Is a manager still considered "interim" if he's assured of keeping the job through the rest of this season, with no guarantees for 2008?

We'll just call Dave Trembley "manager."

Andy MacPhail, president of baseball operations, just confirmed in a conference call with reporters that Trembley will remain as manager this season.

"I think it's pretty self-evident that we won't be making any managerial changes in-season," MacPhail said.

No word on what happens after the season. I'm sure the Orioles will see who's available, while also taking into account what Trembley does over the final two months.

MacPhail also said he doesn't believe the Orioles came real close to making a deal before the non-waiver deadline. He was surprised that teams didn't come back to him to rekindle talks once they failed to land players on other clubs that they had targeted.

He noted that "well over 90 percent" of inquiries from other teams focused on the Orioles' core of young starters.

"There's nothing out there more precious than young starting pitching," he said. "We're pretty fortunate. We appear to have the one thing that's always going to be in demand."

MacPhail estimated there was a 50-50 breakdown between calls coming into the warehouse and calls leaving it. He also said the Orioles would have needed to be "extraordinarily overwhelmed" to move Erik Bedard. He wouldn't confirm that the Rangers wanted the left-hander, of course, but there's no question he was the guy.

MacPhail also believes the Orioles didn't lose any opportunities to move players after the season. The ships haven't sailed on certain guys. It just didn't happen by 4 p.m. today. And there's still a chance that some players will pass through waivers later.

One area the Orioles targeted when attempting to make a deal was young minor league talent at high levels that could be put in specific positions and stay there for the next five or six years, eliminating any worries about upgrading later. They clearly were going to be sellers.

But in the end, nothing changed.

MacPhail said the Orioles weren't going to do "something stupid just to show we were doing something."

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 5:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (20)
                    

Is there another catching Molina that we don’t know about? Maybe "Funky Cold" Molina?

Still no trades coming from the warehouse.  

Since I received a Craig Anderson question: The Orioles signed him as a minor league free agent in November 2005. He spent the 2005 season with Brockton of the independent Canadian-American League, and pitched last year at Single-A Frederick, Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Ottawa. He was born in Gosford, Australia and lives in Ourimbah. He’ll be 27 on Oct. 30.

Hope that helps.

There has to be one Pedro Swann fan out there. The former Oriole (circa 2003) is playing right field for Ottawa. Jason Dubois’ bases-loaded, walk-off single last night cleared Swann’s head in Norfolk’s 7-6 victory.

Garrett Olson pitches tonight for the Tides.

Any UNC-Wilmington grads out there? MASN has become the official cable network of the Seahawks. It will air up to nine live men’s basketball games this winter, along with "Seahawks Sports Roundup" and "The Benny Moss Show."

I’ll assume Moss is the head coach, and not a raunchy British comedian.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 2:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (19)
                    

It's pretty quiet at the warehouse today, with the non-waiver deadline about 4 1/2 hours away as I type this entry. That could all change, but the Orioles don't appear to be close to making a deal right now.

I'm not confident that the Orioles will re-sign Erik Bedard. But as much as I'd like to see Mark Teixeira in the middle of the Orioles' lineup, I'm not surrendering Bedard in any trade right now.

He's a legitimate No. 1 starter, a rarity these days. He's a product of the farm system. He's a left-hander. He's a keeper.

Maybe Teixeira signs a long-term deal with the Braves. Maybe we'll learn that playing for the Orioles wasn't that important to him after all. Maybe Don Mattingly is the Yankees' manager by 2008 and Teixeira, who idolized the first baseman, ends up wearing pinstripes.

Or maybe Teixeira files for free agency and the Orioles immediately become the frontrunners to sign him.  

I'd rather take that chance than trade Bedard.

Here's my question: If you knew Teixeira would sign an extension with the Orioles, would you  trade Bedard right now?

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 11:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (46)
                    

A short review of The Simpsons Movie:

Very funny.

OK, that might have been too short, but there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. It's just a shame I had to sell a kidney to afford three tickets.

To clarify something I wrote in a recent entry: I never said the Rangers wanted Daniel Cabrera as part of a Mark Teixeira deal and the Orioles wouldn't part with him. Cabrera wasn't the pitcher who interested the Rangers. Read Jeff Zrebiec's story in tomorrow's edition of The Sun and it'll all make sense.

If the Braves want to rent Teixeira for the rest of this season and 2008, good for them. They're a yearly contender. They figure it's worth trading all those top-level prospects, even if they don't sign Teixeira to an extension, if it means making a serious run at the World Series.

It makes no sense for the Orioles to give up top prospects, and a pitcher who isn't named Daniel Cabrera, if Teixeira is going to test the free-agent waters after the 2008 season. They wouldn't rent Tim Hudson or Derrick Lee, and they're not going to rent Teixeira, though he would have been under their control through next season.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 9:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (24)
                    

I’m taking my daughter, who’s visiting from Arizona, to The Simpsons Movie tonight. Anyone seen it? The television show hasn’t been funny in years and I stopped watching it – The Family Guy rules - but the movie reviews are good.

Nice U-turn from Miguel Tejada yesterday as he approached second base.

Tomorrow, he’ll try to parallel park between third and home.

Just don’t run over the cones, Miggy, or they’ll fail you.

As always, I love those New York rumors. Johnny Damon to the Orioles? Yeah, right after Billy Martin rises from his grave, flaps his giant ESPN ears and lands in the Yankees’ dugout again.

I had to work in one more reference to The Bronx is Burning. Has the Son of Sam blamed the neighbor’s dog for telling him to kill? I missed the last episode.

I’ve often blamed the dog, but it’s usually for the weird smell in the room.

If I was a betting man, I’d say the most likely Oriole to be traded before tomorrow’s non-waiver deadline is (drum roll, please)…Jay Payton.

If the Orioles are going to spend the rest of the season evaluating Dave Trembley, here’s hoping he has a competitive team to work with. Otherwise, the front office needs to take that into account. Don’t "Hargrove" him and leave him with crap.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 10:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (50)
                    

The Yankees found a recipe for success today: Collect eight doubles and nine walks. You'll usually win.

I told you Jamie Walker wasn't going to close today!

Paul Bako set a career high with four walks today, and he reached base five times, including a single in the ninth inning.

I caught Cal Ripken's Hall of Fame induction speech on the video board. Most of the ballpark had emptied. A Baltimore City police officer estimated that 1,200 fans stayed back to watch. A team employee pushed the total between 5,000 and 8,000, which seemed a little high.

Ripken choked up once, while talking about his children. He somehow got through all references to his dad without breaking down, which really surprised me. He made special mention of former teammates Eddie Murray, John Shelby and Brady Anderson, and head trainer Richie Bancells for keeping him in one piece.

The most touching moment, besides when the Iron Man began to cry, came when he referred to wife Kelly as "the love of my life" and held up what appeared to be a white rose. Rather than step away from the podium to give it to her, he told his son, Ryan, that he might need a little help passing it along. Ryan reached into his sport coat, pulled out a flower that looked identical and handed it to his mother.

Ripken opened with a humerous anecdote about how he recently was offering instruction to a young boy who had no idea that Ripken played in the majors, or with which team. As he was walking away, he turned to Cal and said, "Should I know you?" For Ripken, it put today's moment into perspective.

Another nice touch: When Cal thanked the crowd in Cooperstown for sharing his work ethic and making the world a better place.

The speech didn't drag on. You never felt like he needed to stop talking and sit down. He offered a wonderful message, mixing in humor and sentiment, that was, as one fan described it later, "typical Cal."

And that's always been plenty good for the people around here.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 6:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (21)
                    

I just received a text message from a friend who says Cal Ripken is crying.

So am I, watching Daniel Cabrera pitch.

But seriously...

Cabrera needs to hold the Yankees to these four runs and wait for the inevitable rally. The Orioles will score some runs. I'm just not sure it'll be enough.

Ripken, by the way, choked up when talking about his wife and kids. Any mention of his dad will bring more tears. From a lot of us.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 3:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (17)
                    

Don't read too much into Jay Payton being out of the lineup today. Manager Dave Trembley wanted the extra left-handed bat, and the DH slot is occupied by Miguel Tejada.

Jamie Walker will not be the closer today. And this time, I mean it.

Hey, I should have been right last night, but Cory Doyne forced Trembley to use Walker - and have Chad Bradford warming. That wasn't the initial plan.

Trembley pretty much declared Walker unavailable today.

Melvin Mora is accompanying the Orioles to Boston, but it's doubtful that he'll be activated without going on a minor league rehab assignment. That's Trembley's preference, but Mora will have a say in it because of the amount of time he's been in the league. I'm told he can decline.

Mora said he'll do whatever the Orioles want. 

A Japanese reporter approached me in the press box before the game and asked about the significance of the numbers hanging on the warehouse. I explained The Streak to him, and then he wanted to confirm whether 2,632 was a record.

And yes, I spoke slowly and at a higher volume, figuring I would be more easily understood. Never makes sense to do it, but I'm as guilty as anyone.

Alex Rodriguez told reporters last night that the Orioles are pitching him carefully and he's probably had one good pitch to hit in three days.

One?

A-Rod dined at Pazo after the game. And I'm fairly certain that he was accompanied by his wife, if anyone cares.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 2:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
                    

Brian Roberts - 2B

Corey Patterson - CF

Nick Markakis - RF

Kevin Millar - 1B

Miguel Tejada - DH

Aubrey Huff - 3B

Jay Gibbons - LF

Paul Bako - C

Luis Hernandez - SS

Daniel Cabrera - P

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 11:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (14)
                    

I'm hearing that there's absolutely no truth to the report in Sports Illustrated, and other outlets, that the Rangers are asking for Daniel Cabrera as part of a package for Mark Teixeira. The two sides have talked, but not about Cabrera. 

Tonight's attendance: 48,402.

The Orioles could move to five games below .500 for the first time since June 10.

This team has the best ERA in the majors starting with Erik Bedard's complete-game shutout in Texas.

If you were going to compile a list of most underrated Orioles this season, Chris Gomez would have to be near the top. The guy makes all the plays in the field, no matter where he's starting, and the hits just keep coming. 

Nick Markakis has 63 RBIs, one more than last season. Nothing underrated about that guy.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 10:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (35)
                    

If the Orioles defeat the Yankees tonight, it'll run their home winning streak to eight games - the longest since July 17 to Aug. 2, 2003.

Can you believe it's been that long?

Manager Dave Trembley hasn't announced whether Miguel Tejada will serve as the designated hitter tomorrow or start at shortstop. But he made it quite clear today that it's his decision.

"I make out the lineup," he said. "Miggy, Kevin Millar, Brian Roberts, they don’t write the lineup. I make out the lineup.

"You do what’s in the best interest of the team first, the players second. I don’t think there’s ever a problem with that if you adequately communicate what you’re doing and why you’re doing it to your players. The problem enters into the equation when they feel like they’re being blindsided and not given due respect. I’m the last man in the world who’s not going to give people respect."

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 8:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
                    

Danys Baez reported to the ballpark around 4 p.m. He's still feeling weak because of a stomach virus he caught from his daughter, who had it so bad, he spent about six hours at a local hospital on Tuesday.

Manager Dave Trembley thinks Baez will be available tonight. Baez isn't so sure. He hasn't eaten anything in a while and is attempting to consume a light meal.

Trembley won't reveal tonight's closer. It won't be Jamie Walker.

Here's the lineup:

Brian Roberts - 2B

Corey Patterson - CF

Nick Markakis - RF

Kevin Millar - 1B

Miguel Tejada - SS

Aubrey Huff - DH

Ramon Hernandez - C

Jay Payton - LF

Chris Gomez - 3B

Brian Burres - P

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 4:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)
                    

Don't let last night's first game fool you. The Orioles have won five in a row. Their streak continues.

Ernie Tyler's consecutive-games streak ended after last night, since he's going to Cooperstown as Cal Ripken's guest. Tyler received a long ovation from the sell-out crowd, and a hug from the plate umpire.

I'm just glad the players didn't push him out of the dugout and make him run a lap. 

Jeremy Guthrie has 14 quality starts among his 17 starts. He didn't have his best stuff last night, but he battled.

Man, did he battle.

The guy has guts. Yeah, that's the word I'll use in a family blog - guts. But in the press box, we were using a different one. 

John Parrish hasn't allowed an earned run in his last four appearances.

"I know Parrish hasn’t been everybody’s favorite guy around here, but I’ve got a lot of confidence in him," interim manager Dave Trembley said. "John’s pitched very well for me in the minors and I know what he can do if you give him an opportunity. He has a way to pitch a little bit better against the better clubs. I’ve seen that out of Parrish."

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 12:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
                    

For those of you wondering why Chad Bradford got the save opportunity instead of Danys Baez...

Baez wasn't here.

He didn't report to the ballpark today because of an illness.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 11:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (20)
                    

Jeremy Guthrie has thrown 83 pitches in five innings. The bullpen will get busy soon.

Why are the Yankees losing? Because they're 0-for-27 with runners in scoring position.

Not tonight. This dates back a few games.

Miguel Tejada looks pretty good at shortstop tonight. If this keeps up, he could be the next Luis Hernandez.

A scout from the Mets is here again.   

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 9:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
                    

The attendance for the suspended game, back on June 28: 40,737.

Time of game, from its beginning: 3 hours, 12 minutes.

John Parrish gets the loss.

You know it's a tough season when you're sitting in the bullpen and get tagged with a loss.

Now the Orioles will change into their black jerseys and pretend the last 30 minutes never happened.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 7:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
                    

A few points about the suspended game:

Players not on the roster June 28 are eligible tonight. That's why Miguel Tejada is the shortstop after coming off the disabled list today. The Orioles could have called up a player from the minors and plugged him into the lineup.

Also, as many of you know, if Alex Rodriguez homers, it will be the 493rd of his career. And the last one he hit, in Kansas City, would become No. 500.

Is a fan holding that ball?

Why is this game starting at 7:05 p.m. instead of earlier?

The Orioles are receiving lots of inquiries about their young minor league talent, which shows how much the farm system has improved.

It also shows that there isn't a whole lot of interest in the major league guys who are available.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 6:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
                    

The Yankees had their batting practice session cut short, and the groundscrew is putting the tarp on the field.

And now it's pouring.

Maybe they can play three games tomorrow.

Interim manager Dave Trembley didn't dismiss the idea of having Miguel Tejada serve as the designated hitter on occasion.

Tejada would gladly dismiss it.

"You guys know I don't like to be the DH," he said. "I like to be in the field every day."

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 5:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
                    

The Orioles optioned Jon Knott to Triple-A Norfolk and added 15 more shortstops.

OK, they only activated Miguel Tejada, but they're well-stocked at the position.

Interim manager Dave Trembley envisions Brandon Fahey taking over Freddie Bynum's role, with his ability to move to the outfield if needed. Trembley also said Luis Hernandez earned the right to stay in the majors, at least for now.

Knott was optioned because Trembley is stressing pitching and defense at the moment. He said if the Orioles need another right-handed bat, they'll dip into Norfolk's roster again.

Rob Bell is pitching the eighth inning of the suspended game. Tejada is playing shortstop, and Fahey is moving to third. Chris Gomez stays at first.

Here's the lineup for the regular game:

Brian Roberts - 2B

Corey Patterson - CF

Nick Markakis - RF

Kevin Millar - 1B

Miguel Tejada - SS

Aubrey Huff - 3B

Ramon Hernandez - C

Jay Gibbons - DH

Jay Payton - LF

Jeremy Guthrie - P

Bynum and Melvin Mora are taking batting practice for the first time today. They'll both need to go on injury rehab assigments before returning.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 4:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)
                    

Interesting scene unfolding: Luis Hernandez and Brandon Fahey are taking turns fielding grounders at shortstop.

I guess the Orioles decided against a rock-papers-scissors competition to decide which player is optioned.

Freddie Bynum just joined them.

I'm still waiting for Kiko Garcia.

Nolan Reimold will play in Sarasota tomorrow and then rejoin Double-A Bowie.

I'm heading to the clubhouse. More to come.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 3:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

The NFL denied Pacman Jones’ request to practice with the Tennessee Titans.

The league also refused to pay him in $1 bills.

Jones has cases pending in Las Vegas, Georgia and Tennessee. I’m betting that he covers all 50 states before he covers another receiver.

The Orioles aren’t going to trade for Mark Teixeira unless they can sign him to an extension. And no, Daniel Cabrera straight-up for the Severna Park native isn’t going to get it done. The Rangers would line up to laugh in Andy MacPhail’s face.

So who gets sent down today when the Orioles activate Miguel Tejada from the disabled list?

Luis Hernandez would have been the logical choice until seeing him play shortstop.

I’m beginning to like the idea of having Tejada serve as the designated hitter a few times a week. Hernandez has provided a significant defensive upgrade on the left side of the infield. And he doesn’t look overmatched at the plate, though his two singles Wednesday night were so soft, the ball didn’t bend the blades of grass in left field.

Hernandez turned 23 last month. The Orioles claimed him off waivers from the Atlanta Braves in October, a transaction that didn’t exactly send ripples through the MLB office. I wonder how many local media outlets here bothered to report it.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 10:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (28)
                    

There are 35 plasma-screen TVs in a sports bar in Hell, and they're all tuned to this game.

Anyone going to rip manager Dave Trembley for not allowing Steve Trachsel to get the last out in the fifth and qualify for the win?

Here's Trachsel's line:

4 1/3 innings, seven hits, five runs, three walks, three strikeouts, two home runs, one wild pitch. Trachsel threw 70 pitches, 42 for strikes.

I still see scouts here from the Dodgers and Marlins. I think they're looking at Brandon Fahey.

Kidding. But he does have two hits.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 2:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (37)
                    

It’s official: The Devil Rays are the worst team in existence.

They should wear beenie hats with propellers and make airplane sounds when they run.

Manager Joe Maddon must be fining them whenever they hit the cutoff man. Or cover an unoccupied base.

It’s like watching 5-year-olds play soccer, when all the kids chase the ball at the same time and kick it in a scrum.

Wasn’t Edwin Jackson a hot pitching prospect with the Dodgers? What the heck happened to this guy?

Jackson threw 86 pitches in 3 1/3 innings and allowed six runs and seven hits, with three walks. But he didn’t break any laws, besides loitering on the mound, so we’ll go easy on him.

Don’t forget there’s an appetizer being served before tomorrow’s game - the resumption of the June 28 suspended game.

I thought we would see Ramon Hernandez at first base, but now that Miguel Tejada is expected to be activated, he’ll play shortstop and Brandon Fahey can move to third, with Chris Gomez staying at first. Or Luis Hernandez can play third, if he isn’t optioned to make room for Tejada.

Jon Knott also could be optioned, but he does provide some power off the bench, at least theoretically. I’d definitely keep Hernandez because he’s playing shortstop better than anyone I’ve seen here in a while.

Fahey picked a good time to collect two hits.

Manager Dave Trembley hasn’t decided on a pitcher for the suspended game, since Chris Ray is on the disabled list.

Posted by Roch Kubatko at 2:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)