Well that answers the Blake Davis question.

No surprises with the four kids going back to the minors. It's just a matter of time before Santos, Terrero, Salazar, Heintz and Torres get shipped out as well. I wonder if they will all clear waivers.

That leaves Redman, Moore, Roberson, Costanzo and Payton to battle for two roster spots (based on the asumption both Fahey and Luis Hernandez are kept). I think Costanzo and Roberson are long shots, so what it comes down to is keeping Moore - who I believe has options left - or Payton. Tough call at this point.

Gary Thorne sure has a wonderful voice for an announcer, and his imagination ain't half bad either. Anyone who matched his descriptions to the game and evaluated them for accuracy could only surmise that he is watching the radio.

Nice game today. I listened to it while I was in the yard raking leaves. Had the radio hanging from a bird feeder hook with the volume up. Sounded like guys were hustling on the base paths and some good hits early in the game. Cabrera was strong and the play by play guys are coming along nicely. Good to hear Rick Dempsey on 105.7 FM.

Newsflash, Jeff Conine is going to re-sign with Florida "Flying Fish" Marlins. Wow. Nice to see him back.
Sidney Ponson (O in 98-05) is getting shelled for the Rangers. Four runs in 2.1 innings. On the other hand Victor Santos (O in 07) who started for the Giants only gave up 1 run and 3 strikeouts in 3 innings.
Didn't like seeing the Blake Davis was assigned to minor league camp. I'd like to see Fahey at SS ahead of Hernandez.

Roch, Waiting to hear you on the radio when I saw a pic of Nick Markakis spinning a basketball on a pen or something. Then I see a pic of him balancing a chair on his chin. Tell him to quit it already. It's only a matter of time before the chair slips in a gust of wind or some bizarre thing and he gets a a broken nose and misses 5 months of the season or some other injury. If you want to do the "weird things", as Loewen says, then I always love watching baseball players flipping the baseball around like some old Harlem Globetrotters slick tricks with a basketball. I'm not your dad or manager, but stop before you get hurt.

I cannot believe they chose to send Blake Davis back to the minors. Why would you want to send the best SS back to the minors we he needs experience.

Roch, I had looked up the Indians Andy Marte before you came on the radio (good to hear you talking baseball) and I don't see the thrill in going after him if he gets cut. What's the attraction for the O's?
I didn't like hearing some of the topics on 105.7 FM when I know there are kids listening. That really was a sour note for me. Bad taste. Save it for poker night with the guys.
I don't think Cabrera's performance today is a turning point for him. There 's going to be bad outings again where we say here we go again thinking he's got it going. He did have a great game today though.

Hey Roch, there is a rumor coming from MLB.com that says the White Sox are talking to the Orioles about Brian Roberts. This seems to have jumped out of the closet without warning. You picking up anything on this story?

Alan - Saw the same rumor on MLBtraderumors. Basically, this was a pipedream by some national writer. White Sox have zero prospects in Baseball America's Top 100. Only two players even received votes. End of rumor.

Bill,

Conine is only going to "re-sign" with the Marlins in order to retire. He's inking a one-day deal so he can retire as a Marlin. That's all.

Bill in Elkton-
Conine signed a 1 day contract so that he could retire as a Marlin. He is not playing this year.

i'm noticing a pattern: every time team tweaks daniel's mechanics, he's great for like two starts, then comes apart again.

maybe this time will be different.

Jim Hoey's injury and an orthopaedic web site www.orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=AOOO26 tells me that I also had biceps tendinitis also when I was in my 20's. I never knew what it was until reading this info. Guess I should have learned to throw side arm. My arm used to hurt the same way for a while. Good luck Jim and get plenty of rest and rehab. Don't forget to stretch.

Thanks for the Jeff Conine update LA and Big Z. I just read that "Niner" will play in an exhibition game on March 28th against the Yankees at Dolphin Stadium. Then the Marlins will hold a tribute to Mr. Marlin before their home opener on March 31st at 6:10 pm against the Mets.

Bill in Elkton... word here in CLE is Marte will one day live up to his much-touted "potential" (eeww, the "P" word!) if and only if he plays his entire career in, oh, Hawaii. The kid "can't"/doesn't "like" playing in cold weather. He showed up to camp looking (and acting, apparently) as if he'd spent the off-season at Camp Sidney. He's out of options and he's really only going to make the club so he doesn't turn into another Brandon Phillips here. While I don't see that happening, I do see him as a career AAA designated hitter. That, or career AAA tow truck driver.

roch,
i read on espn insider that the cubs and o's have a deal in place for roberts. what are you hearing about these rumors.

Hey Roch, do you get th impression that Trembley isn't having that much say so in the make up of the club? It seems like he's ducking every question as though he's waiting on McPhail to make all the decisions. McPhail was known as a micro manager in Chicago.This FO takes forever to make even the simplest decisions like closer for example.

It looks like Blake Davis is going to be this year's JR House with fans howling for him to be promoted every time Fahey or LH screws up.

Hey Roch:

WHat is this nonsense about Trachsel being the no. 1 pitcher over Guthrie? You are joking, right?? Trachsel is done and is only taking up innings that a good young pitcher could use like Liz, Olson, or Penn. QUestion no 2: Will Olson be the no. 5 starter??

Yesterday's game was a GOOD one! So glad I got to watch it on TV!

Daniel looked completely different! I'm still not a fan of his, but what a big improvement! I'm sure he'll crash and burn in his next outing. Eh oh well!

The bats were definitely alive as well! Good Job O's! Let's see more games like that one!

re: Marte. The O's are in exactly the position where they should take a chance on guys like Marte. Sometimes guys take longer to develop. He was a top prospect for a reason. Guthrie and Moore were failed prospects, and they appear to be decent players. The O's need to look for guys like this while we know this year is all about the future.

Conine doesn't want to sign & retire as an O? Shocking, just shocking....

Cabrera looked good.

B Davis to the minors was the right thing to do. Don't worry, you guys can find a new flavor this week.

I hope they cut Payton & eat the last yr. It would send a good message to the others & baseball. That could free a spot for Moore. I wish they would do that with Gibbons too, but potter would eat sand on the beach in Ft. L. before he would eat that contract. Besides, it's not like the O's have anyone else that much more worthy to keep in his place right now.

Happy St Paddy's everyone. I bet the O's are enjoying their day off & taking in some bikini contests in FT L/S Beach today. They better enjoy it, next yr they are at Zero Beach!

Roch:

Why isn't Olson starting today and when will he pitch again? How can he win the 5th starters job if he doens't get a chance to pitch???

I cannot believe they chose to send Blake Davis back to the minors. Why would you want to send the best SS back to the minors we he needs experience.

Posted by: steve | March 16, 2008 6:07 PM

Well Steve, it's like this: That's where he's gonna get his experience----in the minors!