More O's notes: Fox to Bucs more likely; firings in Baltimore; O’s-Jays pitching matchups
We mentioned this Wednesday, but it seems even more appropriate now. It would be a real surprise if Jake Fox, who is on waivers, gets past the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Pittsburgh Tribune Review is reporting that starting catcher Chris Snyder (lower back injury) will be placed on the disabled list today and will be replaced on the roster by catcher Wyatt Toregas.
Toregas, at least temporarily, will back up Dusty Brown, who was summoned when catcher Ryan Doumit fractured his ankle. The Pirates’ third catcher, Jason Jaramillo, is on the minor league disabled list with an elbow injury.
So, at this point, the Pirates will have their No. 4 and No. 5 catchers on their big league roster. We all know Jake Fox isn’t Johnny Bench, but he should be able to crack that rotation.
The Pirates were interested in claiming Fox this spring -- it seemed like he hit 40 homers against them in March -- but he wasn’t put on waivers. I was told by an industry source this week that the Bucs weren’t interested in trading for Fox this week because they didn’t have an obvious place for him.
Now they do, and he wouldn’t cost them a player. One other thing to remember here: The Pirates are playing. 500 ball, and since the waiver wire goes in reverse order of the standings -- it is not specific to league -- there are roughly a dozen teams that will have an earlier crack at Fox.
A claim, if there is one, should be announced by Friday afternoon. If he isn’t claimed, Fox will be outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk.
A few more things:
Here’s a note to major league baseball’s struggling teams: Don’t come to Baltimore if you want to keep your management.
Today, the Oakland A’s fired Bob Geren after his team was swept by the Orioles on Wednesday and replaced him with former Arizona Diamondbacks manager (and former Orioles catcher) Bob Melvin.
Last year, the Florida Marlins fired Fredi Gonzalez after a loss in Baltimore. In 2009, the Toronto Blue Jays fired general manager J.P. Ricciardi after a loss in Baltimore.
Sensing a trend?
By the way, good luck to Melvin, a really good guy who was mentioned as a possibility for the O’s job last year but didn’t get an interview.
The pitching matchups for next week’s games in Toronto is: Tuesday, RHP Carlos Villanueva vs. LHP Zach Britton; Wednesday, LHP Ricky Romero vs. RHP Jake Arrieta; and Thursday, RHP Brandon Morrow vs. RHP Jeremy Guthrie.
A Baltimore native, 
Comments
It's interesting to compare Oakland's firing of Geren to how Baltimore handled Trembley last year. Regardless of the circumstances and differences, there is something to be said about accountability and maintaining standards, and the consequences of failure.
Posted by: PeteyPablo | June 9, 2011 2:13 PM
DAN I am worried about the lack of pitching at delmarva.. They have had an awesomeoffense early but the pitching stats are scary... SEVERAL GUYS HAVE GONE UP TO FREDERICK who has some good pitchers going.. I ESPECIALLY LIKED A young 19 yr.oldss/3b/2b named SCHOOP he along with MACHADO GIVE ME SOME INFIELD HOPE... I don't see any leadoof types except a few outfielders..
Posted by: GRANT | June 9, 2011 3:47 PM
Dan,
I read the headline "firings in Baltimore" and hoped it was about McPhail getting axed. Oh well.....
Posted by: Tim in NC | June 9, 2011 4:58 PM
Hey Dan, do you have the pitching matchups for this weekend? Matusz is next right?
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Jeff Z's reply: Friday is Arrieta vs. Hellickson; Saturday is Guthrie vs. Price; and Sunday is Matusz vs. Wade Davis.
Posted by: dawgtech | June 9, 2011 5:53 PM
Dan,
I agree, MCFAIL needs to beat it....Name to throw out there is John Hart, former Indians GM during the 1990's, when Hargrove won everything.
Posted by: Steven Gianoulos | June 9, 2011 9:34 PM
John Hart is also a former manager in the Orioles' farm system, I believe.
Posted by: Bill56 | June 9, 2011 10:29 PM
Tim and Dan are absolute knuckleheads. Andy MacPhail is the best thing that's happened to the O's in a decade and a half. he finally go the owner to back off and let a baseball guy get to work. anyone can see the system is starting to work. we're not there yet but we're on the way.
Posted by: gary in NJ | June 9, 2011 11:50 PM
Why didn't we draft Rendon? A cheap move me thinks.
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Because he is an injury risk and the Orioles really liked Bundy, who will probably cost more than Rendon.
Posted by: Ryan Giggs | June 10, 2011 4:38 AM