Decision between Tatum and Fox; other pregame tidbits
It's unbelievably hot, but pretty quiet here at Camden Yards as the Orioles prepare for game three of their series with the Minnesota Twins. Much of the pregame talk was on the pending roster decision with catcher Matt Wieters expected to come off the disabled list tomorrow.
At this point, it appears that the Orioles are leaning toward optioning catcher Craig Tatum, who has started nine of 11 games in Wieters' absence, to Triple-A Norfolk. Tatum is the top candidate because he has options remaining, unlike utility man Jake Fox. The Orioles also feel like that Fox's versatility will really come in handy, especially when/if they trade Ty Wigginton.
Interim manager Juan Samuel said the current feeling is the club needs to keep an extra pitcher in the bullpen with the inconsistency of so many of the starters. Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail is also involved in ongoing trade talks, but nothing is expected to get done before tomorrow afternoon. So that pretty much leaves the decision between Fox and Tatum.
"This is going to be a tough one. Whatever guy is going to go, I’m sure both guys have been thinking about it," said Samuel. "Those guys have been doing a good job for us.”
My take: The decision to option Tatum would be wildly unpopular in the Orioles' clubhouse. It's funny how quickly things have changed. When Tatum beat out Chad Moeller for the backup job this spring, the majority of the Orioles were furious, not because they didn't like Tatum, but because they viewed Moeller as a great teammate and valued his leadership to the young staff and Wieters. But Tatum has really won them over with his preparation, work ethic and even his production offensively. I don't think it's an exaggeration to suggest that he's emerged as one of the most popular guys in the clubhouse.
I think it would be a bad message to send down Tatum because he's done everything the Orioles have asked, been productive and worked his butt off. But I also understand where the Orioles are coming from. If you trade Wigginton and I think it's more a matter of when and not if, you need a guy like Fox to play first and serve in a platoon with the left-handed hitting Luke Scott or possibly Michael Aubrey if he keeps hitting at Triple-A Norfolk. That's why if you keep Tatum down at Norfolk for the 10 days that he is required to be down there, I could accept that. But he's proven that he belongs on this club and could be a solid backup catcher.
A couple of other things: Reliever Jim Johnson (right elbow inflammation) will throw live batting practice soon, the final step before he starts making some rehab appearances. Outfielder Lou Montanez (left oblique strain) has started baseball activities. …. Second baseman Brian Roberts started for a second straight night, but Samuel said he’ll likely hold him out of the starting lineup on Sunday …. After giving right fielder Nick Markakis the night off on Friday, Samuel said that he will likely do the same with center fielder Adam Jones in the next couple of days.
A Baltimore native, 
Comments
I don't know about the Tatum/Fox situation, but it's time for Matusz to make an extended trip to AAA.
Send him down, let him work on some mechanics and confidence issues. Clearly, another Oriole pitcher rushed to the big leagues, a long line whose ancestry dates back to Ben MacDonald.
Posted by: Ferg Deluxe | July 24, 2010 10:47 PM
Either of the considerations listed here are ridiculous. As stated the guys in the clubhouse would be upset if Tatum were sent down and Fox is out of options. I imagine Tatum himself might be wondering himself if someone else isn't a little more deserving to be sent packing.
Keeping an extra pitcher in the bullpen because of the inconsistency of the starters??? Really??? Is that what the FO is worried about at this point in the season? The young guns should all be up here for good including Tillman after the FO gets rid of Millwood. They should not be sent back down at all and learn how to pitch in the majors w/o fear of the revolving door. Mata, Hendrikson, take your pick but there's somebody down there who hasn't earned their place on even the worst team in the bigs. While guys like Tatum and Fox bust their butts and have to think about being sent down. What a travesty. While they're at it ship out Lugo, let him dog it for some other team and put Tejada back at short, another guy who gives it his all.
Anf finally....HIRE SHOWALTER ALREADY!!!
Posted by: Anonymous | July 24, 2010 11:50 PM
The wise decision is to leave both Fox and Tatum where they are at ---
and put Matt Wieters at Norfolk until he proves he cab hit with power at the major league level.
Posted by: Steve Eilertson | July 25, 2010 12:41 AM
If the Orioles demote Tatum, what they're really saying is "We quit. Q-W-I-T." I don't care of he still has options remaining. Even though Fox has more versatility, he doesn't play any of his different positions particularly well. If I was a runner at first base and saw Fox behind the plate, I'd want to have the green light knowing that I can smoke Fox like a bad cigar. Tatum has looked good defensively behind the plate and has been the Orioles' second-best hitter following the All-Star break after Gunner Scott.
Posted by: Attila the Hon | July 25, 2010 12:58 AM
Does anybody update after the games here? Why is this column still up and no mention of Tatum getting hurt last night? Or is he all better. But no mention anywhere just a couple of columns on whether to send him or Fox down. Is Tatum OK?
--
we had internet problems with the blog. Tatum has bruising, is fine and has been sent down.
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Jeff Z's reply: I updated that in a story on our web site. I had to rewrite the top of my notebook for the newspaper and then write a game story for the newspaper last night. Those were my priorities so I didn't get to the blog. However, a story that included info on Tatum's condition was on our web site last night.
Posted by: Quizicat | July 25, 2010 11:00 AM
First of all, this whole situation is a mess! And it's all Andy MacPhail's fault.
No one else's! Andy if you read this blog you haven't a clue as to how to manage a roster. None whatsoever.
Now with that being said.
I would keep Craig Tatum over Fox.
The number one reason being is that Tatum is a "TrueCatcher". Jake Fox is a utility guy with some power nothing more.
Now Andy please get back into the good graces of the "Oriole Faithful" by make some trades that make sense.
Looks like the Tigers need some help
They need a RF and 3b now that Inge and Ordonez. Tejada and Patterson could help there. I was impressed with Patterson and the way he play RF the other day. Also, the word on the street the Tigers need pitching help. We'll give you Millwood for free and Gutherie for Armando Galarraga. Not sure if that would happen though.
Also, Jeff from yesterday, the Royals haven't said directly that they would be willing to trade Alex Gordon. But to me it appears the writing is on the wall to do so if the right trade came along. But that's just my opinion. I think Gordon needs a change of scenery and would love to see if Gordon could help us out as first base!
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Jeff Z's reply: No, they haven't but any time over the past couple of years that I've asked a team official whether Gordon was available in a trade, I've been told that he isn't.
Posted by: Dan W | July 25, 2010 11:13 AM
Atilla - Tatum has thrown out only 2 of 23 would be base stealers this season. Fox in 12 games behind the plate, 9 as a starter, has thrown out 3 of 5.
Posted by: Ray | July 25, 2010 12:16 PM
I think the decision really came down to keeping as many players as possible within the organization's control for depth purposes. I also think that Tatum is the best backup catcher the O's have had in a very long time (excluding Greg Zaun's brief stay backing up Wieters).
Posted by: Boomer | July 25, 2010 1:56 PM