Orioles: La Russa, Trembley talk lend-lease program
Never accuse Orioles manager Dave Trembley or Cardinals manager Tony La Russa (right) of not being about to think outside the box. The Orioles have a huge pitching surplus -- from a spring training innings standpoint -- and the Cardinals have a shortage, so the two managers have discussed a plan where the Orioles lend the Cardinals a pitcher or two.
"I have a relationship with Dave,'' La Russa said. ""I don't know if he can get all the innings for everybody, and I don't know if it could be done, but take Friday for instance. Their guy could give us an inning or two. I think we could work it so the guy that gets lent, he is sure to pitch."
If it sounds crazy, it really isn't, though the teams would need permission from Major League Baseball for the exchange program. La Russa said he'd have to run it by his GM first. So would Trembley.
"My gut is there would be nothing wrong with it,'' La Russa said. "We're in different leagues."
It would certainly solve a problem for the Orioles, who have 37 pitches in camp and are already looking ahead to big innings squeeze during the middle of spring training.
"It's an interesting concept,'' Trembley said. "He asked if I had a problem with him going back to his GM to check on it, and then they would call Andy (MacPhail). I told him I had no problem. It's an interesting idea. I don't know what the rules are or how it would be received."
Associated Press photo
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Comments
Wow, that's really interesting. Has it ever happened before?
It would behoove the O's to lend LaRussa situational relievers -- Jamie Walker, especially -- because then maybe we can trade them to the Cardinals down the line.
Posted by: section 34 | February 26, 2009 11:07 AM
I like this bottom-up innovative thinking. I just hope the top-down system of the MLB doesn't squash it.
Posted by: Kevin from Baltimore | February 26, 2009 11:23 AM
This exchange program would be in keeping with the friendly Baltimore--St. Louis connection that has existed throughout the years, i.e, Browns coming to Baltimore in 1954, birthplace of Earl Weaver, Hank Peters and superscout Jim Russo working for the Browns before joining the Orioles.
Any chance that we can borrow Albert Pujols for a few games in the regular season?
Posted by: Barry | February 26, 2009 11:28 AM
Thats downright brillant. It seems a win/win for everyone involved and as long as there are strictures in place removing culpability if an O's pitcher gets hurt pitching for the Cards I say do it.
Posted by: Jeff V. | February 26, 2009 11:35 AM
heck, let's sign 37 more pitchers and loan them to other teams. it is worth it if we can find just one good starting pitcher.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 26, 2009 11:46 AM
We need to lend them Walker and Baez. Then when they try to give them back, we dont answer the phone and move with no forwarding address!
Posted by: mikepcfl | February 26, 2009 12:02 PM
If someone gets hurt, the blame game will kick in and nothing but headaches will come out of this.
I say we just trade them our surplus pitchers - Pauley and Hennessy - for a surplus first baseman of theirs named Albert Pujols.
Posted by: Fang Guy | February 26, 2009 12:04 PM
There is a reason your family name is Schmuck. Thinking this was ever going to happen proves your namesake.
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Pete's reply: Thanks for the original name joke. I never said it was going to happen. Thought you'd enjoy hearing what Trembley and La Russa were talking about. I thought it was interesting. Guess you'd rather see an item on how the Heels choked against Maryland.
Posted by: Tony | February 26, 2009 2:54 PM