See you in September...maybe
In the various conversations that have gone around the ballpark leading up to the September roster expansion, manager Dave Trembley and O's officials have left the impression that there will not be wholesale promotions. The club intends to promote a catcher, at least one infielder and outfielder and several pitchers.
Here's what we know, or at least feel confident about: Brandon Fahey will be coming up and Kam Mickolio will be coming back after being demoted last night to make room for starting pitcher Brian Burres. Top prospect Matt Wieters will be going home to rest up for the fall league.
The rest is open for discussion, and we'll start with the infield. Fahey will come back to play a utility role and the Orioles could bring up middle infielder Eider Torres and first baseman Oscar Salazar. Both are on the 40-man roster, so it's just a matter of how many guys the club wants in the clubhouse and which ones Trembley would actually use enough to justify their presence.
Third baseman Mike Costanzo is a different story. He is not on the 40-man, which could make it difficult to justify bringing him up -- if his 22 errors at Norfolk don't already. Freddie Bynum also has to be under consideration, but he isn't on the 40-man either and there isn't as much flexibility there as their was earlier in the season.
The O's also would have considered Scott Moore under normal circumstances, but he's still in a cast with a fractured thumb.
Call for the question: If the club ends up going with either two or three infield call-ups, who would you like to see them promote?
Next up: We'll talk about the outfield situation in about an hour.
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Comments
What is the issue the team has with Nolan Reimold? The kid is almost 25 and still stuck in AA? Now he isn't even on the list for a callup? If they don't think he has a future with the team they should try and trade him. .
Posted by: Jeff V. | August 26, 2008 2:44 PM
This September call up is like locking the hen house door after the fox has eaten all of your chickens. Too much, Too little, Too late. Trembley's AARP contract precludes him from playing the youngsters, giving them valuable experience.
Posted by: a fan with delusions of grandeur | August 26, 2008 2:45 PM
The first order of business for Wieters and the rest of the Baysox will be the Eastern League playoffs. Then maybe some rest.
Posted by: GeorgeD | August 26, 2008 2:49 PM
Fahey is a given.
I would bring up Salazar to see if he could take Millar's place at 1B next year.
Eider Torres should only come up if there is going to be enough playing time for him.
It isn't worth wasting roster space, and options, to bring up anyone else at this point.
Posted by: Rick | August 26, 2008 2:51 PM
I'd like to see Tike Redman come up. Although he's probably not an MLB .300 hitter I still loved what he did last year and always felt he deserved a spot on the team this year, though there really wasn't much choice with the outfield this year.
Posted by: Matt | August 26, 2008 3:13 PM
Nobody not already on the 40-man roster. Salazar and Torres definitely. If Moore had been playing prior to call up time I'd like to give him a look. Need to figure out who will be utility guys for next year, and if Salazar can fill in at 1B if they can't make a big free agent signing.
Posted by: Jack | August 26, 2008 3:18 PM
I disagree with you about Fahey. He has 11 errors in the half season that he has played in Norfolk.Torres is a much better hitter and fielder then Fahey. Fiorentino is on the 40 man, and probably will get the call. Costanzo who has played 1B/3B/C does have 22 errors, but has a decent fielding %, plus the O's probably want to see him play on the major league level in September...plus he can be used in the bullpen to catch. The O's need to put Costanzo and Reimold on the 40 man by November. I think Reimold will join the team after the Bowie playoffs
Posted by: Dickey | August 26, 2008 3:44 PM
Defintly Fahey, Torres and maybe Blake Davis to start next years 4 people for the short stop Inculding Castro. My choice would be to let Davis or Torres Try for the spot with Castro as backup for when they Fail or need a brake
Posted by: Anonymous | August 26, 2008 4:09 PM
Defintly Fahey, Torres and maybe Blake Davis to start next years 4 people for the short stop Inculding Castro. My choice would be to let Davis or Torres Try for the spot with Castro as backup for when they Fail or need a break
Posted by: Anonymous | August 26, 2008 4:09 PM
For the infield, bring up Salazar, Fahey, and Costanzo.
Has Costanzo been making progress as a catcher?
Posted by: Barry | August 26, 2008 4:35 PM
Eider Torres and Salazar.
Give Torres the remaining Sundays and one other day during the week at second.
Play Salazar at first and bench Millar.
Posted by: Scott | August 26, 2008 6:27 PM
Torres hit 1, count em, one home run this year and played the bulk of the time at second base. Just to keep you up to date on why the O's need to find a shortstop that can hit and field, check out the YTD numbers on their many shortstops. Collectively, they are hitting .226 with 1 Home Run and 39 RBI's. In addition to that, they have made 23 errors and muffed or misplayed a number of other balls.
Posted by: Deke | August 26, 2008 7:58 PM
What is the infactuation with Fiorentino, I want to see Reimold. Fiorentino is another banjo hitter. He's only hit 2 home runs during his time at Norfolk, while Reimold has put up some real solid power numbers.
Posted by: Deke | August 26, 2008 8:01 PM
My position player call-up picks:
Torres 2B/SS
Costanzo 3B/IB/C/DH
Reimold OF
Off the 40-Man
Fahey
Moore-(Left the team and went home)
Deserves a call-up.... but we need to play the youngsters...
Salazar-30yrs. old
Roberson-29yrs old
Redman-31yrs. old
Posted by: Dickey | August 26, 2008 9:46 PM