided to have season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. In December, the Orioles decided not to tender him a contract -- he would have made at least $6 million and likely more -- and allowed him to become a free agent.
Honestly, considering the way that Baltimore's offseason has gone, I would have figured they might have given Scott an incentive-based contract. We all know he's streaky and isn't the best fielder out there; however, when he hits, he can help lift a team for periods at a time. At this point, he's a designated hitter and he may not be a good fit with Baltimore now.
I don't know if Scott's views made the team re-consider, but he definitely was not part of the future. He's on the wrong side of 30, could be costly, and the Orioles might want to give some younger players a shot.
Despite his Scott's opinions and negative press at times, at least when I chatted with the slugger, he was humble, very nice, and always willing to speak his mind. I did appreciate that about him.
Scott always seemed to be a very hard worker, and appreciative if his opportunities. That being said, I hope he doesn't come back and punish the orange and black.
no commentsOn Monday, the Baltimore Orioles signed another pitcher as they signed left-hander Wei-yin Chen from Taiwan.
Here’s on the signing from the Orioles.com:
Chen, 26, spent the last four years with the Chunichi Dragons of Japan's Central League. He went 38-30 with a 2.48 ERA in 117 games, 88 of them starts. Chen had a 2.68 ERA in 25 appearances last season. He will be the first Taiwanese-born player in Orioles history.
"Chen works off of a 92-94 mph fastball and he uses a hard, slurve-like breaking ball as an out pitch," Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said. "He has exceptional command and we like the quality of his pitches to help our team."
Chen had a career-high 13 wins in 27 starts, striking out 153 in 188 innings, in 2019. He led the Central League with a 1.54 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and four shutouts in 164 innings in 2009.
He was a member of the Chinese Taipei national baseball team in the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympics. He went 1-0 in two starts in the 2008 Games, tossing seven shutout innings in a 5-0 win over the Netherlands.
They have been looking to sign him throughout the winter, and Chen agreed to a 3-year pact. Dan Duquette said that the Orioles were going to make it a mandate to start looking at the international markets, and sure enough they have.
Time will tell how all the international efforts by the Orioles show in the win column. While I do like the fact the Duquette is thinking somewhat outside the box, the team should have focused more on major league veterans with experience and at least a ‘name’ player.
They do need a bat – a power one, honestly – however, so far, the organization has bolstered their pitching staff. I do think the team will make another move, whether it is a trade (more likely) and perhaps another signing or two.
So far, I am not all that impressed with what the organization has done in the off-season. It’s been kind of a mess with Duquette starting from the ground up, and the organization’s lack of getting a marquee player in town.
Then again, the Orioles more than likely will not compete in the American League East for the next several years, so perhaps what Duquette is doing now is actually prudent.
They will have a good amount of competition heading into camp when it comes to the pitching rotation. Hopefully, one of the new additions will make an impact when the team starts the season in a few months.
Remember, pitchers and catchers report in a little more than a month.
Also, the Orioles hired another man for the international front as Ray Poitevint is now the executive director of international baseball. He’s got a world of experience, worked with the Orioles in the 1960’s, and has served with Duquette on numerous occasions – with the Brewers and Red Sox.
If you have grown up in Baltimore you know what I am talking about - if you don't know what I am speaking of allow me to explain.
Virtually everyone that has grown up in the greater Baltimore area suffers from a unique condition called the "Baltimore Inferiority Complex" (BIC). The BIC results in your average Baltimorean taking a salty attitude towards virtually every other city in the US - especially on the east coast. Baltimore is sort of the forgotten middle child of the east coast. Sandwiched between Philadelphia and the national capital the larger bands, stage shows, comics, speakers and world in general tends to bypass us. We have lost a basketball team, and a football team and the biggest contribution to the larger picture of American culture has been "The Wire;" not exactly something for the tourist board.
Philly, DC, New York and Boston get songs written about them - happy songs, upbeat songs. Songs featuring Baltimore are usually in the Tom Waits vein.
Growing up in this type of environment lends someone to believe that the world has it out for our weird little town. The Orioles never get the calls, the NFL did everything it could to keep a team from coming to Baltimore, the NBA hates us. Hell even the war for which we are "famous" (the one where we saved the effing country?) is the one you gloss over in your high school history classes.
If cities were Presidents then Baltimore is James K Polk. Industrious, got things done, loud, brash and largely ignored.
Why am I bringing this up? Two words: Prince Fielder.
ESPN, and various other sources are coming out with stories that recent meetings between agent Scott Boras and Washington Nationals' brass have vaulted them into "the lead" to sign the former Brewers slugger. and that has sent BIC suffering O's fans into a frenzy. I have literally read the following statement:
"If the Nationals get Fielder that would literally be the worst case scenario..."
Now, outside of BIC I do not see how that is possible. Honestly. Let's say for example the Nationals do land Fielder. Realistically they will have to pony up an astronomical sum to get him there. Think what the Nationals did for Jayson Werth - imagine a Werth-like overpaying would mean for Fielder. Exactly. But let's say they get him - the Orioles are affected how exactly?
Are the Nationals in the AL East?
Are the Nationals in the AL?
Will the Orioles have to play the Nationals 22 times a year?
The answer is no to all of those questions.
"But James, you magnificent example of the human species and standard by which we are all measured, it would be a crushing humiliation for the Nationals to pick up Fielder over the Orioles," you say. I would respond simply - I don't think the Orioles have ever been really "in" on Fielder. This is not Tex, where losing the hometown star to the Nationals in a direct bidding war would definitely have been humiliating, this is just another free agent. Fielder is the gem of the FA pool right now, this is true, but one must ask if it would be worth the Orioles to even begin to invest the type of money on a player like Fielder when there are so many other pressing needs. For example the Orioles' offense last year was actually surprisingly competitive all things being considered; it hovered right around league average by the end of the year. Conversely the Nationals' offense was a well-below NL average with an OPS+ of 89, putting them on par with the woeful Astros and the offensively challenged Giants and Pirates. It makes sense for the Nationals to take a big risk and spend stupid money to try and lure Prince Fielder - they need a giant bat. The Orioles need pitching not Fielder.
Now, Fielder would be nice. Once again I love Fielder and I would love to have him as an Oriole. I think that if the Orioles really wanted him they could probably get him. But the Orioles real pressing need is pitching. The Orioles need to make serious plays for solid major league caliber pitching and that will like mean trades and FA signings.
Before some slackjawed response comes flying at me to call me some sort of apologist, like I have time in my life to find ways to apologize for this team, just close your mouth, wipe your chin and think for a second: What good is Fielder if over the next three years our pitching continues to be among the worst in the league? Last year the Orioles scored an average of 4.7 R/game they gave up 5.3 R/game their problem is an overwhelming pitching deficiency. The Orioles need to be spending the money that would go into Fielder on pitching development and young near-major-league ready arms. They need to figure out how to get Matusz, Arrieta and Britton to live up to their potential. They need to sign Chen. I would contend that doing those things would go a long way to making us a better team in 2012 and beyond than landing Fielder this year.
Yes, Fielder is enticing. Hell, Fielder is down right a drool-worthy prospect. However, having said that, if the Nationals get him it is not the end of the Orioles' world. If the Blue Jays get him or somehow the Rays get him - THAT would be a world of trouble for the Orioles but worrying about the Nationals is nothing more than the Baltimore Inferiority Complex rearing its ugly head
no commentsWe recently did a Q&A with the Communications Director of the Baltimore Orioles, Greg Bader and we touched upon on myriad of topics - the 20th Anniversary of Camden Yards, the uniform and cap changes, general Camden Yards questions and concerns, plus what has been going on with Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida.
The Q&A was quite lengthy, so we have split it up into two parts. This is part two.
***
What were your thoughts about the change over from Aramark - the old food service vendor - to Delaware North Companies Sportservice? Did you get any opinions from the public -- good or bad?
18 years with one ballpark concessions vendor is a long time, and while Aramark was a terrific partner, we believed the switch to DNC Sportservice would be a benefit to our fans.
The new Birdland hotdog, as well as the steak and egg sandwich and the addition of local favorites Pollock Johnny's and Natty Boh have been great additions about which our fans have raved. And there are still more changes to expect in 2012-new menu items and new food and drink destination points around the ballpark, some of which have been confirmed and some of which have not yet been announced.
With FanFest next month, what can we look forward to as fans? Any new additions, changes?
FanFest will be similar to what fans experienced in 2011, though the layout at the Convention Center is a bit different (we actually have more square footage).
Autographs will be handled the same way, and with that program raising nearly $100,000 for the Orioles Charitable Foundation, we wanted to duplicate the way that was done.
One change to the event will be an improved Spring Training area for fans to get information on tickets as well as Sarasota activities and travel/hospitality options.
Finally, with Spring Training around the corner for the Orioles, how did the second year of Ed Smith Stadium go for the organization in Sarasota? Do you envision any more work being done to the facility?
The first year at the new Ed Smith Stadium was one for the record books. 115,000+ fans became not only the largest attendance in Orioles history, but also the largest in the 80+ years of MLB Spring Training in Sarasota.
We have really begun to establish strong roots in the Sarasota area, which we expect will only grow stronger over the next 28 (or more) years. The ballpark itself has undergone some minor upgrades for 2012, and the back fields and the clubhouse have undergone major enhancements-something that will leave the clubhouse building nearly unrecognizable. Those changes are well underway and will be completed in time for the players to report in mid-February.
no comments2011 is coming to an end. Mercifully.
The Orioles are quiet. Maddeningly.
Of course the Orioles have made some decent depth-building moves. Wada, Endy Chavez, Antonelli; all of them soild moves. But there has been nothing done for Orioles fans to sink their teeth into. There has been nothing done to generate any sort of excitement. Of course, for some, anything short of signing Prince Fielder will mean this offseason will be a crushing failure.
I would love to have Prince Fielder on this team, love it. I don't think there is a fan who would noit want Fielder in orange and black in 2012 but I am not going to fool myself and say that anything less is a "bad" offseason. Far from it, the Orioles offense has the cahnce to be fairly competitive as it stands.
It's true! Believe it or not the Orioles were fourth in the American League in homers. The O's hit 191 homers last year just behind the power-happy Rangers (201) and Red Sox (210). In fact the Orioles had an offense that was rated at 100 OPS+ putting it right in the middle of the AL, what would have made it much more above average was a higher OBP. The O's had a well-below average OBP last year, and that short-circuited the run-scoring ability of a suprising strong, if not potent, power attack. The Orioles reached base at a .316 clip last year, league average was .326 and the Red Sox led the league with .349. All of this adds up to a team that was able to put together a competitive offense even with bad years from Markakis, Vlad, Lee; slow starts from Wieters and Reynolds and virtually no contribution from Brian Roberts.
What the Orioles need is pitching, and a lot of it. Though I have not given up on Brian Matusz, Jake Arrieta and Zack Britton. Matusz' year was the worst thing that could have possibly happened to him - but I think he bounces back. At this time last year everyone in Birdland was giddy with the thought of those three in the rotation. Matusz was the early pick to be the Rookie of the Year this time last year, the talent is still there. The question is can he harness it? Britton should get better, I expect Arrieta to at least maintain. Then you have Jeremy Guthrie and Tommy Hunter. There is no reason to think that these guys shouldn't be at least what they were last year.
it still won't be enough - so I am going on the record advocating for the signing of Edwin Jackson. Seven teams in nine years may turn some away from Jackson but he is a solid option. He isn't CJ Wilson, but he is also not the ancient shoulder of Roy Oswalt. Jackson would be a solid, affordable arm in a rotation full of question marks. Jackson has been moved around a lot because he is a good pitcher, but not great. He has flashes of brilliance and is attractive enough to teams, but never solid enough to be locked up by anyone. He is AJ Burnett without the contract; he is Jeremy Guthrie with more frequent flyer miles. He would be a good fit here.
I know what you are thinking: "WOOOO! Edwin Jackson! Print the playoff tickets!" and let me be the first to say: shut up. I hate reading that after every little move. You know why? Because even if the Orioles do sign Prince Fielder they will have to put forth a herculean effort to make the post-season so please try to keep some perspective. The Orioles need to upgrade their pitching and Jackson would be a viable option for them.
As the calendar turns the Orioles do need to show more activity. Their name has been linked to a couple of Japanese players, one pitcher the Taiwanese Wei-Yen Chen is particularly intriguing, but that has pretty much been it. Right now the Ravens are in the middle of a playoff run and no one really cares about what the Orioles are doing in town. The problem is, unless moves are made - no one will care in April either.
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