Pre-game Trembley
It’s a tired topic that can’t be put to rest until the young starters – or any starter besides Jeremy Guthrie – begin pitching deeper in games.
The attachment to this topic involves the lack of viable options at Triple-A Norfolk or the bullpen. But it’s becoming clear that manager Dave Trembley won’t stand pat much longer.“I think at this particular point and time, you have to consider every possibility, just from the standpoint of keeping the morale of your team from going bonkers,” he said. “You guys know all the numbers and all the situations. Look at the last x-amount of games and how quickly we’ve been behind in the first or second inning. Not by one or two runs, but by crooked numbers of runs, and how this team has responded. Now, you would have to be someone that would expect to be Moses and part the Red Sea to think that’s not going to take its toll on your team. And I think they’re waiting and looking to see if we can do something. I have a new respect for the term ‘patience.’ I really do, because people look to see how you’re going to react, how are you going to handle it, how are you going to deal with it. Just trying to keep an even keel approach on it. The last thing I want to do is accept it, and the last thing I want is the players to accept it. I hope people are upset about it. I wish somebody would light a fire under somebody and say, ‘Hey, enough is enough.’ Like in the movie, the guy opens up the window and yells out, ‘We’re not going to take it anymore.’ It’s hard. It really is.”
Finally, a Peter Finch reference from “Network.” It’s been a while. So what can the Orioles do, besides open up a window and yell?Asked about dipping into the minors for pitching help, Trembley said, “I think sometimes you have to do something that you feel will give you a little shot in the arm. Sometimes, a shot in the arm will do wonders, so you have to consider all the possibilities, and yet also understand the ramifications of all the other things to be considered – makeup, service time, roster spots, all those other things. My wife told me last night she’s never seen me run out of a dugout so fast, up those stairs to take Burres out. I guess I did because I didn’t want to see that anymore. It’s not that I didn’t want to see it anymore, I didn’t want those guys out there to see it anymore and think I’m going to sit back on my hands and say it’s OK. It’s not OK. What I can do about it, I don’t know. What I’d like to do about it is another story. What we will do about it is, stay tuned.”
And more:"We want to play better, we need to pitch better. We have 60 games to play. We want to win the majority of those games, we have to get better starting pitching. If we don’t get better starting pitching, it’s not going to be what we’re looking for. I’m trying to be realistic about it and not say, ‘Oh woe is me,’ but we’ve gone through the down period long enough and I think we’ve been patient for a long time and given people ample opportunity to pull their socks up and to button up their chin strap and just give us a little sense of encouragement, and let me see something that makes me feel like, ‘OK, we’re going to get out of it.’ And to be honest with you, I’m still waiting, and I don’t know how much longer I can wait. And I don’t know how much longer Andy’s going to wait. I’m not trying to be threatening or anything like that. I love all these guys. They’re great. But if it ain’t working, we’ve got to try to do something to fix it. And the solutions and the answers that we have might not be the best for right now, but I don’t think we have anything to lose by at least trying maybe something different. I’m not saying that’s going to happen tomorrow or next week, but I think it definitely has to be considered. I think that’s fair. I don’t think anybody would argue about that.”
Trembley didn’t buy the suggestion that he could switch catchers to see if a new voice – or set of fingers – behind the plate would aid the starters.“If there’s blame to be placed anywhere, it’s on the guy putting them out there,” he said, pointing one finger at himself. “These guys are starting because it’s on my watch and I’m running them out there. The blame doesn’t go on Ramon or the guy who’s catching or the pitching coach or any of that. And I think that sends the wrong message. Trust is a very difficult thing to obtain, in life and in this game, and I think you could do something to scar some people and you may not get them back. And I don’t want to do that. It’s not Ramon’s fault.”
And it’s not Matt Damon’s fault. (F-bomb alert. Watch at your own risk):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOVS_SYyXe8
Comments
Roch, first off, glad to hear that you are well again. Summer bugs are terrible. And so is the Budweiser Flu. :-)
Also, did you know that Peter Finch received the only posthumous Oscar to date? I hear talk of Heath Ledger possibly in line for his role in the latest Batman movie.
and now for some Orioles comments: thanks for the insight on what Trembley is thinking and doing about it.
I appreciate your posts and your inside access!
Like you when the Birds are at home, I have to work tomorrow.
Posted by: Rob in PCB FL | July 26, 2008 5:55 PM
I understand his frustration, but this rant has gone on for weeks. Time for some action. I know the options are slim, but you never know when a nobody becomes a somebody. I am not very confident in liz tonight. I will be watching closing to Trembley when Liz is pulled early.
Posted by: Jared | July 26, 2008 6:05 PM
re: Matt Wieters "gruffness"....I was at a game in Winston-Salem in early June(when he was still with Frederick). Several guys came over to sign(when we asked them). Wieters didn't come(I don't think he was asked), but he was working with the pitching coach and doing his own warm-ups and warming the starting pitcher(Brandon Erbe). I took several pictures that night. I have sent those pictures to the Frederick players requesting them to be signed. I sent Wieters 7 4x6 pictures and the team card and he signed them all through the mail! Only 3 of 18 players that I mailed pictures to haven't returned them yet(all mailed between June 9 July 9)....Chris Amador, Wilfredo Perez and.......Billy Rowell. Matt Wieters got his back to me in 7 days. One picture had Brandon Erbe warming and Danny Figueroa in the background. I sent the pic to Erbe, he signed it....I sent it back to Figueroa and he signed it. The same situation with Wieters and Blaine Beatty(pitching coach). I have the most success with minor leagues through the mail than I've had with any major sport(MLB, NFL, NBA or NHL). Maybe Wieters is just not a social person!
Posted by: ncbeth | July 26, 2008 6:05 PM
Isn't it "woe is me" instead of "whoa is me"? or was he being sarcastic?
Like I mentioned in another blog entry, it's very clear, painfully clear, that our singular problem is starting pitching. We need established starters. I don't mean Kris Benson or other Established wannabes. I'm saying AJ Burnett or Washburn or others. We need to seriously dip into the cash reserves or else. Because like Trembley says, we definitely need a shot in the arm immediately.
Trembley says he hopes people are upset about this. Well, I think it is clear and obvious that people ARE. It's up to Andy MacPhail to complete the deals we're expecting and to pull off some surprises (starting pitching). Because we just need that aspect fixed ASAP. If they want to win the majority of these 60 games - pry AJ Burnett or others! Just until the off season.
I hope Andy MacPhail is reading Roch's blog because he needs to know how much the fans are upset and concerned with the franchise right now. I mean, we have Wieters who's just hit another homerun. And we don't have any other pitching prospects in Triple-A who's worth of a call-up. And all are in Double-A. That's scary. Because I'm not exactly confident in our starters except for Guthrie (75 percent). That is pitiful.
Roch and I don't play a doctor on a TV show but I would definitely recommend two or three shots in different places to give this team a decent shot at winning several straight games.
Whew, that's the longest I've ever gone for a blog entry. Doesn't break Roch's record, though.
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It is "woe." I fixed it. Thanks! - Roch
Posted by: Ben W | July 26, 2008 6:14 PM
Lets make a point and send Burress down, Liz and Olson down as well. Let bring up 3 AA,AAA players, They cant do much worse.
By the way Ramon stinks at catcher, move him if you can
Posted by: Smitty | July 26, 2008 6:17 PM
You gotta think Safate will be starting as early as next week. I also assume that Penn, no matter how poorly he's throwing in AAA, gets a look as well. I'm pretty worried about next year. Best case only 3 of the current 5 (Olsen joining Guthrie and Cabrera) project as starters next year. I don't see anyone on the farm being ready to step up in 09. We will need to go a vet that can win 10-12 games.
Posted by: Ryan | July 26, 2008 6:19 PM
Doesn't this just break your heart......
Here's the story. Fans understand the Red Sox have struggled to determine if the coming decision to accept the option year on Manny's contract is the right move for the team. Meanwhile Manny and agent Scott Boras are more than happy to talk in the press about their desires to sign another long-term deal and their willingness to do so outside of Boston (and, possibly, seeking to entice a trade out of Boston now). Yesterday, in one of the biggest games of the season, Boston manager Terry Francona filled out a lineup card with Manny batting fourth, but that was followed by an announcement that Manny could not play. It appears Manny is claiming there were problems with his right knee. In the past, management and the manager would be more than happy to accept and support this excuse, but not this time. Instead, the manager - apparently confident there's nothing wrong with the slugger - put Manny's name in the lineup, then sat and waited for Manny to pull himself out of the lineup. Manny complied. Never concerned with wins or losses, Manny told Brad Mills he was unable to play and took himself out of the batting order for a game that means as much as any this season. With that, the Globe reports the team is ready to move on, and resulting rumors of a potential trade seem certain to follow.
Posted by: Brian | July 26, 2008 6:25 PM
Roch-May i wish you a quick recovery?
Some of your Bloggers seem be getting anxious about fast approaching Trade Deadline . Not to mention few , if any , trade rumors floating on your Blogs .
Roch , dont get me wrong , i am not complaining . If you dont report any trade rumors , i just take it as you dont see any credence in them . But , you doing a splendid job , thank you .
Has anyone notices that O's not only team not making any trades ? yesterday's Yanks/Pirates deal was only one consumated . What , MLB only allows one trade per calender day ?
Posted by: Allan | July 26, 2008 6:33 PM
Just saw the Manny problems with Boston. Even though he has had these problems, he's still a dangerous slugger and we would have had him if we pulled the trigger in that trade for Tejada.
Can we look back and say, yeah we shoulda have had Manny? He would definitely be Markakis's protector and would give us that feared slugger we need.
But of course, the issue is starting pitching. So focus on that first. Then go for the sluggers.
Posted by: Ben W | July 26, 2008 6:39 PM
I think Dave Trembley is doing good job as O's manager . The only problem i have with him is that he cant throw strikes on the mound , or pitch until 7th inning , or get clutch base hits .
He been ranting the past few weeks . Why ? Because he CARES about his players and winning . He is trying light a spark under the team without CALLING anyone's name out . All i hope for the players take upon themselves to work their way out of losing slumps . Well done , Trembley .
Posted by: Allan | July 26, 2008 6:42 PM
I think Trembley is an awesome manager. This all falls on the lap of Mcphial - he is the one who put this team together. The sad part is of all the teams in the East - they have had the fewest starting pitcher injuries. That any team can let a promising young arm like Liz go out and get his brains beat in ever 5 days is embarrassing - class organizations do not do that to their young pitchers - but this is still 2nd class city even with all the good mcphail has done - the pitching here at the major league level is a JOKE! It's not worth even following this team anymore this year - imagine being a position player - you put up a 3 spot and one inning later the Angels get 3 with two swings - really, why bother? Yea, they're professionals but how important are the little things and hustle plays when your starters are giving up 8 runs a game? This team is a major league joke...I guess it will all be worth it in the next few years, but I wouldn't pay a red cent to watch this starting pitching...it should be minor league pricing - thanks mr. Mcphail for a wonderful 2008!
Posted by: Gary | July 26, 2008 8:39 PM
Let's get off Trembley's back, he is just frustrated and I can see why. He has only one major league starter and he has nowhere to go for help. Check out the Norfolk staff and their ERA's;
Craig Anderson 7.54
Chris Waters 6.08
Jon Leicester 5.91
Hayden Penn 5.17
Andy Mitchell 4.52
All of them are retreads or tainted in some way. Couple that with Tillman getting hit around lately, at Bowie, and it is readily apparent that there are no Bedard's that are major league ready who we can call up. There isn't even a decent prospect at Norfolk. So you can easily see why Trembley is frustrated. Give him credit, through the first 100 games he maximized what he could get out of the talent he had. The team was fun to watch. Now, due to injuries and declining performances by people like Cabrera, and the inability of Olson and Liz to pitch effectively at this level, the man doesn't have much to work with and there is no help on the way. Also, he has been forced to play 100 games without a major league shortstop. The SS's collective contribution is something like a .219 average, 1 home run and 29 RBI's and shakey defense. So lets get off of his back and instead support the guy during the last 60 games of the season, because the O's will be lucky to win 20 of them.
Posted by: Deke | July 26, 2008 9:01 PM
I can't wait for post-game trembley
it's pretty obvious that after all of 7 starts or so, the league has caught up with another Oriole phenom, who at this time just does not have the stuff to be pitching at this level. Jeez, the numbers speak for themselves.
No mas.
forget Cowboy Up, how about the Oriole slogan being Towel In
Posted by: jim66 | July 26, 2008 9:15 PM
What are Trembley's options? He has none. The guys at AA -- Tillman, Hernandez, etc. -- are not ready. The stats on the AAA pitchers certainly don't warrant a call-up.
The current situation -- albeit the Orioles weren't going anywhere anyway this season -- is disheartening. I mean, I can make a strong case that Radhames Liz is the second best starter on the team. That's how bad it is -- and we're going to have to deal with it. Because nobody bringing up the rear in the minors. Hayden Penn? Don't make me laugh -- he would be, at best, a middle reliever at best in the minors somewhere.
Daniel Cabrera is back to being his old self -- only worse. Garrett Olson appears as if he's unbelievably scared to pitch to contact. Radhames Liz can't command anything. Brian Burres just doesn't have good enough stuff to go through a lineup three times.
Posted by: Luke | July 26, 2008 9:43 PM
Leave the kids in Bowie. We can't stunt anyones growth when we all knew or should have known 2008 was going to be a grind....
Posted by: Danny | July 26, 2008 10:14 PM
you have to put someone out there to pitch. You can't cut them all and come up w/four new pitchers just like that. But you can change the catcher and let him go once/twice through the rotation and see what happens. Could it get worse? Yes, but more likely it will be the shot in the arm we need to change what's been happening. Or maybe Trembley wants to change jerseys again. It aint the jersey that is killing us, it's what is underneath the jersey.
Posted by: big Al | July 26, 2008 11:11 PM