Well actually two changes, with Wieters catching instead of Fox.

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Jeff Z's reply: Meant one change from what has been their regular lineup.

I am starting to really think brain roberts is made out of tissue paper, he is sick again but i truly admire is desire to play. Jeff it took me a number of years before i stopped blaming the GM's of the orioles and most recently Andy M. I now realize what a no win situation they have been in, with the inability to get top tier free agents to come here despite the amount of money they are offered. Prime example after finishing last season 34 and 23 the orioles had no choice but to spend money this year to try and satisfy this fans base because they had finally gotten some hope back with buck and the way they finished last year off. But lets get real here Jeff not one team in this league were willing to sign either vlad or derrick lee to any contract the highest any team went with Vlad was 3 million but because the orioles felt pressure from there fan base they offered 8 million to sign a aging over the hill ball player. The same holds true for derrick lee. He was coming off thumb surgery and nobody wanted him but the orioles needed a first baseman due to lack of prospects in there own organization and were forced to sign him for 7,500,000 another over the hill ball player.Now don't get me wrong both of the above mentioned players were great players in there day but especially vlad had played on teams that were in contention or went to the playoffs every year. I finally get what the orioles were trying to do but you can't get players that have been in this league for 15 years to come to a team with very little if any chance of getting to the playoffs. 13 games into the season you can already see the lack of interest and desire on both players parts, just imagine what they will be like in another couple of months.This organization regardless of who manages them are behind the 8 ball and will remain that way for many many years to come. Brian roberts will be 34 years old next year Vald and derrick lee won't be here and the only legtimate prospect left in the minors is at least 3 years away in Manny machido. In this years draft the orioles have 1 selection in the top 60 picks while boston and Tampa bay have 10. As much as i put my heart and soul into this team it's like spinning wheels , we just keep going round and round and round and never get anywhere. While 13 games into any season is way to early to write a script the signs are already pointing to a team that is destined to fail. It's nice to have hope but it can tear you up inside if you let it. Once again i finally get what they are trying to accomplish but doubt very much if it can happen.

Posted by: blancione | April 17, 2011 9:30 AM

like fox but nottttt as a catcher! hang in there guys I know the weather has not been fun Ive been sick toooo

Jeff, what do you make of Jones' offensive production? He's looked rather lackluster as of late, and has a lot of strikeouts, in your opinion whats going on here?

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Jeff Z's reply: His pitch selection still isn't as good as it needs to be. Pitchers know they don't have to throw him strikes to get him out.

Sure glad the O's kept Pie as a backup to Jones. He plays a decent defense and is a natural centerfielder. Jones is scuffling a bit, so it's not a bad idea to sit him and let him collect his thoughts. Jeff, had Pie been let go, who backs up Jones? Reimold? Markakis?

Go O's and get back to .500!

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Jeff Z's reply: If they had traded Pie, they would have probably signed somebody else to serve as the 4th outfielder. Or maybe Randy Winn or Matt Angle make the team.

Jeff, why is everyone sick? Is there a bug going around or something? I know it's far fetched, but after what happened to the Nats' prospect and with several guys all in close proximity to each other, it's hard not to think of the worst.

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Jeff Z's reply: Weather has been awful on this trip. Lot of rain. 40 degree temperatures. Wind.

That ok Jeff you don't need to comment on any of my posts , i must have been crazy to think that us getting along or agreeing on things was going to last forever.

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Jeff Z's reply: If I recall correctly, you didn't ask me a question. You were just making statements, which is certainly fine. I don't usually comment when people voice their opinions or I'd be commenting on every post. I usually just answer when somebody asks me a direct question.

Jones sitting a wake-up call? I hope so...I think he might swing if they fake throwing the ball...maybe he thinks if he swings off his heels like Pedro it will work? I think Pedro should sit a bit in favor of Scott as DH with Pie in left once in awhile....with bad groin I don't think Scott could play first to give Lee a day

The O's need to get Pie in the lineup more. He started off last year hot before getting hurt, then had decent numbers down the stretch. After his abysmal start in '09, he played a lot better in the 2nd half. They have to give him a shot to be an everyday player. Scott can hit the ball a mile, but now they have Lee, Vlad and Reynolds. At least one of those four won't pan out, and they still need people to get on base for those guys. Mark my words, Pie will be an everyday player come the 2nd half.

Blancione,

Are you familiar with what is called a paragraph?

How about Fox for anyone like Lee or Vladdy. I guess a homer and a triple is not enough to get out of ShowOffs dog house

Jeff,

It is clear that the O's are not hitting. But here is a generic question. Even with the designated hitter as opposed to the pitcher, so far national league teams seem to be hitting just about as well as American League teams. Any thoughts on the value of the Designated hitter?

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Jeff Z's reply: We're only 2 1/2 weeks into the season. I'm sure it will become obvious.

blancione,

It would be easier to read your comments if you made some paragraphs and spacing between them instead of having 40+ consecutive lines of text.

If you try to run on a lower budget you need to have a lot of luck since you need:
1. Most of your prospects reach their potential
2. Avoid injuries to top prospects and any free agents you sign
3. Be smart or lucky enough to trade trade prospects that will fizzle out before they do and keep the ones that will succeed.

In the Orioles case the really have almost no depth in the minors. Just look at AAA starting rotation. None of those guys are ML pitchers. Same with most of their infielders.

They really need Machado to be the super star and be in the majors by the time he is 21. Weiters is excellent defensively but nothing offensively (at least what people expect and he is being paid for).

Just like Adam said " it was the players and not Buck who won the games during the comeback last year." Well guess what Adam. You're not winning games now and you can't blame Buck. Sit down. Felix gets a shot.

Rather than saying that someone strained his left intercostal muscle, how bout telling us where the muscle is? I guarantee the vast majority of readers have never heard of the intercostal muscle.Same thing for labrum tears and lot of other anatomically-based diagnoses sportswriters throw out.

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Jeff Z's reply: It's in the lower back, ribcage/oblique area. I've written it quite a few times.