Early notes
Good morning from sunny Fort Lauderdale, where the only facial hair you'll find in the clubhouse is mustaches. No more beards and goatees.
Since there are no physicals scheduled, today's workout should end around 12:30 p.m.
Scott Moore reported early to camp. He walked into the clubhouse carrying a box filled with bats. Outfielder Chris Roberson, who cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, showed up yesterday.
Catcher Zach Dillon was added to the spring roster as a replacement for Ryan Hubele, who retired unexpectedly. Dillon batted .275 with five homers and 41 RBIs in 92 games at Single-A Frederick last season.
Hubele's departure remains a curiosity. He batted .206 in 63 games at Double-A Bowie last season, and .327 in 15 games at Triple-A Norfolk. He was an eighth-round pick in the 2002 draft out of the University of Texas.
Maybe, at age 27, he simply had enough.
The bullpen competition has thinned out. Fernando Cabrera won't be ready to pitch anytime soon - certainly not by Opening Day - after having his right elbow cleaned out. He'll eventually report to the minor league camp in Sarasota, Fla.
The Orioles won't be shorthanded because of Jay Gibbons' 15-day suspension. They'll still be allowed to carry 25 players on Opening Day, which is good news for guys on the bubble - Moore, Roberson and Tike Redman, to name three.
I'm assuming that Freddie Bynum has a spot secured because he can play the infield and outfield. A lousy batting average didn't prevent it from happening last spring.
Comments
Hey, roch, any word on who the new Bullpen Catchers and Batting Practice Pitchers are? Also, what numbers will Jauss and Shelby be sporting this year? Thanks for all the info from sunny South FL
Posted by: Mike | February 15, 2008 10:09 AM
27 & batting near the Mendoza line at Bowie is a bit of an eye opener for some....
It also shows you , with the calling up of Matt Dillon's brother to the ML camp, that C is a thin position. If you are any good & can hit some, you can go far.
Posted by: Brian | February 15, 2008 10:11 AM
I think (and hope) you're wrong about Scott Moore being on the bubble? I'd rather cut Millar, Huff or especially Gibbons and give the kid a shot. He can't be much worse than any of them and he's only 24 with 90 ML AB's. I just don't see how you give up on him already.
Posted by: terpfan | February 15, 2008 10:14 AM
I am going to be VERY unhappy if Scott Moore doesn't end up on the team this year, because we're overly clogged with "veteran" players who don't have a position. Scott may not be the next Brooks Robinson. He may not be the guy who's going to block Billy Rowell. He may not even be strong enough to push Mora out of the 3B spot...but I want him to get every chance to at least attempt those things more so than I want Jay Gibbons sitting on the bench waiting for pinch hitting opportunities.
Posted by: Tracy | February 15, 2008 10:14 AM
Happy 70th birthday, Chuck Estrada!
Did you know, Chuck pitched 644 major league innings in three seasons before his 25th birthday, and 120 innings in parts of four seasons thereafter? Let's all be thankful on behalf of today's young pitchers that things like that aren't allowed to happen anymore.
Posted by: robsride | February 15, 2008 10:20 AM
What's Trembley's policy on civil war style sideburns?
Posted by: bryanintimonium | February 15, 2008 10:37 AM
Roch, How's the negotiations with the FAA working out? If you see Sarah Talalay, tell her I said 'Hi'.
Posted by: Boomer | February 15, 2008 10:43 AM
Is Moore out of options? I am not implying he isn't good enough to make it, but could be play at Norfolk until a Payton is dealt or waived this summer or until Gibbons get his annual injury? Does he have to make it or be cut?
Posted by: Brian | February 15, 2008 11:01 AM
If Scott Moore doesn't make this team, then this rebuilding thing is a joke. All this talk about Hernandez and Moore can't hit and so forth is tiresome. They're 23 & 24 years old. Let them play!
Posted by: Austin | February 15, 2008 11:03 AM
What's Trembley's policy on civil war style sideburns?
Posted by: bryanintimonium | February 15, 2008 10:37 AM
THANK YOU FOR THAT!
Posted by: Jennifer | February 15, 2008 11:10 AM
Chuck Estrada hurt his elbow swinging the bat in a game, no lie. I don't know if that's what ruined his arm -- I seem to think Paul Richards and Harry Brecheen were manager and pitching coach, respectively, and they may have worked him too hard -- but he had a lot of promise and was regarded by the press as a handsome young dude with an eye for the wimmen. Cool guy in his time.
Posted by: jroberts | February 15, 2008 11:11 AM
I bet Ryan Hubele realized that he was a long shot for making the majors. He hit .206 in double A at the age of 27. At what point do you cut your losses, give up and try to make a steady living so that you can support a family.
Posted by: scott g in ky | February 15, 2008 11:41 AM
Jroberts ... add Steve Barber to that definition you had for Estrada.
Posted by: Brian | February 15, 2008 11:43 AM
The Orioles are rebuilding, no question. But, that should not mean running guys out there everyday at the major league level just because of age. The point of rebuilding is to replenish our system with young guys that will contribute at the major league level for a long time. Not necessarily this year.
I have seen Scott Moores' name a lot. It would be wonderful to see him have a great spring and go north with the big club. However, starting everyday for AAA wouldn't be the worst thing ever. The important thing for these young guys is that they play, even if that means starting with AAA. Performance in the minors is what should merit promotion to the majors (ie Markakis, Jones, Olsen)
Hopefully everyone will remember that the Orioles need to field a team of the best players possible on Opening Day, regardless of age. If that includes Moore and some other young guys great, but this process is built on looking towards the future and that doesn't mean Opening Day '08.
Posted by: Clint | February 15, 2008 11:45 AM
Roch,
Does Trembley have the guts to start Gibbons in AAA when he returns? Is it even permitted for a veteran?
Posted by: Andrew | February 15, 2008 11:55 AM
Freddie Bynum has potential. He looked really good mid season until he got hurt amidst a hot streak. I hope he gets a good look. If BRob is dealt he could probably step in & play a solid 2B
Posted by: JWBBZ | February 15, 2008 12:09 PM
There's no way Jay Gibbons, Aubrey Huff and Luke Scott can all be on the 25-man roster at the same time. Something will have to give as to at least one, if not two, of those guys.
Posted by: Ray | February 15, 2008 12:18 PM
I think this whole no facial hair policy is lame. Let the players have some personality for PETES sake.
Posted by: Eazy-E | February 15, 2008 12:21 PM
Gibbons at AAA?
He might be able to make it at aberdeen.
And with the shorter season there its less likely he'll get hurt.
Posted by: jason | February 15, 2008 1:01 PM
I can understand the players wanting facial hair. Heck, if I were on a team that had both the 30-3 calamity and the Mother's Day Massacre last year, I'd want to hide behind some facial hair too!
Posted by: MP | February 15, 2008 1:14 PM
Scott Moore has once again proven his work ethic -- he is early for Spring Training. The kid is serious and needs to be given playing time. Coming from the Cubs he saw some National League pitching and needs to see American League pitching. Once he learns their pitches --WATCH OUT! Young, fast, lefty -- what Moore (lol) do you want? If Mora is getting the big bucks and had an off year, why did he not check in early, huh?
Posted by: Roland Via | February 15, 2008 8:10 PM
I don't care if a guy has a beard like ZZ Top, as long as he can contribute.
Meanwhile, let's shave Gibbons off the roster completely and if Bynum, et al. can actually play this game, let's see them play it more than once a week.
Posted by: gradyjerome | February 16, 2008 9:39 AM