Random Orioles thoughts and opinions
As colleague Dan Connolly wrote in today’s O’s notebook, Charley Kerfeld, a special assistant to Philadelphia Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr., was at Camden Yards the last two nights. This comes on the heels of Jim Salisbury, a reporter for www.csnphilly.com, reporting that the Orioles have been scouting the Phillies’ minor league system and Major League roster. While the names of starters Jeremy Guthrie and Kevin Millwood have been connected to the Phillies, infielder Ty Wigginton probably makes the most sense, especially with the injuries to second baseman Chase Utley and third baseman Placido Polanco. Philadelphia has inquired about Wigginton before and they know him well. Howie Freiling, a special assignment scout for the Phillies who has scouted the Orioles several times this year, was Wigginton’s first professional manager with St. Lucie in the Florida State League in 1999. Another one of the Phillies’ scouts, Dave Hollins, worked with the Orioles the previous four seasons.
About four hours before nearly every game, Adam Jones can be found on the field, either getting his running in or tracking balls in center field hit or thrown by first base coach John Shelby. I say this to point out that Jones’ perceived regression defensively after he won a Gold Glove last year is not because of a lack of hard work. Jones works his butt off, making it hard to fathom how much he has struggled this season. Sure, he has misplayed some balls and allowed plenty of them to be hit over his head, spurring more debate about whether he plays too shallow. Just as troublesome to me, he still looks indecisive at times. In the third inning last night, Kurt Suzuki went from first to third on Ryan Sweeney’s single up the middle and didn’t even draw a throw from Jones. Suzuki runs well for a catcher but he was only one or two step past second base when Jones fielded the ball. It looked like he was dead to rites, yet no throw came. Four innings later, Kevin Kouzmanoff, also not exactly a burner, went from first to third on a Sweeney single up the middle. Jones did throw it this time, but not before he double clutched and then fired high and wide, giving third baseman Josh Bell no chance to tag the runner.
I think it would be a neat story if Jason Berken was the Orioles’ representative for the All-Star game, but let’s be honest, it is nearly impossible for a middle reliever from a last-place team to make the squad even if he is the most deserving candidate. So with that being said and with the knowledge the Orioles absolutely have to be represented, I can’t see picking anybody but Nick Markakis. I understand his three home runs and 25 RBIs aren’t All-Star worthy, but he has been far and away, the team’s best and most consistent player. He entered last night tied for first in the A.L. in doubles, fifth in walks, sixth in on-base percentage and 16th in average. Those numbers should count for something as should the fact that Markakis is one of the better corner outfielders in the A.L. Wigginton and Jones’ power numbers are obviously much sexier, but they haven’t been consistent offensively and they’ve struggled defensively.
Lefty Zach Britton’s six scoreless innings in his Triple-A debut on Thursday make him 5-0 with an 0.85 ERA over his last eight minor league starts. ESPN.com’s Keith Law recently named Britton the 16th best prospect in baseball and commented, “I haven’t found a scout who’s seen him without really liking him.” I can second that. But what I like most about Britton is that he uses his sinkerball to get a ton of groundballs. Aside from Brad Bergesen, whose sinker hasn’t been right all year, the other Orioles’ young starters are largely flyball pitchers. That’s a recipe for disaster in this ballpark and in this division.
It’s not a given that rookie third baseman Josh Bell is sent down on Monday when the club is expected to activate Felix Pie. The Orioles easily could keep him and jettison Frank Mata to Triple-A Norfolk. I’m sure interim manager Juan Samuel wants to make sure the team is covered in the bullpen with the starting rotation in the middle of a rough patch and 10 straight games against solid offensive teams in Boston (at least before the injuries, Detroit and Texas. But Mata isn’t exactly getting people out these days so he could be making the team’s decision to go to a seven-man bullpen easy. Either way, Bell will probably be in the lineup as the designated hitter tonight against knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, but I don’t expect to see him tomorrow night against ace lefty Jon Lester.
A Baltimore native, 
Comments
Markakis is an All-Star. Jeff, is it all teams or just your own team (or someone else entirely) that votes whether or not you are the All-Star representative?
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Jeff Z's reply: All teams, but Joe Girardi could have the final say in this case.
Posted by: OBoy | July 2, 2010 9:09 AM
Speaking of random, it appears to me that Orioles pitchers have a disturbing habit of losing focus, and giving up runs in bunches. This especially applies to the young pitchers. Matusz, Tillman, Arrieta, Bergeson all seem to have this problem. This seems to happen often; it's becoming quite predictable. I can understand young pitchers taking awhile to get it all together. But not all of them. Are they not properly prepared? Even Millwood and Guthrie, now that I think of it, seem to have these ADD innings. Why is this happening? Could there be a problem with the pitching coach?
Posted by: DonM | July 2, 2010 9:14 AM
I think keeping a 13th pitcher is stupid and I don't think many, if any, other teams do this. Bell needs to play if he stays, but, either way, I would drop a pitcher when Pie comes back. If they don't think Bell is ready to stay here, then I would bring up Salazar who is raking at AAA.
It's obviously too early to write off the possibility of Bell playing third base in the bigs, but he looks like a first baseman to me. He's a big guy who doesn't look to have particularly quick hands or feet.
What is the limit on how much time Gonzalez can stay in the minors. To me, I would leave him there until he is consistently dominating minor league hitters. The last thing we need is for that guy to come back and struggle again, both for the sake of the team and for his sake.
Posted by: terpfan | July 2, 2010 9:47 AM
Here is what I would like to see in 2011 or 2012.
Starting rotation: Arietta, Matusz, Britton, Tillman, Bergeson. No true #1 guy but possibly all solid guys with good balance of 2 lefties and 3 righties. Everyday players would be Roberts at 2nd, Bell at 3rd, Pie, Jones and Markakis in the outfield and Wieters behind the plate. Sign Adam Dunn as DH (perfect #4 hitter for this team). Overpay to get him if you must, but get him. He is only 30 and will hit 35 homers and draw over 100 walks. 1b and SS are still major questions, and I would go free agent for both. LF is a crapshoot between Pie, Reimold and getting a free agent (free agent would be preference).
Posted by: squibb | July 2, 2010 9:57 AM
Adam Jones may work his butt off to improve his defense but does he really take the game seriously enough to focus on the fly balls instead of blowing bubbles? There has been videos of him blowing bubbles while persuing flyballs over his head. Had I been his mgr, AJ would be on bench or told to get rid of the bubble gum so he focus on what's important - the ballgame. I doubt Earl Weaver would put up with AJ's bubble gum antics so why is Juan Samuel?
Posted by: CNC Orioles Fan | July 2, 2010 10:12 AM
to sqibb. dunn does not want to be a dh. the o's have no chance to sign him. he wants to play the field.
Posted by: freddy from boca | July 2, 2010 10:22 AM
Jones is a very good CF who is going to be great. The idiots who keep keep calling out our best player need to get a clue. There are much bigger glaring problems.
The O's need to go after AA Reading 1B Domenic Brown..the guy is a big & powerful lefty, just what we need. LHP Antonio Bastardo would be a nice additional as well
Posted by: Cereal Blogger | July 2, 2010 11:57 AM
Trading vets for prospects during the season has NOT worked for Orioles for 10+ losing seasons. Is there one former mid season acquisition on the roster?
After all the losing seasons, may be the Orioles management should try acquiring several vets who are being dumped becasue of their high salaries.
Posted by: Osfan | July 2, 2010 12:03 PM
I swear, it never ceases to amaze me how people think BUBBLE GUM has any damned thing to do with Jones' performance...I mean, SERIOUSLY???
Posted by: keith | July 2, 2010 12:38 PM
Cereal Blogger,
Did your Cereal have extra bran in it this morning? I hope the link I provide works.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=brown-001dom
Mr Brown has never played 1st base.
He's an OF
And if the Phillies trade him to the O's
which isn't likely. I would trade Adam Jones for him in a heart beat.
They both could us a change in secenery.
Also, I would love Adam Dunn in an Orioles uniform.Maybe he could play 1st base. But he really isn't known for his glove. Never was.
Or we could get Alex Gordon from the Royals to play 1st. Just not so sure if Gordon "The Next George Brett" is ready for the switch.
Posted by: Dan W | July 2, 2010 12:57 PM
would it be too much to ask the media to look into who the O's would be targeting in a trade with Philly? I'm more interested in who is coming to baltimore than I am who is leaving.
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Jeff Z's reply: The Orioles aren't exacting offering up the names of the Philadelphia prospects that they are looking at. But I can tell you this, they are not going to get a top prospect for Wigginton or Millwood. It will be more a mid-level guy.
Posted by: drunk richard | July 2, 2010 1:04 PM
Jones and his bubblegum blowing is amusing. I remember seeing him blowing a bubble while robbing someone (Youkalis I think it was) of a homer. It proves he can play ball and chew gum at the same time.
Posted by: DonM | July 2, 2010 1:34 PM
Put Bell at first, he'll never have the glove for 3rd. trade wiggy to Phils, keep loading up young prospects. Jones may end up a better left fielder than Center. Pie cannot stay healthy, so a regular LF would be nice. Move Patterson back to Center.
Posted by: bob | July 2, 2010 2:25 PM
Jones should get his eyes checked - sounds like deteriorating vision, not deteriorating skills/work ethic.
Posted by: JM | July 2, 2010 2:28 PM
Is that the same Dominc Brown that the Philly's wouldn't give up for Halladay? And you think they'll give him up for Wigginton?! Dude, what are you on, and where can I find some?!
Posted by: Mr. Deez | July 2, 2010 3:19 PM
keith,,,you dont know baseball, thats obvious to anyone who reads your posts.
Posted by: Cereal Blogger | July 2, 2010 3:34 PM
And you do, cereal??? So since I don't know baseball, explain my question to me: wtf does Jones blowing bubble gum have to do withany damn thing? I have yet to have any so-called knowledgeable baseball fan (I use that term loosely) who whines about said bubble gum to explain what difference it makes, and why if blowing bubbles is so bad why no one was complaining about it when Jones was playing well...
P.S. --I'm certain I know as much or more about the game than anyone that frequents this blog. Besides which, in the case of Jones we are actually in agreement for a change. You said in your post that "Jones is a very good OF who is going to be great". That is an opinion I agree with, and have always defended Jones against his attackers...so why you chose me defending him (and in essence agreeing with you) as a means to declare I don't know baseball is beyond me...
Posted by: keith | July 2, 2010 4:04 PM
I think the idea of Jones getting his vision checked is a good one (JM's post).
Posted by: Dan | July 2, 2010 5:21 PM
More and more I am thinking that perhaps Adam Jones possesses million dollar physical abilities but they are paired with a 10-cent brain.
Posted by: Gus Smegma | July 2, 2010 5:46 PM
Great post, Jeff. I really enjoy reading these kind of updates. Would love to see more like this.
My only regret is that you have to spend time answering comments about whether or not the Phillies (or any team) would trade their best prospects for our retread vets.
Posted by: chris | July 2, 2010 6:39 PM