Baron-- I'm on board with several of your points, but I am of the mind that just because money is involved, a team should not compound its initial mistake. Actually, the only point we disagree on is the timing of how long to keep Gibbons. It will make very little difference to our bottom line win-loss total, though I believe there is an opportunity to present a message that performance rather than tenure will be rewarded. We don't necessarily have to put up with the mistakes of previous GMs. Lastly, I do not think it would be particularly impetuous to cut Gibbons after several injury-plagued seasons and a horrible spring and the notion that PEDs likely played a major role in his only solid season.

Honestly, the O's have bigger things to worry about. I pointed out your comment because it seemed like you were chastising fans for turning on Gibbons. However your position seems to be that we don't have much to lose by trotting him out there for a while which is certainly a reasonable stance.

I going to risk execution and say that Moore should not make the team...for his own good.
When Nick made the team two years ago, it was because there was an opening that allowed him to be an everyday player. Moore should be an everyday player, but if he makes the team, it will be as a utility player.
With any luck, Huff and/or Mora will have a good first half and get traded by the deadline. This would make an everyday position open up for Moore. If he was on the bench the whole time, it will take him longer to knock the rust off whereas if he was playing third everyday in the minors, he can just jump right in.
One thing we can all agree on...cut Gibbons.

I bet Hogan preferred the chair....

Penn , becomes the 5th SP when needed. Burres goes to long relief & Albers does a bang up job this summer for Norfolk.

That is Leicaster's best option.

As long as Roberts doesn't make a long plane trip to Az this week, all is good.

Hulk Hogan is here in town for Spring Break with his daughter, shooting some scenes for that show he has on TV. While MTV has gone home, Spring Break roars on here. sheesh.

I'm guessing Trembley said that about the players wanting to get out of there just means they are tiring of spring training and want to play games that count.
z is for zzzzzzz-wake me when the real games start!

I just saw a headline that Hulk Hogan has been slapped with a lawsuit.

Then he was hit over the head with a metal folding chair.

... seeing a nice balanced swing, Peter Angelos immediately called Andy MacPhail and demanded he sign The Iron Sheik. Veteran leadership a bonus.

[getting out of writing slump = too easy]

Anyone, How does Moore look at 2nd base? Everytime I go to listen to an O's game this spring, there's talk radio. How do I keep missing these games? I've heard two all spring so far.

I've noticed some consternation re: Sean Gallagher being "cut" by the Cubs, the "aren't the Orioles stupid for wanting to trade an All Star 2nd baseman for a guy who got cut" sort of thing. First, Gallagher wasn't "cut" the way so many of you want to see Gibbons cut, i.e. consigned to baseball oblivion, he was just optioned to Triple AAA. That's not a knock on his talents, that's testimony to how good the Cubs starting rotation and overall pitching staff is--easy to see how you'd make the mistake, since they have a feast and we're getting by on table scraps, if you get my meaning.

It's weird to think that this is the first day of regular season and the game is in Japan and Red Sox have won 6-5 over Jack Cust (O in 03-04) and the A's. Cust went 0-4 today with four strikeouts.

Saw a report that lawyers for baseball and the players were supposed to be meeting this week to finalize changes to their drug agreement; and if they reach an agreement, the suspensions of Guillen and Gibbons would be rescinded. Any updates on this? What will the Orioles do if this happens?

As someone who is sitting in the stands here in beautiful Ft. Lauderdale, I think Burres won that 5th spot. He is really working himself out of situations, particularly those 2 errors that for some reason Aubrey Huff wasn't charged for...

Did Burres earn the 5th starter spot today or what?

RBAS wrote:

Saw a report that lawyers for baseball and the players were supposed to be meeting this week to finalize changes to their drug agreement; and if they reach an agreement, the suspensions of Guillen and Gibbons would be rescinded. Any updates on this? What will the Orioles do if this happens?

My answer:

They'll re-sign Sammy Sosa.

Roch, can you give us some updates after the game on how Moore looked at Second? I'm really interested to see how he handled the position in a game situation. Thanks

JPA - I think you are understanding what I'm trying to say, and I do understand your points as well. It's debatable whether or not he deserves another shot with the Orioles. In fact, most people seem to think not. I don't disagree with those people, and I certainly don't think he deserves much sympathy. I'm just trying to look at things from a business viewpoint, and that means trying to salvage something out of what appears to be nothing right now. I'll bet Gibbons can't wait to get out of here either. Baseball can't be much fun for him as long as he's wearing an Orioles uniform. In fact, I think it might be more of a reward for Gibbons if the team was to cut him right away. I'm suggesting we keep him in the cage until he earns his way out. If nothing else, he might provide a powerful example to the younger players in the organization... How not to handle your career responsibly.

Nice pitching by both Burres and Bierd. Hard to believe the Tigers exposed Bierd while keeping a spot for Tim Byrdak. Sometimes you learn the hard way.

...and Gibbons hits into a double play.

Barring a complete role reversal, there's no way I see Hernandez starting ahead of Fahey. I'd prefer if the O's gave Moore some starts at short, since he's a better hitter than either of them and has shown he can play anywhere in the infield.

Burres has pretty much locked up the fifth starter job with a masterful performance today, unless Albers is given another shot between now and the start of the season and can dominate. All else being equal, though, I imagine Trembley would rather have a second lefty in the rotation. It's good to see two solid starts back to back with what Loewen did yesterday.

OK, so "Brian Roberts said he's had some tightness in his lower back"...

I think it's related to pain in his lower, lower, lower, really lower back --- ifyouknowwhatImean --- and is mainly caused by a tight owner.

Nice to see competition between Albers/Burres for 5th spot and Fahey/Hernandez for shortstop position. Why not make Fahey your starter and Hernandez as utility and insurance policy ?
Can Trembley take winner as 5th man and loser as the middle relief ? That way , Trembley maintains his flexbility in case of injury , inconsistency , trades , etc . Send Johnson down to minors so he can pitch and refine his skills . MacPhail's trades are already making Delmarva,Bowie , Norfolk stocking up .

go O's

With the way Fahey played today, he should have won a spot. But think about it: Fahey can play various positions at an adequate level. Luis can play short in the majors more adequately than Fahey. Keep Fahey as utility, and let Luis work his way into shortstop.This will make the team more fun to watch. I promise. If I lose, I will buy beers at Sliders Opening Day!