Orioles-Angels lineups; Koji would like to stay but wants to win, too; other pre-game notes
ORIOLES
J.J. Hardy, SS
Nick Markakis, RF
Adam Jones, CF
Mark Reynolds, 3B
Matt Wieters, C
Derrek Lee, 1B
Nolan Reimold, LF
Josh Bell, DH
Robert Andino, 2B
Jeremy Guthrie, SP
ANGELS
Maicer Izturis, SS
Torii Hunter, RF
Bobby Abreu, DH
Vernon Wells, LF
Alberto Callaspo, 3B
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Mark Trumbo, 1B
Mike Trout, CF
Bobby WIlson, C
Tyler Chatwood, SP
I spoke this morning with reliever Koji Uehara, who is one of the Orioles' top trade chips along with today's starter, Jeremy Guthrie. Uehara said through his interpreter, Jiwon Bang, that he ignores the trade rumors.
"To be mentioned and to hear my name in the rumors obviously is a good thing. I look at it as a good thing," Uehara said. "I’m not really thinking about that. They are just rumors, right?"
Uehara has attracted interest from a boatload of teams, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers. The Orioles are entertaining trade offers for him, but they are looking to get a decent piece back. Uehara, 36, has a $4 million option that vests at 55 games. He's currently pitched in 41 games, allowing just nine earned runs on 23 hits and eight walks while striking out 59 over 45 innings.
"Playing for the contenders doesn’t really concern me," Uehara said. "The fact that I’m playing healthy, that’s satisfying. I’m really excited about that."
Uehara said that he definitely plans to pitch in the Major Leagues next year and if all things were equal, he'd like it to be with the Orioles.
"I love it here obviously," Uehara said. "I love the Baltimore Orioles, but it’s not going to be any fun if we don’t win. That’s the dilemma."
A couple of other notes: Cesar Izturis (SS) and Vladimir Guerrero (DH) are both scheduled to play for Double-A Bowie tonight. Both could be activated in time for Tuesday's series opener in Toronto. ... Orioles manager Buck Showalter said that Zach Britton remains on schedule to be promoted on July 30 to start one of the two games in the doubleheader against the New York Yankees that day. Showalter said that the other starter that day will either come from the Orioles minor league system or the bullpen.
A Baltimore native, 
Comments
Just curious; how does one say "dilemma" in Japanese?
Posted by: JustSayin | July 24, 2011 12:48 PM
So let me get this straight - Showalter's logic for his pitching decisions last night was to have Koji and JJ available today, yet he brings Worrell into a one-run game to give up three runs.
Excellent managing, Buck
Posted by: Christopher | July 24, 2011 3:35 PM
The Orioles continue to cement their status as the worst team in major league baseball, as Worrell, who could not pitch for any other major league team, get 3 appearances in 5 games for the Orioles.
AM should be fired tomorrow for running an operation that after four years gets you Worrell pitching in the 7th inning of a 1 run game. And then giving up a 3 run HR to a guy hitting 162, who was 0-3 on the day.
I'd say this is unbelievable stuff, but until MacPhail is gone, nothing is unbelievable.
Yea, what they need to do is trade pitching, because they have so much of it, how could it hurt??? Instead of trading anyone, fire the GM. You'll get more long term gain out of that than trading anyone.
Posted by: jim66 | July 24, 2011 3:39 PM
now, can they get rid of Worrell right now, before they do anything else. Three appearances, and 2 just flat out get-out-of-town results.
2 homeruns surrendered in a one run game.
For all we know, Showwalter is sticking it right in MacPhail's face. I hope he is.
Jeff, ask Andy if part of his plan was to have mark worrell pitching for the Orioles in a one run game.
Posted by: jim66 | July 24, 2011 3:43 PM
JustSayin: According to the web, the Japanese word for dilemma is "jirenma". Have no idea how to pronounce it, though I'm sure you could find it with a Google search. As a caveat, I know no Japanese at all, so take this with a grain of salt.
With regards to the column, I like Koji a lot, but his trade value will never be higher and if we can get good value in return, we should go for it.
Posted by: GaryB | July 24, 2011 4:24 PM
How does one say "Get me the hell away from this wacked out organization. I'm only kidding when I say it's any kind of fun here.
I've never seen such a freaking mess".
Posted by: jim66 | July 24, 2011 4:43 PM
Jeff,
Why does Buck use Worrell in key situations? His stuff does not look good - 88 fastball, 75 breaking ball. And his motion is not deceiving. I understand he's here for now, but this is twice now he's been in key situations (Boston) and looked absolutely horrible.
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Jeff Z's reply: He wanted to stay away from JJ or Koji unless O's had the lead and he obviously doesn't have much faith in the Orioles' other bullpen options. I don't blame him with that, but I was a little surprised with the choice today even though Worrell was having good success against righties in Triple-A. With an off day tomorrow, and that game very winnable, I was little surprised he didn't go to Johnson in 8th. But the clob is clearly determined to give Johnson days off when it can
Posted by: PeteyPablo | July 24, 2011 5:15 PM
At this point I'm so disgusted with what this once proud franchise has become, I'm hoping that every decent player on this team gets traded to some team that is actually trying to win. Let them all go, Weiters, Jones, Markakis, Koji, Johnson, Guthrie, all of them. Let them get to have real careers with real teams instead of wasting their lives with this sorry excuse for an organization.
Posted by: Roy | July 24, 2011 5:23 PM
Jeff -
would Guthrie be the best 20-game loser in modern MLB history?
If not, he's probably close.
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Jeff Z's reply: Yeah, he'd have to be in the conversation.
Posted by: dave in glen burnie | July 24, 2011 8:14 PM
This franchise is so far away from winning, they should listen to offers for absolutely every player on the team. No one, other than maybe Zack Britton or Matt Weiters, should be considered untouchable.
And McPhail and Joe Jordan should be instantly fired.
Posted by: King of the Donkeys | July 24, 2011 8:22 PM
JustSayin,
It is just "dilemma" in Japanese also. I don't konw when it was incorporated in Japanese. However, Almost Japanese use and understand "dilemma" without change.
The otherone is "ITABASAMI". It means double-bind.
Posted by: Koji | July 24, 2011 10:41 PM