Roch, it'd be nice to get your reflections on the decision to designate Bynum.

I agree with this move in part, because Bynum just wasn't getting it done at all offensively. That said, is Salazar really a middle infielder? And, it seems that the O's have had some difficulties late in the game with substitutions and using their bench, especially regarding the infield, as they always pinch hit for the SS.

I have to admit--I'm surprised. Of course, Bynum has not done much lately but at least he has some speed and a decent glove. Can Salazar really back up Cintron? I thought he was more of a corner infielder...Can anyone offer a reason why we would call up Bukvich? Is this move more in reaction to Liz's last outing? Maybe management wants to find out which AAA pitchers to keep and which to trade away later? Inquiring minds want to know!

Bynum needed to be sent down and hopefully he can learn to hit a breaking ball. Speaking of breaking, this is the week the Orioles break the Sunday losing streak! Go O's!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Bukvich

"He became a cult hero at U.S. Cellular Field, earning the nickname 'Iceman' for his cool demeanor in pressure situations."

That's pretty funny.

Concerning Freddie Bynum, I heard an interesting remark from the Brewer' announcers as I watched last night's game on MLB.Com. (Apparently, they only carry the telecast of the home team.)

In any case, when Dave Trembley had Alex Cintron pinch hit for Freddie Bynum in the fifth inning, the announcers were shocked that Trembley would be making a switch for a position player that early in the game, calling it "a gamble" and "an interesting, interesting decision."

One of them asked why Bynum would even start if Trembley had so little faith in him as to pinch hit for him in the fifth, to which the other responded, "That's a great question," before going on to note that that's the sort of problem AL managers need to deal with when their team plays in an NL park.

Okay, but I couldn't understand why Bynum was in the lineup Friday, as well, especially after Cintron went 3-4 with a homer against the Astros on Thursday. Trembley's too smart to be letting his "intuition" get the better of him. Let's hope Freddie's demotion signals Trembley is learning from his mistakes.

What was Daniel Cabrera thinking in the fifth, when he's up with two outs and two runners in scoring position, but never even takes a swing to help his own cause. Granted, he might come up with air three times, but already down in the game, he's got to at least hope he makes contact and finds a hole somewhere. Very puzzling. (At least he pitched pretty well.)

Holy blog, who said you could have a day off yesterday.

I thank him for his defense, settling down a unsettled situation after the Luis Hernandez experiment failed but the time is right for this to happen.

Does Bukvich go to the pen or start? There should be a move shortly with Liz coming as well.

I have a question on the status of Frankie Fig (Paco Figueroa) down in Bowie. Last I read he was going to be out a year (around all-star break), no details on his injury other than an ankle. Can you check on his status for us please? Thanks in advance!

What about Scott Moore? He hit a homer and they sent him down the next day. Give Mora some time off on the left side, he needs it. Oh yeah let's see Costanzo too.

I like it!

Freddie stopped hitting. I think his defense wasn't all the good either. In ST everyone wanted the Orioles to sign Cintron, his defense isn't great either but his hitting is much better than Bynum's and I think that was the key in making the decision. I don't know much about Salazar's defense other than being able to play many positions. Bukvich gives the Orioles a much needed arm in the pen. The others are getting worn out.

Well, at least through this interleague ride we won't have the equalivent of "2" pitchers batting in the bottom of the order...Sorry Fred, $hit or get off the pot

Is Dave Trembley TRYING to lose today?

Another quality arm acquired by the Warehouse. I support the decision.

I like the organization's wilingness to make bold roster moves when the situation dictates it. Byrum got most of his hits within the first couple of starts when he replaced Hernandez but has been a complete offensive liability since. His strong arm and defense simple wasn't enough to justify his roster position.

I'm not sure that Bukwitch should unpack those bags just yet, though I have to question the wisdom of bringing a guy up from AAA and immediately sticking him into a 1 run game, facing one of the better left-handed HR hitters in baseball.

Watching Daniel Cabrera bat made me appreciate the DH even more.

Well as the all star break nears it's time for the orioles to start getting rid of guy's who aren't performing. The next guy please SHOULD BE JAMIE WALKER

Another Park Another Sunday!! Dam can the O's make a club house number w/0 the day Sunday on it? Staying with the theme on to Chicago!

I agree with the Bynum move. On to other things, I know Bob Uecker is like famous and all, but I can't stand listening to him call a radio game. Huge, long... pauses... in the ... middle ... of ... ... sentences.

Ground into 5 Double Plays + allow 4 HRs = 11th Bloody Sunday

This just in from beat reporter Jim66...three-fourths of the Oriole infield beyond the catcher's box is subpar and there is nothing they can do about it. Statistics at 11.

Anyone else notice before tonights game Adam Jones and Jay Payton had the same B.Ave and OPS?

Of course Jones is a young guy trying to get used to MLB and Payton is a 'veteran' who can only hit lefties... kinda.

I don't think this is as much a reflection on Bynum as it is an indictment on the poor starting pitching. They need a fresh arm to eat some middle innings because EVERY starter other than Guthrie requires a middle reliever...and that is not good.

You could tell from Bynum's facial expressions that he had totally lost his confidence. He's not as bad as he showed, but when you have the opportunity you've got to get the job done. Word was that he was a great guy in the clubhouse, but here's an example of where that might be slightly overrated. Talent is better than being a good clubhouse guy. I like Freddy and hope that he gets his game together and gets back to the bigs as a utility guy with the O's or someone else. He was overmatched as a starter

I have to say I'm surprised by this move. I thought Bynum was the best defensive shortstop we've seen since Luis Hernandez had that nice stretch of competence last summer. But I can't deny he wasn't hitting. Still, I'm surprised we're going to expose him to the rest of the league just so we can bring up Ryan Bukvich. Is Bukvich really all that good?

Salazar will be show cased for trade bait along with a few others,,,,,,,,,,,,,,look out for more house cleaning from Andy next month , only trouble is we have come to like a few of the guys who will be leaving the O's,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,cruel sea decisions are necessary for the O's to rebuild , time to through a few overboard............

The Birds look overmatched in a National League setting. With Huff or Mora or Millar having to rotate taking the day off, it really throws the team off.

I think Jamie Walker has pitched himself off the ballclub after this afternoon (should have walked Fielder and let Bradford work the rest of the inning). 6 homers given up to left handed hitters has to tell Trembley something. As soon as Loewen is ready the O's have to demote or release Walker. Another salary to eat so it is getting expensive.

Another hard choice is coming when Beird is ready next month.

I think Olsen will right himself and he needs to get every chance to do it. He has the stuff, just needs time. Burres and Liz are probably on probation in their next 2 starts. Albers deserves the next shot.

to Jeff V in the previous blog: When I was talking about considering going to a 4 man rotation that was in context to IF the team was still in contention in late July. My reasoning is that the O's, after Guthrie, Cabrerra and Olsen, have big question marks in the rotation. As I said, I doubt if they would do it. At any rate, the bullpen can't be expected to pitch 4-5 innings most nights and expect it to stay effective. In 89, Frank Robinson realized he didn't have a 5th starter and stuck with Milacki, Ballard, Harnisch and Johnson for the last part of the season. Again, you only consider a 4 man rotation if you are in the running for a playoff spot. Otherwise I agree with you, better to test out the new guys and plan for 09 and 10.

However, I am not sure Tillman and Arrieta are ready for the majors just yet and the management wants to evaluate Liz, Albers, etc.. before going down to AA to brng someone up. Maybe in September.

Agree that the team is still rebuilding and we can't lose site of that no matter how well they play.

Wish Cintron well, but methinks he is not the answer. If we have to make one trade that is the position we need to fill (with someone who is part of the long term rebuilding effort).

Don, if talent is better than being a good clubhouse guy, how do you explain Millar? I totaly agree with you, and I've always been of the opinion that to have your jokes laughed at and the things you say be followed, you need cred - you need to be putting up the numbers.

The Cubs scare me a little, but we will miss Zambrano, and we may have an edge. Several of their players were either signed by MacPhail or managed by Trembley in the minors, or both. For what it's worth.

I thought the way Bynum hit last summer they would give him a chance to come out of it, but he didn't even look like the same batter. I worry about Cintron's glove/arm/head.

Thanks Freddie!! I guess they need to cancel Freddie Bynum bobblehead night now. I assume they will replace it with Jay Payton t shirt Tuesday.