Another workout ends
We had a Freddie Bynum sighting today.
Manager Dave Trembley ran with the catchers again after today's workout, but he still had enough energy to talk to the media afterward. We ignored the sweat.
Trembley implemented some new drills. He had the catchers bunting for 30 minutes on one of the back fields, and they'll do it again tomorrow. He also had them involved in baserunning drills, and he kept Adam Loewen and Jeremy Guthrie back there to work on their pickoff moves.
Chris Ray threw again and continues to impress.
"He looks very good," Trembley said. "It's just nice to see him out here throwing the way he is. He said this is the best he's felt in a long time."
Ray wants to be pitching by August, but Trembley doesn't share the same optimism.
"I think it's great that he has that goal in mind and I think it says a lot about him, but with all due respect, he has a ways to go and we're going to have to be very careful with him," Trembley said. "But I've got no problem with him setting a goal. I think that's great. It gives him something to shoot for. That's good for him and good for the club."
Danys Baez has left the team and will begin his throwing program at the same Miami facility where he did his physical therapy over the winter. It's closer to his home and he can continue to rehab there.
Dennis Sarfate continues to stand out among the pitchers. He's looked very good in his bullpen sessions. Trembley loves his demeanor and the way the ball comes out of his hand. He's all business and he's a power arm. He also could move into the closer's role during the season if he makes the club, which he's expected to do since he's out of options and there are plenty of spots open.
"He could find himself 'the guy' late in the game," Trembley said.
As far as the Orioles know, none of their position players are having visa issues.
Makes me miss Eddy Garabito just a little, but I'm all about tradition.
Comments
Maybe it's just me but it strikes me as funny that Ray can throw in feb. but won't be ready to pitch until August. Also funny that Trems said Sherill has the inside track for closer but doesn't have to if he doesn't want the job. Sounds great that Sarfate has the arm and demeanor to be the closer.Should be an interesting shoot out to who the 4th and 5th starters are and at least 3 open bullpen spots along with the bench players. Can't wait to hear the reviews of Adam Jones's first BP sessions.Also would like to hear Kranitz's opinions are on the pitchers in camp.
Posted by: John | February 17, 2008 1:54 PM
Perahps some day we will look back and wonder why we spent even a single moment considering Freddie Bynum.
I feel the same way about Bonzi Wells.
Posted by: tvdpdx | February 17, 2008 2:17 PM
JPA - You make an excellent point(the best I've heard yet) about the upcoming season when you state that it's important for the team to do well in August and September. Avoiding the usual "crash and burn" in those months would be a welcome site.
Posted by: Ray | February 17, 2008 2:45 PM
Forgot to mention JPA - Ramon's contract year is 2009.
Posted by: Ray | February 17, 2008 2:47 PM
Roch - You mentioned the 12 minute run by the pitchers. Is this something new under Trembley? Was it run on a track? Who covered the most distance? Will position players be required to run it when they show up?
Just Curious.
Posted by: Ray | February 17, 2008 2:56 PM
hey Roch,
I love the way you're giving updates about the whole team's workouts, really great coverage.
I have a question about Chris Ray's throwing sessions. Specifically, what kind of throwing is he doing? Is it like a kid playing catch with his dad, or is he going into a wind up at all. I know his elbow and shoulder can't be strong enough for "pitching," but what kind of distances and velocities is he working out at? Thanks a lot!
Posted by: Brad | February 17, 2008 3:23 PM
Thanks Brad.
Ray's doing 25 throws from about 45 feet. Nothing too strenuous. He's playing catch, but it's progress. And it's encouraging because there's no discomfort.
Posted by: Roch Kubatko | February 17, 2008 3:30 PM
I agree with John's question. Why the heck would a reliever not want the closer's job? I didn't know that not WANTING it was an option. And I remember you writing after the trade that Trembley called him and asked him at that time if he wanted to close, and he said felt good about that.
I know Trembley is a lay down the law guy, but what's this all about?
Thanks for the coverage. Why does it seem like you are giving more up-close detail then Jeff Z, when he's the beat writer?
On a related tangent, did anyone see Tom Davis and Fred Manfra on Take Me Out to the Ballgame today? Never have two people used more words to say absolutely nothing.
"yes there are questions, and yes that is the question, and yes those are the questions, and yes there are questions, about those players."
My, my, such insight. And Manfra's in his 16th year doing this.
Posted by: steve | February 17, 2008 3:51 PM
So far, Roch, what kind of sense of general attitude do you get from the air? Does it feel like there's a change? Does it feel "younger"? Fresher? Do the young guys seem to feel like they rally do have a shot at the majors? I think the rebuilding label can be a negative thing if you are a veteran no matter what the vets are nice enough to say publically. But, for the kids, it might be as much a positive thing for them. The doors are open and nothing is blocking their path. they have a shot.
Posted by: Eddie in NYC | February 17, 2008 4:16 PM
I thought it was Eddy Rodriguez who used to have the annual visa issues.
Posted by: Dylan | February 17, 2008 4:25 PM
Hey, when i was a kid, 25 throws from 45 feet was about all i needed to insure that i had a "sore arm" for the rest of the season..ah, those were the days.
I'm liking the young guys in camp. I'm liking even more the fact that the minor league pitchers will be slotted at the right level and be allowed to develop before trying to get major league hitters out with one pitch. I'm not liking the fact that there is any possibility of a career infielder seeing any time at all in left field. I'll know this team is getting over the hump when that scenario is not even a consideration. This type of progress takes some time.
The fact that it toook the owner of this team and others so many years and last year's ultimate abyssmal play to figure out that stripping this thing down and starting over was the only way to get it right is kinda scary. But at least they figured it out.
Anyway, Go O's.
Posted by: jim66 | February 17, 2008 4:41 PM
"Dennis Sarfate continues to stand out among the pitchers."
That's where he's supposed to stand, Roch; it would be news if he were sitting out among the sportswriters...
Posted by: rlc | February 17, 2008 4:51 PM
Roch , great coverage my man , I may be crazy but with all the young arms in camp this year , the season could be more interesting than people think !
Posted by: Jim from Dundalk | February 17, 2008 6:32 PM
john - The throwing Ray is doing has as much to do with pitching as what you and I do to get to work in the morning has to do with the Daytona 500.
If Ray tried to go into a game right now and throw a 95 MPH fastball or a curve he would be back into the operating room quicker than wayward o can get us another round. And that is pretty darn quick!
Posted by: TOM D | February 17, 2008 6:54 PM
By the way, wayward o, it all depends upon what kind of fluid you are talking about delivering.
If it is the kind that is on tap and can involve another kind of pitcher, that is one thing.
But if it is a kind of fluid delivery that polite company does not discuss, that is probably why no one mentions it to you....
Posted by: TOM D | February 17, 2008 6:58 PM
Phil F - I like your bullpen with the exception of Aquino.
Cormier is an easy guy to forget about. He could be a good guy to have in the 'pen, though, because he can start. He would sure beat the heck out of Santos.
Aquino, however, has Baez written all over him. He is another guy who had 1 half decent season as a closer and has pretty much stunk since. To expect him to suddenly find it because he signed a contract with us is not realistic.
I would rather give McCrory a shot than have to depend on Aquino's inconsistency.
Posted by: TOM D | February 17, 2008 7:05 PM
I have said all along that Sarfate deserves a shot at closer.
I don't know about Sherrill. BJ Ryan made the switch from set-up to closer handily but Rhodes, Benetiz and Julio all stumbled.
Maybe these 2 will give Trembley a "Nasty Boys" bullpen that could speed the team out of their current depths.
Posted by: TOM D | February 17, 2008 7:15 PM
Being a baseball player myself and knowing a few guys who have gone through TJ's surgery (which I believe is what Ray had) I think his august target date is a stretch. Granted, he has the best care and training possible, but the recovery from that usually takes 15-18 months as far as I know. Its a long process coming back from that.
Great updates Roch!
Posted by: Erich | February 17, 2008 7:35 PM
No mention of Hoey being considered for the closer slot?
Sarfate has never showed the command to be a MLB pitcher, much less a closer. And Aquino has never been better than mediocre.
Hoey got his clocked cleaned in his first trip to the majors last year. It happens. (Gregg Olson got shelled his first time up, too).
Hoey was also as dominant at AA and AAA as any reliever the O's have had for years... Better at that level than Olson and B.J. Ryan. Only Chris Ray compares.
The Orioles are making a big mistake if they're conceding roster spots to Sarfate and Aquino. Hoey really deserves a serious look.
Posted by: PhilF | February 17, 2008 7:37 PM
Sarfate is a pretty interesting guy. Pretty impressive minor league numbers, although a little high in walks at AAA. His major league numbers while very small are eye popping. 16+ innings, 5 walks and 25 k's.
Posted by: bob c | February 17, 2008 8:35 PM
There's a picture of manager Dave Trembley running "with his team" as the caption reads on this site, but in the background the players are walking. This is a bad sign. If Trembley's doing all the work then were in trouble. Anyway, Dave looks in good shape and I say put him in to pinch hit some this year.
Posted by: Bill In Elkton | February 17, 2008 9:26 PM
I always thought that the expansion draft where we lost Delucci and Yan were the beginning of the downward spiral of the farm system for the O's. It just seemed like the first step toward bad news.
Posted by: David S. | February 17, 2008 10:25 PM
I have felt since the Tejeda trade that Sarfate would be an excellant candidate for the closer position, and I still feel that way. Before the break this guy will be the closer and Sherrill will be sent on a trade somewhere. Starting Sherrill as the closer, if somewhat successful, will only improve his trade value.
Posted by: Rob | February 17, 2008 10:47 PM
I usually like your posts, but comparing Aquino to Baez is ridiculous.
Baez cost us a ton of money, Aquino is cheap.
Also I don't know what you consider "bad" but Aquino's only truly bad season was 2005. Not to mention he only has like 4 years major league experience, and not all of those were full seasons.
Baez on the other hand had six years experience and was great from 2001 - 2005. Then he was bounced around so much that I don't know how anyone expected him to settle in and be good. 4 teams from 2005 - 2007. Who knows with another year of experience he might have done well for the O's, unfortunately he got hurt.
I just don't see how they have anything in common. What do Baez's 116 career saves have to do with Aquino's 17 career saves?
Posted by: Tom D | February 17, 2008 11:51 PM
Wasn't Sarafate waived or cut by one team, traded by two within 1+ years? If he is the next Goose Gossage, I'll be surprised.... calm down guys....
Posted by: Brian | February 18, 2008 8:58 AM