Trembley won't bite
Not long after Alfredo Simon completed the longest start by an Orioles pitcher, Dave Trembley was asked -- more than once -- if the big right-hander had won a place in the starting rotation.
"I'm not going to tell you that,'' Trembley said. "Let's just say he got our attention."
Let's just say that if Simon isn't in the starting rotation after pitching that well against a playoff-caliber New York Mets lineup, then this competition isn't really a competition at all. Simon now has pitched to a total of 60 batters and allowed just eight hitsand 13 total baserunners.
Simon said he is just trying to do his best, but doesn't seem surprised that he has done so well after reporting to camp late because of visa problems back in his native Dominican Republic.
"I just threw winter ball and then I came here late,'' he said, "but I was working in my hometown and I was ready to go. Everything right now is perfect."
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Comments
That is a good point!
If Simon hasn't earned a spot in the rotation at this point, then it would seem he never had a legitimate shot to begin with...what is the time line for making the final decisions?
Has Trembley given some indication as to when decisions about the rotation and the 12 or 13 pitchers dilemma will be resolved?
Thanks for helping satisfy my O's fix up here in Phils-ville!
Keep up the good work Schmuck!
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Pete's reply: Dave said he won't decide until after the O's break camp. I think it's fair to assume Simon is in the rotation.
Posted by: HowBoutThemO's | March 31, 2009 12:03 AM
I like this kid 8)
Posted by: Nate | March 31, 2009 12:03 AM
Simon has earned his chance as a starter. I don't like how Dave treats the unexpected guys like Simon who step up with rhetoric implying that they have more hurdles to leap but then gives Eaton a free pass.
This is not good for the fans and not good for the clubhouse.
Posted by: Barry | March 31, 2009 12:28 AM
Alfredo Simon has a career 5.06 ERA in 541 minor league innings pitched through last season. His WHIP ratio is 1.46 over his minor league career and his ERA has gotten progressively worse as he "advanced" through each level in the minor leagues. Let's not forget he'll be turning 28-years-old on May 8th.
You've just witnessed the extent of his "upside" the past three weeks. Enjoy it while it lasts, folks!
Posted by: malbie | March 31, 2009 12:33 AM
Simon deserves to start for the Orioles. Every pitcher that the O's brought to camp, knew they had a chance of a lifetime, and yet of the unknowns or on the bubble guys (not the young prospects), only Simon and Bass showed they belong with the O's. Penn has been awful and doesn't deserve a spot on this team if they go with 12 or 13 pitchers.
Pete, which two players (position and pitching) that you saw in FL, surprised you the most?
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Pete's reply: Wilfrido Perez and Justin Turner.
Posted by: Birdland Todd | March 31, 2009 1:01 AM
Pete, I think your point about this possibly not being a competition at all has already been proven. Brad Bergesen out-pitches everybody else and gets sent away. Lou Montanez and Nolan Reimold outplay Pie by a country MILE and neither of them will make the team. I hope Simon is one of our starters, but for some ridiculous reason, I think Trembley/Kranitz/MacPhail want to keep the dud Eaton on the team.
Posted by: SevernDave | March 31, 2009 6:59 AM
Peter, I hate to double post like this, but your mention of Justin Turner raised a question in my mind. Does Brian Roberts have a no trade clause in his contract?
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Pete's reply: Yes, he has a limited no-trade clause.
Posted by: Jay Peterson | March 31, 2009 8:15 AM
Bergeson will be back in April when a piece of the scrap pile starting rotation falls apart.
Posted by: Michael | March 31, 2009 9:37 AM
Simon earned a spot in the rotation because he did something no other pretender (Eaton, Hendrickson, etc) has the ability to do--get people out. As for Lou M, it is rediculous for the O's not to play this guy ahead of Pie and Freel since he was a 3 crown winner in our system and is hitting much better than those two at this time. He deserves a shot.
Posted by: Norm | March 31, 2009 10:03 AM
malbie--I've had my concerns looking at Simon's minor league stats myself, but maybe he's turned a corner in his career.
I watched last night as he more than held his own against what Pete rightly calls a playoff caliber team. That splitter/change was a swing-and-miss pitch. Maybe he's just developed it, which explain his newly found success.
Posted by: Ken Francis | March 31, 2009 11:55 AM