Brian is interesting. He seems like he can be lights out at times, but not on regular rest. Last year, he seemed to do is best when he had more then 4 or 5 days of rest or was called out of the bullpen for only three or so innings. Maybe he needs to go back to being a swing man, long relief and occaisional start? When he is good, fun to watch. When bad, ugh! May suffer from being too similar to Olsen, but with not as much pop. Starters should provide different looks throughout, unless they are all number ones.

So what do they do? Switch him with Albers? Too bad he's lights out in the bullpen. Who would they bring up from AAA? I think the O's front office would be smart to sign the new guys quick, throw them into Frederick and Matuzs to Bowie, and bump up the guys that need it, like Tillman and Weiters and etc. Maybe that won't happen too much till the rosters expand, but who knows...I think we are stuck with Burres for now.

Burres is a No. 5 kinda guy, but he's not pitching as badly as Trachsel was. As long as Guthrie, Cabrera and Olson go 6+, and Liz is consistent with his first start, its ok to have Burres in there.

The O's are on pace to hit 175 HR's this year...currently 4th in the AL...thats a 40 HR difference from last year

They just can't hit for average or score lots of runs

I was at the Frederick/Winston-Salem game last night. What an offensive explosion! The Warthogs third baseman even pitched! There were fireworks during the game and after! It was fun to watch. Snyder, Rowell, Abreu and Wieters all were offensive machines. Erbe was good for 5 innings(tired in the sixth) and Mueller had a good 3 inning save. Hopefully I was seeing some of the future Baltimore line-up! And then I came back and saw that the Orioles had their big comeback....a great evening all the way around!!

What happens to all the big strong flamethrowing right handed relievers (e.g., Benitez) in the late stages of their careers? No movement (Ben McDonald syndrome)?

Seems like the hitters just load up, dig in, lean back, and wait for the ball to be placed on the tee. We used to scream at the TV when these hurlers did the same thing when they were with us. Youda thunk the other teams saw that!

Your Armando comment was right on. Nice to get a small measure of payback for those crying meltdown blown saves when it really mattered for us.

I'm most impressed about Jones in how he has learned the strike zone. He doesn't swing wildly at pitches out of the strike zone like he did for the better part of April and May. Consequently, he's having much better at-bats and is jumping on pitches out over the plate, not on shoulder-high pitches. Good work Adam.

We have enough long relievers now but if you remove Burres from the rotation we would use one of the long men (Albers or Johnson) to replace him so it would be zero sum numbers wise. I say Albers to the rotation and Burres to the pen. We need to find out as much as we can about all our people this season.

I became a rabid Steelers fan as a kid in the late 70's, watching Dwight White and company.

If Burres continues to struggle, will they have him swap roles with Matt Albers?

I thought last night's game was in the bag once Armando Benitez was brought in. Didn't even know he was on the Blue Jays.

What does Matt Wieters have left to prove at Frederick? It has been good to see him play ay Keys games, but I think he should be moved up after the Carolina League all-star break.

Brian's ERA for April was around 2.50, for May it was around 5.30, and so far for June, it's around 10.80...something seems to be getting worse as time goes on--I hope he figures it out.

I think I'm going to see the Keys play Winston-Salem tonight. I was deciding between tonight and last night. Maybe I made the wrong choice. But as long as I get to see Wieters, Snyder and Rowell play, I'll be OK. I should get to see Beato pitch tonight, too.

Need someone to cover that game for you, Roch.

Hey Roch, how is Burres conversationally? He always looks so quiet and deep in thought, in a dark way even. I could picture him walking out of the clubhouse in goth attire, with self-induced paper clip scratches on his arms. Anyway, he didn't do that bad last night. He might've been able to get out of the 5th and pitch the 6th, who knows. He only gave up 3 runs. Looking back, it was a good move, since none of his runners scored and the O's came back.

I've got a beef, and its about ESPN's openly gay love affair (nothing wrong with that) with the Red Sox (yes, I have personified both organizations as males in my mind - hey, the two can get married here in CA, and they should the way they carry on constantly). Anyway, if you go to the O's homepage on ESPN.com, there's a huge video of "O's Highlights". It takes up most of the page. The video is of the back to back homers by Ramirez and Lowell from our last Red Sox series, from a game the O's lost 9-4. What's up with that? Get that stuff off of there! Its old as dirt by now anyway! Can I get a little Olson pitching highlight, or a Jones triple with the bases loaded, perhaps, or last night's HRs? I need ESPN but my disdain with them is growing like one of those just add water and watch the monster grow kid toys. Here's the link to the BS ESPN O's site:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=bal

I love being .500 and I really like this particular brand of baseball. We have been treated to 3 years worth of comebacks in 60 games. I don't really see it ending either. However, this year is about establishing the future and Burres may or may not be part of that. Just like we said that we have to keep trotting Cabrera out there, I think the same applies to Burres. He is a 27-year old lefty with 29 major league starts under his belt with mediocre stats (primarily because of a handful of meltdowns particularly near the end of 2007). He has not shown the ability to be effective in the bullpen. I don't pretend to be able to predict his long term performance, but we need to be able to evaluate guys like him and not make premature decisions. If you pull him now, I think you are signaling an end to that experiment. I would rather Liz continue to work in the minors. He looks like a nice talent and has improved but he still needs some refinement. The one change I could see is Albers as a starter but much like JJ his performances are why we have had so many comeback wins.

If Bradford had given up that second run which seemed inevitable I would have been so pissed off. He cannot be trusted.

After sleeping on the draft a bit, I think I can be a little more positive. Sounds like picks 2 & 3 might sign, but we'll see. I won't sneeze at the nation's best pitcher either! Some pundents say he should progress to the majors ASAP-- any truth in that?

Oops, it might be Bascom starting, not Beato.

Armando Benitez, the first coming of Jorge Julio.

I had hoped that Sidney Ponson had straightened out his life, but alas it appears that the self-destructive behavior continues. He has been DFA'ed by the Rangers for disrespectful behavior.

If we crown the first Triple Crown winner in over 30 years on the same day that Jim McKay dies, it will be very ironic.

Burres is simply a stopgap until younger and far more talented pitchers are ready to contribute. He is very likely to lose his spot in the rotation to Trachsel's last stand and his place on the staff to either Penn or Bierd if they choose to stop hiding him on the DL. My perdiction is that they will look to have Matusz signed by the AA All-Star break and promote Wieters and Arrieta to Bowie to join him there.Tripp may well join them with Reimold heading to AAA. It's obvious that things are looking up with the organizational plan and the Orioles are competing at a level most of us would never have imagined. A final note to the gentleman who suggested about a month ago that we trade Sherrill immediately in an attempt to salvage something from the Bedard trade: how do you like Adam Jones and Chris Tillman now?

They drafted how many lefties? I lost count after the 9th one.

I would like to see Burres to the pen and give Johnson a shot. He's a hard thrower and he has earned it.

I'm really rooting for Big Brown. 30 years is a long time. And I think he's going to do it. Maybe it will get the monkey off Dersormeaux's back from the Real Quiet Belmont.

Burres needs to be separated from Olsen in the rotation - put Cabrerra between them - and told to relax and trust his stuff. This of course will be the same advice given to Big Brown in the not to distance future. You've got to love sports cliches that can be used in multiple sports.

It was good to see the vintage Armando Benitez that I've come to know and love. I said when he came into the game that I hoped he'd pitch like he did for the O's in the playoffs....and sure enough he did!

If he couldn't get Marquis Grissom, I guess there's no reason to think he can get Millar. Glad Benitez is wearing a rival's uniform now. Too soon to give up on Burres, but this shows it was too soon to declare him a fixture in the rotation. There aren't a lot of Jamie Moyer's out there. I'd give Hayden Penn a shot when we need a fifth starter. That's what rebuilding is about. A rotation anchored by Guthrie and DCab with Penn, Olson and Liz in it by mid-year would show the youth movement is truly on. Burress can join Matt Albers and Cormier in long relief. Johnson and Sherrill on the backend--now there's a pitching staff. Give Loewen a shot at Walker's spot (if we can get anything for him) and find someone to replace Bradford (who also sould be traded and release Trax (unless you can get some bats for him).

Just wanted to say thanks for keeping up a great blog. I enjoy reading it every day and you have helped restore my love for the team.

Just curious, does the sun require you to keep this blog? Make a set amount of posts?

Anyway, keep it up.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------Thanks Jared. Much appreciated. The Sun doesn't place many demands on this blog, other than keeping it in line with the paper's standards. Don't write anything in the blog that we wouldn't publish in print. There are gray areas, of course, but after doing this for more than 2 years, I've pretty much figured out where they draw the line. - Roch

Burres has to stop pitching the day after Olson. Put someone in between them to break things up. It's so obvious: this all started when Olson took the spot in front of Burres. They are too similar. Roch, please please ask Trembley about this..... Use one of the off days coming up, and give Burres some extra rest and reshuffle things.

Sidney Ponson must be one of the least intelligent people on the planet. He was finally pitching decent after all those years of 6 and 7 ERAs, and he still couldn't control himself. Hmmm ... millions of dollars and behave and be a team player? Nahhh, he'd much rather be himself: a blowhard, numero uno a-hole with a chip on his shoulder and an ax to grind. I bet he's sitting at home thinking, "Man, F*** Major League Baseball." "They're morons." I can't wait until he has to go get a regular job.

Soon as I heard Benitez was coming in, I knew some HR's were coming and we had the game won. Some things never change... Of course when Bradford came in in the bottom of the 8th...

Burres needs to sit. We have a wealth of pitching talent, and I love the guy's youthful manner and earnest efforts but he's become an impediment. If he were a power pitcher I might feel differently, but if your gig is to fool people and it's not working, it's painful to watch. Did anyone expect him to be more than a fifth starter anyway?

So is Mora just getting a pre-scheduled rest or Payton a predetermined start today? Not starting one of last night's hot bats?

Someone, somewhere must be able to get the scoop on the Ponson story. Must hinge on inappropriate aggression of the sort that's not as constructive as Youklis vs. Manny, or Youklis vs. the entire dugout when he's not hitting. Eating everything at the post-game buffet doesn't count, and I don't think Sid's bringing back the Canseco tradition of shooting up his teammates in the bathroom stalls.

Any further word on why the Rangers outrighted Ponson? They were very vague in their press release...
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Trying to get more details. Will pass them along if I succeed. - Roch

Hey Roch, I agree about Jones. I am not at all crazy about them moving him into the 2 spot the first time against a pitcher like burnett? that to me makes absolutely no sense? he is a power pitcher with a dominating curve...thetype that gives any right hand batter trouble - and especially a 22 year old that strikes out a lot. I wish they would just leave him down low in th eorder until at least the all Star break. he strikes out way to much to be a 2 hitter...hopefully i am wrong and he thrives up there...i just don't see the logic against this pitcher.

Roch,

Gotta agree with you on the Steeler teams of the 70's. A lot of those guys are in the Hall Of Fame. And God bless Dwight White. Great defensive lineman!! Those Cotls teams from the late 50's thru early 70's were pretty special too! I'm still convinced that Super III was fixed. No way the Colts loose that game. That's just me.

Anyway, back to baseball. I'm not surprised that Loewen wants to start this season, that's a healthy sign from a pro competitor standpoint, however slowly working his way back in thru the bullpen makes sense. As for Burres, I've always felt he was better suited for long or middle relief. Since we are in rebuilding, I think it's time we see what some of the young arms can do. I'm with a lot of others on this blog, release Traxxs. Heck let's bring up Penn and find out once and for all whether this guy can pitch at this level.

Yeah, I have to agree with you on Jones. That swing looks better and better as the season progresses.

I guess the summer came at a very good time as the offense is starting to click. Scored 6 runs last night, 8 today. Keep it up!

Yes, Jones has looked much better at patience and driving the ball. He can only get better as he gets experience like Markakis has done the last two years.

Now, let's win today, and tomorrow. And, then, get the series against Boston when they are at their weakest without Ellsbury and whoever else.

Word is Trembley will bump Burres back a day in the rotation.... good move!

Am I stupid or is Vince Mc Mahone running a foney contest? I've tried for 20 or more times to enter. When you click enter , nothing happens. What a joke! I'll try afert the race.

Jose Mesa begat Armando Benitez. Benitez begat Terry Mathews. Mathews begat Mike DeJean. DeJean begat Jorge Julio. Julio begat Chris Ray. Chris Ray begat Danys Baez. I'm glad to see this year's bullpen is making up for years of ineptitude. It reminds me of the bullpen of the late 80's-early 90's of Williamson, Frohwirth, Poole and the Otter. I know it is a long season but it sure is nice to see the maturation of our young pitchers, the development of Markakis, and to see Jones go through the process of becoming an offensive force. After years of despair, we are finally realizing what words like hope and future mean.

The Blue Jays released Benitez today. Too bad they didn't wait for the end of the series with the O's. But looks like we're pounding 'em anyway. 'Bout time we scored for Guthrie.

Burres needs 10 days rest. They should rotate him in with Albers (every other start) as the long men on the skipped starts and see how that shakes out.

Bottom line about Burres is that the guy is great with a lot of rest. Below average when he hits his personal wall.

I have been hearing from some friends in Boston that there is talk the Red Sox are going to approach the O's about Millar. Especially if Big Poppi is out for any length of time. Any thoughts?

The Os bullpen doesn't need to blow this game for Guthrie after he finally gets some runs to work with!!!

Boston wants a left handed bat. Probably Huff would be a better choice for them, but I doubt he would go cheaply.

Opps. I'm stupid. I figured it out. A couple of smart trades - Millar, Rob ect. might just give us the boost this year. Sal's coming. Liz? Only God knows. Wieters still has 2 retired secret service men tagging along with him. PA's idea. Stupid.

Here is a link from the Texas web site. Seems Sidney was just being Sidney.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/teamReport?categoryId=71599&type=InsideSlant

Have we all seen enough of Trachsel? I have! How does he look at Trembley that way as he comes to get him out. he needs to go right now - do not need that garbage on this team the way they are going.

I hope the Orioles just decide to dump Trachsel. I was listening to the game on XM today and they were surprised how the veteran pitcher stared down the manager as he came to remove him after giving up 2 runs in the 9th w/o getting an out (of course he wasn't helped by his defense).

Was the stare-down as bad as these Toronto radio guys were suggesting?

Here's a link to the Dallas Morning News on the Ponson DFA...

http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/06/texas-rangers-cut-ties-with-sidney-ponso.html

Trachsel makes a 9-1 game interesting in the 9th. Yes, the O's defense was bad in the 9th, but Trachsel brings nothing positive to the team! He should be released immediately.

A confession.
Up here in Canada , from time to time you may be subjected to a not so rare bird, the office Blue Jays fan. On Thursday , at approximately 7:13 EDT, my old circa '70 style Orioles hat was taped to the underside of his desk .

If you do the math , it took about 26 hours for the full impact to be recognized in the 8th inning of Fridays game . It has carried on through Saturday.

Further to all this. Freedie Bynum in the 9th inning today; Get an out , get an out , get an out .

He was looking to first base instead of catching the ball. I hope he gets an earful after the game. I appreciate that he is playing deep in a 9-1 game , but get one out anyway. It didn't help Trachsel any ( don't kick a guy when he is down ) .

Also, Quiroz reaction on the double that was given up by Trachsel is interesting. What was the pitch supposed to be ? Trachsel wouldn't even look at him.

Quiroz hustle on Brian Roberts overthrow was totally commendable.

40 to go.

Stunning comeback. I've gotten used to being a victim of this type of game, not a victor. Last year we endured the "Mothers Day Massacre". This year we just may be experiencing the "Father's Day Redemption".

Burres can go to the bullpen because the O's NEED to unload Traschel. He is WORTHLESS, he is hardly the dependable pitcher from last year. His stuff does not fool ANYONE...

My earlier URL didn't copy across in my earlier message. It was attached to my name. But a really good link for why Ponson was released is at the Dallas Morning News.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/baseball/rangers/stories/060608dnspoponson.2e2175a.html

Sidney Ponson is an alcoholic that is still drinking. This self distructive behavior is not easy to stop. Maybe Dennis Martinez can get through to Sir Sid. It is with sadness that I read he has not been able to defeat his demons.

I agree with Rusty and Alan - would like to see Burres not follow Olson in the rotation - but this was not a factor against the Jays. Burres is a classy dude with good stuff when he's on. Here's hoping he gets straightened out quick.

Good win for Guthrie - another class act.

Nice to see Jay Payton bash the ball.

Lots of O's contributing - and it seems Sarfate is dialed in right now too. Everybody seems to be stepping up - even Quiroz with his limited chances. If I'm Trembley, I'm thinking that Quiroz gets some more playing time.

Also, kudos to O's FO for bringing in Quiroz, and Sarfate, and Adam Jones, and Luke Scott, who's swinging better lately, and Sherrill, and Albers, and ...
get the picture?

AM knows what he's doing and DT is a gem of a a manager. Things are looking up - it's June and the O's are just four back in the loss column to the RS - and not that the O's are going to win the AL East, but if the other teams don't run away...
It's sweet to see the O's staying in there. Who would have thought that in June the O's would be above .500 and in 3rd place? It's been a great season so far. Keep it rolling O's!!

Yeah, we need to just release Traschel. As the Luis Hernandez move was obvious, this move is too.

I was very surprised that we actually are in 3rd place. If we can pull off the rare sweep, and get the series in Boston, we can really climb up the standings. We gotta get on a very good winning streak.

Offense needs to keep it up. They are smoking as of late.

you lost me right after "thats why i've never been a steeler hater"...