I love Guthrie, but if we can get a good bat for him, go with these 5:
1 Matusz
2 Tillman
3 Arrieta
4 Bergesen
5 Britton

Why not? Absolutely nothing to lose at this point! And who knows, maybe they can string together some quality starts by September and give us some faint hope for next year!

I see the rotation as a slow clockwise spiral downward until they reach 108 losses.

The sad part is, there's not really any other choices. Keep running the same guys out there. So probably Matusz, Guthrie, Arietta, Millwood, and Bergeson or Britton. There's nobody to turn to in the organization that's worth anything.

The problem is that knowing what we know right now, going forward, I think you have to assume that most of that rotation is going to continue their struggles. If one or more pitchers turns a corner then fine, but assuming they don't, that's a lot of innings that needs to be bridged. Whose arm(s ) will be leaned on to fill in for those short outings that are likely to happen? Can we reasonably put a real prospect in harm's way? Wouldn't that essentially be a similar scenario that we saw more often around here, that would ruin a prospect a la DCab, Penn, Olson, Maine, etc. Not that I think they were that great, buut I think they could have been put into more advantageous situations which may have translated into something beneficial for the org, like, say, trade value (Just look at the Joe Saunders trade, who might be comparable to one of those beforementioned pitchers if they were handled well).

Even in a "normal" rebuilding season around here, we expect a second half collapse in August and September due to innings gaps in the rotation and pen. This year, being worse than normal, I think it is credible to consider how the collapse might be even more severe, either by length, breadth, or both.

I think it's pretty telling that no one has responded yet. For what it's worth, I say bring up as many young arms as possible to see what they've got against major league hitters. Either that or the Os can take a page out of Dick Vermeil's early coaching book and have an open try out.

Try Guthrie, Millwood, Hernandez, Hendrickson -- and use the fifth spot as "to be won by performance" spot for top minor league performers over several performances -- be it Britton, Tillman, Matusz, Arrieta or Bergesen (all of whom I'd put in Tidewater. I'd send them to Tidewater and pay Jim Palmer whatever it takes to get him to spend 24-7 with all of them in Norfolk and hope something better results cause whatever is being done right now is not working.)

Matusz, Tillman, Bergesen, Arrieta, Britton (Guthrie*, Millwood#, Hendrickson+)
* Traded Away
# Claimed on Waivers in August
+ Starts a few games before Britton comes up

Who else could be there? Hernandez and Berken seem perfect in the pen, These guy have more upside (expect for Brad)

Five I would want though:
Guthrie, Matusz, Arrieta, Britton, Tillman
-Guthrie is a good piece under control for the next winning season (we hope)
- The others need plenty of time to show what they can do
- If Millwood is stinking he should not be here if he going to leave in offseason anyway

Groucho, Harpo, Chico, Zeppo, and Gumbo.

---
Barkeep's Reply: OK, I laughed. Drink chip your way.

Somewhere between very poor, and why bother? Most teams have enough depth at the mlb level that they don't need to rush young arms. Look at Phil Hughes and Clay Buckholz. The both had some success early, than struggled and were sent back down until they were absolutely ready. Now they are both very good pitchers. Our young arms just get thrown to the wolves like a hunk of raw meat. You have to crawl before you walk.

Barring a trade and beginning Aug. 1, I would have a rotation of:

1) Millwood
2) Guthrie
3) Matusz
4) Uehara
5) Hendrickson

Get your money's worth! I'd bring up Troy Patton as a reliever. But I think Bergensen, Arieta and Tillman should be at Norfolk until the AAA season ends.

Guthrie
Millwood
Matusz
Bergy
Arrieta

If the O's trade away Millwood or Guthrie. I would bring up Tillman and let him take his lumps up at the Major League level he has to learn how to pitch in the bigs. I do not think Britton is anywhere near ready for the majors (yet).. And of Course Bergy and Arrieta are going to have some off nights they are young but hopefully they will start adjusting better

Palmer
McNally
Cuellar
Dobson
Barber

Guthrie
Millwood
Matusz
Bergy
Arrieta

If the O's trade away Millwood or Guthrie. I would bring up Tillman and let him take his lumps up at the Major League level he has to learn how to pitch in the bigs. I do not think Britton is anywhere near ready for the majors (yet).. And of Course Bergy and Arrieta are going to have some off nights they are young but hopefully they will start adjusting better

Can we get Kris Benson?

I really don't think you have any choice.
Guthrie
Matusz
Arrieta
Tillman
Bergesen

I think of more importance is how the pitchers are developed. Britton should come up now and slid into the bullpen and get his feet wet in non pressure situations. This ideally should have been done with all of the above starters but for whatever reason was not. Some of these starters look as if they are petrified to pitch to contact, they look as if they have forgotten their mechanics completely. If the Orioles are going to go this way then they are going to have to let these young kids take their lumps, pulling them after 50 pitches and 5 runs is not going to work you are going to have to leave them in to suffer and hopefully learn from a bad outing. They have to get innings and experience.

Whatever 5 on the pitching staff draws the shortest straws.

Go with a three man rotation of Larry, Moe and Curly , it couldn't be much worse than it already is....................

1. Guthrie (would have to be blown away to trade him)
2. Millwood (trade or try to let someone claims him on waivers).
3. Matusz (I still have faith...the offense has gone through a lot of struggles)
4. Arrietta (I like his demeanor)
5. Bergeson (last years performance and FEW good starts this year, I always thought he could be a Scott erickson type)

the obvious back ups if we trade Guthrie and millwood - tillman and Britton. If any of these starters faulter send em to the bullpen. That goes for the Calvary. Sending down to AAA isn't going to help and if they can't be consistent then maybe with smart managing we can use what little talent they have 1-3 innings at a time

1 Guthrie
2 Matusz
3 Arrieta
4 Bergesen
5 Tillman

These kids need major league experience. That means there's gonna be a lot of ugly pitching lines. The team needs a veteran in the rotation to mentor the others. As far as I know, the O's coaching staff has no pitchers with much if any major league mound experience. You can teach the kids how to grip a baseball, but you can't teach them how to handle the pressure of the game if you haven't dealt with it. Guthrie has those experiences, where the youngsters and most of the coaches do not.

I think at this point in the season a 6-man rotation would benefit the young hurlers as well as help the bullpen situation.This rotation should stay in place most of the rest of the season so the young hurlers will not feel the pressure of being demoted to the minor leagues with one or two less than stellar performances. They are under enough pressure, knowing they will receive little run support.If Britton is brought up in September, put him in the rotation and replace the hurler who has been the least effective. Place that pitcher in long relief, but let them all pitch to get the experience for next year.

Millwood or Guthrie (whichever one is not traded)
Arrieta
Bergesen
Matusz
Tillman

1. Guthrie
2. EB
3. JP
4. Lurch
5. Cakes

the games would at least be entertaining...

1. Guthrie
2. Matusz
3. Tillman
4. Arrieta
5. Berken (reward for exceptional performance)
6. Britton (when rosters expand)

Trade Millwood. Bullpen Bergeson

The Cavalry has retreated.

Winding up working at Maggie Moo's in Fells Point might be considered by some of the members of the current rotation. Also, the scooping might actually strengthen the ol forearm.

But seriously, the Brain Trust should figure out who their best 5 guys are and keep them up in the Majors for the rest of the year.
I am not concerned about the bullpen.
I think Hernandez and Simon are just fine. But they really need to figure out whose their best five are and stick with them for the rest of the year!

Ok, for my two cents here's what I see as out best option for a rotation the rest of the year . . .

1. Jim Palmer
2. Dave McNally
3. Mike Cuellar
4. Pat Dobson

Ok, a guy can wish can't he??

One thing I believe strongly at this sad point is, Leave the Starter In the Game! Say the starter blows up and you're losing 6-1 after five. Samuel will take the guy out, hoping to hold it to a 7-2 loss, and burn up the bullpen. I say leave the guy in there for seven innings or 120 pitches or something, no matter what. Who cares if we lose 7-2 or 15-2? It's ugly either way, but if we've used the bullpen for four innings we're throwing away a win we might have gotten tomorrow, or next week. Once the game is lost, it's time to think about future games, not throw more and more relievers under the bus.

Once again spring training for next year, before this year is over! Keep the rotation the way it is, our only expectation ONCE AGAIN is to let the new guys get first hand experience.
When the formal spring training starts in February, hopefully the managerial search will be over, EACH AND EVERY PLAYER will have to earn a call up. As far as I’m concerned you want to play like a AA ball club, then that’s what you are. If that means Wieters starts the year in Bowie, then so be it. If Markakis has to be the starting right fielder for the Tides till May, okay. If someone wants to hustle, play with a little life, and treat each and every pitch like their career depends on it, I say, “Welcome to Oriole Park!”
If next year we’re looking at the once laughable 130 loss mark, MacPhail is out as is everyone else. Time for Angelos to start writing blank checks or sell the team. This organization is a JOKE!

Henrdickson... give me a break. Everytime he comes into the game I change the channel. The fact that he is still in the majors is incredible since he cant even get the right handed bat boy out. Im really surprised he is actually listed in some of these rotation ideas. I would run out

Guthrie
Matusz
Bergenson
Arrieta
Millwood

The problem with just running the young guys out there is the bullpen is just taxed too much. You need a veteran or 2 to at least attempt to go 6 plus.

Starters
1. Eenie
2. Meenie
3. Minie
4. Moe
5. U. NoWho

Set up Guy - Manny
Closer - Jack

Let's start with Markakis, heck no one is getting on in front of him to drive in, so let's have him pitch to get something for the $$$ he's making this year.He was a pretty good pitcher wasn't he?? He might even enjoy it. Could it hurt anymore than it does to watch who we throw out there now??? For the rest of the rotation, to quote Bill Murray in Meatballs, 'it just doesn't matter'!!!!

I agree with the first poster...

1 Matusz
2 Tillman
3 Arrieta
4 Bergesen
5 Britton

Trade Guthrie AND Millwood. Also, trade Tejada, Izturis, Wiggington, and Scott.

Bring up Bell and Mahoney to play the corners. Let Lugo play SS the rest of the year and then release him. Bring up Andino as the back up.

Get some more prospects for the above players at the lower levels who may have more potential. We won't get anything at the higher levels.

Make some big moves in the off season who can actually make a difference. This season is a lost cause. Better to finish last and get the #1 overall. Let the kids play and get them experience no matter how they play. Re-evaluate at the end of the year and SPEND THE MONEY. Nothing else will matter unless you spend in this next off season.

You put to many restrictions on this question. Guthrie is the only MLB player in that group. As far as the cavalry? Time to introduce them to Custer

1. Guthrie
2. Arrieta -
3. Matusz
4. MIllwood
5. Tillman

For the remainder of 2010 and for 2011:
Guthrie
Matusz
Arrieta
Britton
Tillman

TRADE Millwood.
RELEASE Gonzalez

SEND DOWN Bergesen and let him get accustomed to working out of the bullpen. With Uehara gone next year, Brad can step in and take that role.

DO NOT TRADE GUTHRIE. He will be the rock around which next year's rotation will be built.

Ah, such an easy question...

Britton
Tillman
Matusz
Arrieta
...and Ryan Berry!

WOO!

1. Guthrie
2. Matusz
3. Arrieta
4. Bergesen
5. Britton

If we can get a good deal for Guthrie then deal him and bring Tillman back up. The only problem with all young guys is that our bullpen may get slammed. If these guys can start pitching into at least the 6th inning, then we may end up stretching out some relievers. Once rosters expand that won't be too much of an issue though. Keep Hernandez and Berken in the pen. Don't mess with what is working, and that is one of the few things actually working for the O's. Plus, they have both had their shots in the rotation and were not overly impressive. Britton has to come up though. I can't see how you can justify keeping up Matusz, Arrieta, and Bergy while they are constantly getting chased early and having Britton dominate in AAA. Tillman needs to be up also, but only when they can let him keep the starting job. He can't keep getting sent up and down every few weeks. And hopefully Millwood is just let loose. Trade him for anything, or just outright release him. Maybe someone will bite after the non waiver deadline...

In response to Dave, I would rather see: Sneezy, Happy, Doc, Grumpy and Dopey run out every 5 days, with Bashful and Sleepy in the 'pen

Where is Sidney Ponson when we need him?

Let's find out if these young pitchers can be productive major leaguers. When Millwood pitches, I won't watch the game as he will not be part of the future so is a waste of time now. Trade Guthrie for hitting prospect(s). Go with a rotation of :
Matusz
Arrieta
Tillman
Bergensen
Britton

Lou

Dan, what are you putting in the drinks today?

Here's what my crystal ball sees. Guthrie has another good game on Wednesday, and someone offers enough value to the Orioles to trade him before 4pm on Saturday. Millwood doesn't generate any worthwhile interest so he sticks around until August 28th. That leaves, in no particular order:

Millwood
Matusz
Bergesen
Arrieta
Tillman

In September, after Millwood clears waivers and the Orioles get a reasonable offer for him, then Britton comes up. This all assumes none of these guys reach their innings limit before the end of the season.

One of the above suggestions lost all credibility when I saw Uehara listed. lol That would last about twice thru the rotation before he wound up on DL.

I also have ZERO desire to see Hendrickson start another game. Gives me no reason to watch whatsoever.

Trade Millwood for anything you can get.... trade Guthrie only if the price is right... after watching Bergesen tonite, the dude is not a ML starter... I dont care what he did last year.

Guthrie
Matusz
Arrieta
Tillman
Britton

Mussina

What ever happend ot this guys??? thats right moose went to the damn yankees.

Guthrie seems to fall into that average 3, strong 4 guy but with his age and salary, I see no reason to get rid of him. He could be a guy who performs well (12-15 wins) for ten years. Every good club needs guys like him in the rotation. He is durable and carrier himself well. I think he has to stay as the number 2 for now and Millwood has to stay as the number 1. Matuz has to take his lumps and go out there every five days no matter what for the remainder of the year. He's your #3. 4 and 5 is a u pick em but I would like to see Tillman and Arrieta get the chance to keep going out there. I like Bergy but he really seems to lost whatever it is he had.

Millwood
Guthrie
Matuz
Tillman
Arrieta
**Hendrickson as spot starter or #6 guy.

Why didn't the O's make a move for Haren? He was gotten for a mediocre pitcher and a couple of mediocre prospects, things we have plenty of. He has a decent contract and is locked up beyond this year. Seems these are the moves AM should be making despite our place in the standings. That is a move which could of helped dramatically next year.

I would do somethng no one else has identified: bring up the AAA pitching coach. Under his leadership, the pitchers we're taking about have done well.

go with Tillman, Arrieta, Matusz, Britton. Two lefties and two righties. Change the workouts between starts. Change the routine in the system of how pitchers workout between starts so they can pitch every four days, not five. with four starters in the bullpen in Bergense, Hernandez, Berken, and Troy Patton, you have 4 guys who can go 3 innings. Bergensen can join Berken and Hernandez in the bullpen. Troy Patton can join Ohlman and Gonzales as lefties in the bulllpen.

Britton
Arrieta
Matusz
Tillman
AND ME

Not to worry. By the time most fashionably-late yuppy fans get seated we'll all have been yanked out anyway.

Does it really matter Dan?

OK, OK, I'll play along.

Guthrie
Millwood
Hendrickson
Gabino
George

Burn up Millwood and Hendrickson - 110+ picthes per; see if Gabino and George pitch well enough to trade them in the offseason; prepare the younger pitchers now for 2011, and let them work on mechanics and techniques in Norfolk.

Barring a trade and beginning Aug. 1, I would have a rotation of:

1) Millwood
2) Guthrie
3) Matusz
4) Uehara
5) Hendrickson

Get your money's worth! I'd bring up Troy Patton as a reliever. But I think Bergensen, Arieta and Tillman should be at Norfolk until the AAA season ends.

Atleast Uehara keeps the team into the game until the 5th or 6th inning, Right now, the starter are giving up 3,4 or 5 runs by the end of the second.

Then on September 1, you can take a look at what you want from Norfolk or the bullpen as starters(Tillman, Arieta, Bergesen, Berken, Hernandez or others).

I was gonna say what Bug and outtahere said, but I'll go a step farther, and at the risk of being tasteless say, sure some of those guys are deceased, but even the ontologically impaired could pitch better then this current crop. May they rest in peace.

Since the All-Star break, O's pitching is giving up an average of 6.6 runs per game. Six point friggin' six! Seriously? They could pick up 4-5 kids from a local high school and build a better staff. Hell, 4-5 monkeys from the Maryland Zoo would pitch better. Fire the lot and start over.

Starting Rotation: Bullpen:
1. Brad Bergesen LRP.Brandon Erbe
2. Brian Matusz MRP. Troy Patton
3. Jake Arrieta MRP. Jeremy Guthrie
4. Zach Britton MRP. Alfredo Simon
5. Chris Tillman MRP. Mike Gonzalez
SU. Jason Berken
CL. David Hernandez

Starting lineup: Bench:
1. Felix Pie LF Jake Fox
2. Adam Jones CF Scott Moore
3. Nick Markakis RF Robert Andino
4. Matt Wieters C Lou Montanez
5. Nolan Reimold DH
6.Josh Bell 3B
7.Ryhne Hughes 1B
8.Justin Turner SS
9.Brian Roberts 2B