Injury? He needs to be honest about whatever it is. The truth is that the ONLY thing that Cabrera has ever offered is his injury-free arm. Once that comes into conflict, he has *zero* value as MLB'er.

Quite honestly, apart from his ability to eat innings as a #5 starter, he is absolutely rancid.

They should get rid of Walker and sign one of the kids that pitched at Williamsburg. Anything would be better. I feel sorry for Trembly, his relief staff has fallen apart, in part due to injuries and political and business decisions on the part of the front office,and he has one solid starter. Now the bats are cooling off, so how can you expect him to win?

Jim Palmer pointed out DCabrera was holding his arm differently, putting it behind his back before throwing -- and the pitching looked more like aiming.

Danny never "won't take the ball" when it's his turn... he's not sound.

If he is hurt he needs to say something. He is hurting himself and the team by keeping it to himself. what happened to being a team player. He is being too selfish.

4 starters and a couple of position players away from being competitive...
and given the nature of most bullpens, throw a couple of relievers in for good measure.

I really enjoyd the soocer commentary and analysis. I have been involved with soccer as a parent and coach since 1980. I look forward to seeing the women whenever I can. Missed several games of Olympics due to poor info. What I did see was wonderful. I hope to hear analysis from brandie as much as possible. She makes the game better by her input. I wish I could have seen her play. I was able to go to Philadelphia for World Cup. (I live in Lawton, OK) She was injured so I didn't get to see her. Keep up the good work as an analyst. You're the best I've ever heard. Nez

Phil, I'm with you. I get tired of hearing people say, "its OK if Cabrera carries a 5.00 ERA, because he is an "innings eater," and can be the #5 guy in our rotation." Yea, if you don't want a shot at winning every 5 days when his turn comes up. The definition of an "innings eater" is a pitcher with a losing record, who's team, unfortunately, can't find anyone better so they keep marching him out there, despite his lack of effectiveness. So the IE goes out to the mound every 5 days and gives his team a very low percentage chance to win. In Cabrera's case, he has given up 6 or more earned runs in 5 of his last 8 starts and sports an ERA of 5.24 for the year. Why, because he leads the league in hits allowed, walks and hit batters, all of which is the formula for a high ERA and lots of losses. This is nothing new for Cabrera, he did the same thing last year. In the last three months he has been horrendous, with ERA's of 7.06 in June, 5.65 in July and a 7.72 ERA through August. Yet, the O's have to know that their chances of winning are going to be severly reduced when they start a guy like Cabrera, who, in the last 3 months, has an ERA close to 7.00, but, they keep marching him out there. Even good hitting teams can't always overcome that disadvantage every 5 days. So why is he a good guy to have as a starter at the back end of our rotation? Tampa Bay wins because they have 5 solid starters, not 4 good ones and a lackey "innings eater" starting for them every 5th day. That is why they are in first place. If the O's had Tampa Bays starters, with the way they hit the ball, they would be in first place. It is as simple as that. When the O's were at their best from 1960 to 1985, they did it with solid starting pitching and outstanding defense. So the notion that if we develop four solid starters and use Cabrera as our 5th starter, is ridiculous, if you want to compete in the American League East. Let's face it, the guy is getting worse, not better, and "the light is never going to go on." So as soon as we develop or sign a replacement for Cabrera, the guy has to head down the road.

Deke, that's a good point. An "innings eater" is in fact a pitcher prone to a high ERA and losing record. Did anyone ever call either Seaver, Palmer, Carlton, Big Train, Ryan, etc, an 'innings eater'?!? I think not.

Daniel is pretty much finishing his course in an O's uniform this year, I think. I hope.

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Pete's reply: I don't think you can even mention DC with the guys you just brought up, but when the O's are calling up 2A and 3A guys almost every day, an "innings eater" is a welcome presence. Unfortunately, Daniel isn't even that right now.

DCab can only be mentioned with the likes of those who also have no idea where the ball is going once it leaves their hand. Forward is about as close as you might get if you were a betting man. I really believe he has just a small chance of actually hitting a spot(except when he's aiming at ARod). I actualy got to watch him throw today. He pretty much looks disinterested(again,except when he's aiming at ARod). Disappointing to say the least.
And if he's pitching hurt, shame on the O's and him. There's barely a reason to throw him out there when he's healthy. Losing teams don't need any martyrs. It makes a bad storyline for a team going absolutely nowhere.

Time to shut down Cabrera? Yes. Permanantly. In Baltimore anyway. What's with all the eternal projects-in-development in this city? Ponson, Boller, Cabrera etc, etc. From now on if a player doesn't deliver the projected goods after 3 seasons GET RID OF THEM. END THE EXPERIMENTS AND CUT YOUR DAMN LOSSES.

Pete, I wasn't comparing the two parties (the Greats & Cabrera). I was underscoring that the term 'innings eater' is never mentioned in connection with a great pitcher, but is done so in connection with a poor pitcher.

Jim66: "Forward..." ROFL!!!

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Pete's reply: You're absolutely right. It is damning with faint praise.

We don't have the "other" 3 starters needed. DCab needs to be an "innings eater" until we get the other pieces. It is going to be hard enough to get 3 good starters let alone 4. Tampa did not always have 5 starters. They lost for a long time because they had 1 or 2 so so starters and no one else. We are in a process here. Is DCab a long term solution? Probably not, but I'll take him over the 2008 version of Trachsel. Lets keep our eye on the next 12 years not the next 12 months. There is only so much that the Front Office can do and if replacing DCab can be done fine, but if not, one more year will not keep us out of the playoffs in 2009 and just cutting him will not get us in the playoffs in 2009. DCab is at the end of my priority list. 3 starters, 1st base (Tex if it's less then 7-8 yrs and 200mil but don't count on it), SS, 3b after next year, signing Roberts and Markakis all come before DCab.

I think he is hurt also. Who is his agent? I'm surprised this person hasn't told Cabrera to shut it down. Isn't he in his walk year in '09? He doesn't want to go into it being injured.

He's just the last O's version of Milacki, Jason Johnson...guys with terrific stuff who never panned out?

To be honest, I'm not sure the O's have had any pitcher quite like Cabrera in a long, long time.

Bear in mind one thing about this guy - he is not a natural athlete and he started playing baseball rather late in his life. He really is not a baseball player, per se, but rather he was a project from the DR.

How on earth have they not cut jamie walker yet? he is a homerun machine..he is terrible. I understand that we have a contract on him still but jeez, lets cut bait. We should of taken 2 out of 3 from the yanks. In addition what is the shortstop situation way down on teh farm. Past bynum, fahey. Do we have any prospects?