Say it is so, Joe
Baltimore Sun baseball writers Jeff Zrebiec and Dan Connolly are reporting that the Orioles have extended the contract of scouting director Joe Jordan through the 2010 season. Jordan has been with the club since November of 2004 and has gotten high marks for the foundation of talent he has put together in his first four drafts.
The Orioles had languished for years among the lowest-rated player development systems in baseball, but the club's minor league stock has gone up sharply with the solid 2007 and 2008 drafts that featured top picks Matt Wieters and Brian Matusz.






Comments
Your "head lines" are great, and I bet you put a lot of thought into them, but I'm afraid they go right over the heads of most of your readers. Just a thought from an appreciative fan.
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Pete's reply: Thanks, but are saying that I should just put a real straight, mundane label on each item?
Posted by: Paul B | September 24, 2008 8:14 PM
well at least they stopped drafting those high school phenoms in the first round...did someone finally realized that the major league club needs help in 2 years, not 6?
Posted by: jim66 | September 24, 2008 8:52 PM
you gotta give liz a bit of credit...he comes back after a horrible 5 spot the previous inning ,gives up a leadoff double and escapes without further damage. I think the key with him is to convince him every team is the Twins.
I doubt there's a key to any of the others.
Posted by: jim66 | September 24, 2008 8:57 PM
i don't know how trembley sits thru this crap night after night...burres has pitched his way out of baltimore at least 7 times and counting...i know this is setting the bar pretty high, but not seeing burres next year might be a sign of progress...
Posted by: jim66 | September 24, 2008 9:42 PM
I think Jordan has done a pretty good job, but he has to get us some hitters.
Please don't bring Rocky Cherry back next year, for two reasons. One he has a non-macho name, and two, he can't throw the damn ball over the plate. Tonight is another example. He comes in and starts off with the biggest no-no for a relief pitcher, he walks the leadoff hitter. Then if that isn't bad enough he lets the guy steal second and then hits the second batter. Tampa sacrifices the runners to second and third, and then he walks the fourth hitter. He faces 4 hitters, walks 2, hits 1, and the only out is a sacrifice bunt by Tampa. Of course, then Castillo does his job and strikes out the only hitter he faces, only to have Bierd come in and walk in, not one run, but two. Tampa doesn't hit a ball out of the infield and they score on us twice by virtue of our relief staff giving them two runs without the benefit of a hit. Then Bierd gives up a two run single and the only out he records is Tampa getting a runner thrown out on the bases by Markakis. Don't blame Trembley for that kind of performance, in fact, somebody should start the suicide watch for the poor man.
Incidentally, that is Markakis' 17th outfield assist, and although you didn't comment on my earlier blog on the subject of Nick winning a Gold Glove, if he doesn't get one it is highway robbery.
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Pete's reply: I didn't dodge your question, but it requires me to look up the defensive stats of some players and I've been working the game tonight. I'll take a look at it and get back to you.
Posted by: Deke | September 24, 2008 10:31 PM
Just looking at the sub-Mendoza performance of Freddie Bynum and Juan Castro at shortstop. Between them, in 274 AB's (roughly half a season), they hit a combined .186 with 2 home runs and 24 RBI's. Many teams have pitchers that can hit better than that.
Joe Jordan better start looking for productive shortstops because it can't get any worse than that.
Posted by: Deke | September 24, 2008 10:52 PM
Pete,
I"m sick, while we obviously don't have the talent of the other 4 teams in our division, Dave Trembly and staff I believe have blown as many as 10 or more games this year with questionable pitching changes, lack of trips to the mound. I'm sure Dave is a great guy, knows the game, but as the season has gone on, the O's have lacked the fundamentals, fielding and Managerial skills to keep them in games.
Posted by: Keith Rowe | September 24, 2008 11:08 PM
I think for next year the O's should hire someone to teach our pitchers the direction of home plate.
Posted by: kenneth sherdel | September 25, 2008 7:38 AM