Not give up on Eaton? WTF am I missing?

Scott said it all, "We need pitching." Fans have been saying that for a year and a half. One of the misstakes the club made in the off season was to take a pass on Juan Cruz. He signed for two years with KC well below what was thought to be his market value. Yeh, I know he was a category A or B free agent and the club would have had to give up a draft choice. But how many draft choices actually make it to the bigs and perform like Cruz? Speaking of pitching, what's the chance that we'll see Wifredo Perez before too long?

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Pete's reply: I don't know. Maybe their waiting for him to give up his first run this season.

Really getting annoyed that they keep sending Eaton out there every fifth day. How many more times does he need to get bombed before they realize we can do better with someone else. Sometimes we are way too conservative with our prospects. They have to learn at some point. We are even better off with a journeyman like Chris Waters than Adam Eaton. He was terrible in Spring Training and his ERA is nearly 8. He's had one good start in a month and a half, yet we keep throwing him out there.

I agree with you about Luke saying the right things, and I agree with MacPhail's not calling up another pitcher yet. I hope that one of Reimold & Montanez goes back down after Jones gets better, since I want those two to be ready to rock next year. I'm very glad that Pie is staying up, since he may be hitting his stride, and that would be just awesome. You know, we don't have much hope for this year, but actually things are looking better and better for next year. Eaton and Hendrickson can't be starting for a team that hopes to win, but I say let them chew up some innings this year to let the boys with talent get plenty of seasoning down on the farm. It's a good time to be a fan! :)

You're last comment is the most disturbing. Eaton should have been gone with the roster move. Feel bad for Luke but it doesn't surprise me.

Have you seen anything from Eaton that's made you not ready to give up on him? Seems like every start he makes is a "reverse-lock.'

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Pete's reply: Not much, I admit.

Pete,

I won't break my arm patting myself on the back, but this actually makes mcphail sense, even if I said it would happen. It gives our current OF fleet of Pie, Montanez and Riemhold a chance to duke it out at least 10 days of course to determine who gets sent back to Norfolk. I myself would have outrighted Jaime Walker! Luke just needs to get healthy, he'll be ok!

I can't believe they are not doing something about Eaton. He has been absolutely terrible, and is almost a consistant loss every 5th day. Its unfair that the players have to play 5 days and know they have no chance at winning when he pitches unless they score 10 runs. I'd much rather see Pauley up here doing what Eaton is doing than Eaton continually saying the ball looks great out of his hand. We already know Pauley got through waivers once, so he always could again

I can't believe they are not doing something about Eaton. He has been absolutely terrible, and is almost a consistant loss every 5th day. Its unfair that the players have to play 5 days and know they have no chance at winning when he pitches unless they score 10 runs. I'd much rather see Pauley up here doing what Eaton is doing than Eaton continually saying the ball looks great out of his hand. We already know Pauley got through waivers once, so he always could again

I wish they would release Eaton and bring up Jason Berken. He seems to be doing well and from what I've been reading, he isn't one of their top prospects (I wonder why that is...his numbers are good).

With only one starter showing anything at all, I'm trying not to hope Hill is going to come in as a savior. That's really depressing, considering three months ago he was in camp as a low-cost reclamation project. I wish him the best, but it's pretty depressing to realize we're this hard up for rotation optimism.

Does anyone else thinkn it's weird how often the Orioles players use the third person plural when discussing managers or general manager issues.

Scott constantly referred to the decision "they" made. Freel sounded the same.

To me, it reeks of players who care about themselves rather than the team.

I have nothing against Scott and am glad he wants to play, is being candid, etc.

But watch how often Orioles players refer to the people who run the team as "they" and thereby disassociate themselves from the larger team.

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Pete's reply: Maybe its because "they" change so often in this organization, the players can't keep track of them.

Pete,

Please let Dave know, Rich Hill is pitching well, DO NOT Pull him in the 6th! Forget it, it's too late, Dave again erroneously pulled the trigger. I know Baez is pitching well but so is Hill and he isn't going to get stretched out by pulling him! Another knuckleheaded move! Over managing!

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Pete's reply: Now c'mon Keith. Wait a couple of starts before you start that. The guy needed to come out of there with a smile on his face. I was there in spring training. This is way more about his mindset than his innings pitched right now.

Pete,

Since you didn't get there in time to tell Dave to keep Hill in to finish the 6th. Please if there is a GOD, tell him to sit Walker down, wins are hard to come by, and letting this AA hurler in during games we are winning is bringing into question Dave's managerial decision making. He Stinks and should have been sent out when Hill came up!

I'm not surprised Scott is upset, I'm glad he is, he wants to play, but I agree the club made the right decision. There is no reason whatever to rush his recovery, and they might as well take the opportunity to give Hill and Reimold a look. If things work out the way I hope they do Reimold will either force his way onto the big league roster by playing so well they can't send him back, or he will light a fire under Pie and Montenez.
Looks like Hill was ready to come up, maybe Andy's right abut Eaton too. I'm willng to give him the benefit of a lot of doubts.

Pete, not sure I follow how the Scott decision is a commentary on Eaton's status. We need 12 pitchers so a position player had to be put on the DL or sent down so Hill could be activated. They still could easily decide that Eaton is done and call up someone from the minors to take his spot. If it were up to me it would be Pauley. Pauley may just be the right-handed Chris Waters, but he's also the Felix Pie of our minor-league staff. He has proven himself at AAA, so what is to be lost by seeing what he can do here.

Agreed! You have to like the fact that Luke wants to play. But since we're not going to be contending, why rush him back if he's not 100%? That's when bad habits or worse injuries can happen. We've seen what Luke can do and he'll back in the lineup as soon as he's ready. He's not Wally Pipp. Giving Pie and Eaton a little more time to get hot isn't a bad idea, again, since we're not going to be contending, give them every chance to stick with the team before you turn them loose. However, in the long run, I'd like to see Lou and Nolan get more at bats, and some of those "Young Gun" pitchers get their chances.

Not giving up yet on Eaton and Hendrickson? They should be released ASAP. Eaton's ERA is just under 8.00. Don't McPhail and Trembley realize how awful that is? If we arbitrarily say that mediocrity is about a 5.00 ERA, then Eaton is as far from mediocre in the bad direction as a Cy-Young-quality ERA of 2.00 is in the positive direction. It is a travesty to keep Eaton around just to throw his 100 pitches and give up his 4 runs in 5 innings. If he is still around by the next home stand, I propose that the Baltimore community boycott his next home start to protest the repeated use of a pitcher who is ineffective again and again. .

Pete,
Did Mike Ricigliano drop a Pulp Fiction reference on us for his latest Oriole bird cartoon? That made my night.

Bad timing for Luke as he was getting hot, hitting the ball hard and chipping in nicely to the offense when he went down. Also, it was to be expected, the trip to the DL. but hopefully, he can keep his hot hand when he returns...(and then we will get more in return for him when he is traded at the deadline, for more pitching?)

Can you please tell me why Mr.McPhail is so enamored with Adam Eaton?This is a 3-4 year continuing process here.He hasn't been good in quite a while.He hasn't even been consistently average in 2 or 3 years.This is the part of the overall evaluation of talent that bewilders me and makes it hard to buy into the "PLAN" as it has come to be known.I still don't see the "PLAN".Reimold and Montanez were brought here because of injuries,is that the "PLAN".Otherwise we would still be stuck with Freel,and Hendrickson,and why in the world does it always take them forever to make a decision about putting somebody on the DL?This front office could not make a fast decision which stairwell to use if the building was on fire.It's still laughable to me after 12 years,and 2 months of watching Trembley constantly mismanage a pitching staff,57% of the people give him an A.God,where were this people whenever I needed a raise or promotion.Working for O'Malley?Nice game by Rich Hill,let's hope it continues ,especially since I picked him up on my fantasy team on injued reserve to start the season.Oh,by the way,did anybody notice that Bedard is hurt again.Can this guy ever stay healthy?He's pitched well and has all the tools,but just can' seem to keep the physical aspect together.I heard he wouldn't mind coming back here next year.Just wondering what your thoughts and the readers thoughts would be on that one?

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Pete's reply: Well, I'm just coming up for air after the Preakness, but I would guess it has more to do with staying on course with the young pitchers than Eaton. I think you'll get your wish soon enough.

Pete,
Maybe it's just me but I'm seeing a similarity in the story line here between Luke Scott and the situation with Ryan Freel. Not that Scott is underperforming and doesn't fit with the team, but I have a feeling that he may be dealt soon. Both were placed on the DL and claimed that it was unnecessary and weren't "happy" about it.
I think that it would make sense though. Obviously they want to look at Reimold, Montanez, and still Pie at this point. With a healthy Mora and Wigginton available at DH, it just might be that Scott is the odd man out.
The difference between him and Freel though is that you could probably get something very tangible in return for Scott. His trade value may be at a high right now. He's projected to hit .303 with 27 homers and 80 rbis at this moment. Seeing as he was not much more than a throw in, in the Tejada deal, it all seems to make sense. I think it's the smart move even though I like Luke a lot and the fact that he's a lefty may be missed.
I hope it happens and we get something good in return. And I wish Luke the best if and when. The only other possibility I could foresee as far as keeping him, is to hope he continues to perform this well and then package him down the road in July or August with a Huff or Mora for something really good. (i.e. a stud SS prospect).

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Pete's reply: Don't get carried away. Luke Scott is no malcontent. He's a gamer who wants to stay active and help the team. The difference between him and Freel is that Luke's hitting .305 and producing runs. He didn't want to be the DH but he has embraced the role and wanted to get right back out there.

Scott was the obvious choice for Hill. Not sure I agree about the Eaton assessment though. Eaton has one more start, maybe, before Patton or Berken get called up (I'd call up Arrieta since he is pitching great and "stretched out" after last night's complete game). Too many kid pitchers pitching too well in the minors to put up with Eaton's garbage. He's gone by 6/1, at the latest, unless he turns it around ASAP.

Too bad for Scott. But really was it a delay of a decision on someone else. Pete: If Jones and Scott were healthy, who do you believe would have been moved to make room for Hill?

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Pete's reply: I would think Eaton.

Hi Peter,

I also agree the right call was made with Scott... since they can make it retroactive.. it is better to give a few days to get 100% well vs letting it potentially linger.

That said, you will still face the same decision eventually...

Montanez is 3 years older than Pie... Montanez's Triple Crown season at Bowie last year at age 26... is not more impressive than Pie's AAA production at ages 22 and 23...

Montanez can not back-up CF... Montanez has options.... Montanez heads back to Norfolk.

Reimold plays everyday in LF, Scott starts at DH... Pie has to play 2-3 times a week...

In 2010, if Huff is gone... and they have not traded Scott.... and they think Snyder needs time at AAA.... you could be looking at Reimold/Scott for DH and 1st... with Pie in LF.

It is time to say good-bye to Mr. Adam Eaton.

In 2007, Eaton went 10-10, with a 6.29 era, working 161.2 innings, allowing 192 hits, 30 homers, with 71 walks, and only 97 k's.

In 2008, Eaton went 4-8, with a 5.80 era, working 107 innings, allowing 131 hits, 15 homers, 44 walks, with 57 k's.

Those numbers were in the National League East... everyone understood that going from those numbers to successful in the American League East was not going to happen.

The hope of the Orioles was that the veteran that had came into 2009 with 68 Major League victories, could survive in the rotation for two months and bide time for some of the systems younger starters to further emerge.

Well, it might be earlier than the O's first desired, but Eaton needs to go now.

2009 - 2-4, 7.93 era, 36.1 innings, 48 hits, 7 homers, 16 walks, with 27 k's.
Eaton has an OPS against of .919, and a 0.55 ratio of Grounders to Fly Balls.

Fangraphs has an article up which states Eaton would project as the worst MLB starter if he continued to start the remainder of the year:

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/very-little-fun-from-here-on-out

Rich Hill effectively replaced Hendrickson in the rotation.... and I am excited to see that. Adam Eaton has to be replaced now as well.

The Bench--Let's say "goodbye" to Pea, Wiggington, and a catcher. Let's say "hello" to Nolan, Lou, and Matt, with Andino, it should be a lot better, because it can't get any worse.

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Pete's reply: Norm. Don't underestimate this team. It could get a lot worse.

Hey Luke:

Get over it, shut up, and do what you're asked. Sheesh.

I don't blame Scott for being unhappy. The Orioles are gift wrapping left field for anyone other than Scott and I think he deserves to play out there based on last year's performance. It should have really been a platoon between Scott and Reimold{remember Gary Roenicke and John Lowenstein?} from the gitgo. Reimold earned the shot in Spring training. The Orioles really screwed up by bringing Felix Pie into the mix. He should be the odd man out.

It was great seeing Hill out there. Really looked good. Hope all works out for him.

I would understand his feelings if it were the 30-day or the 60-day DL, but it's only the 15-day, half of which he's already served. He'll be back soon and back in the lineup (probably at the expense of Montanez since he still has an option left).

thanks for showing your displeasure. Luke , the trade deadline isn't that far away. Talk to a realtor.

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Pete's reply: I really don't get this backlash. I want the players to be unhappy about going on the DL. Luke is a great guy and a good teammate. He's not a malcontent in any way.

You and your mullet's opinion sucks.

I am not happy with Luke Scott. I am 'not in agreement' with his attitude. He admits the team is in a bind, he knows he isn't quite ready to play yet expresses he is unhappy and not in agreement with the DL move.

Could players have expressed their selfishness like this 30 years ago and had a major league career? And they weren't even being made millionaires at that time. So I must, Scott needs to man up and grow a set and realize he should just be happy to be on a MLB team. And for crying out loud, try to put the team first and SHUT YOUR MOUTH.

Luke just wants to play, I can't believe so many people are making so much out of nothing..

Pete,
Eaton should be off the roster by the end of May if not earlier. He was oupitched by Baez, Bass and Waters in spring training. And has been outpitched by Baez and Bass thus far in the regular season.

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Pete's reply: Can't argue, but don't think Baez is relevant. He's found his role.

You fans are too hard on this organization... Yes I know we haven't won in 11 years, and I know that we have been pretty awful during that time. Yet, during it we didn't have a single GM who realized we needed to rebuild and we had an owner who refused to improve the team through any means. McPhail may not be your favorite person but at least he is trying something different. We have begen rebuilding and anyone who "doesn't see the plan" is just stupid. There is a clear plan, with Weiters waiting in the wings, Reimold coming up now and Tillman, Matsuz and Arrieta coming up in 1 maybe 2 or3 years. We have a very talented lineup, that will only improve when Weiters comes up and we remove Zaun and Moller from it. There is a plan and we do have potential... I am excited for the first time in 11 years and I actaully think, that if we stick to the plan, keeping making savvy moves for young talent we will be able to compete in the AL East by 2010 and beyond... Arrieta just threw a 1 hitter, Tillman is 4-0 and dominating... Matsuz i don't know anything about but he is as talented as anyone so I'm hoping he pans out too...

This is a response to Bart in LA's post:
__________
Does anyone else thinkn it's weird how often the Orioles players use the third person plural when discussing managers or general manager issues.

Scott constantly referred to the decision "they" made. Freel sounded the same.

To me, it reeks of players who care about themselves rather than the team.

I have nothing against Scott and am glad he wants to play, is being candid, etc.

But watch how often Orioles players refer to the people who run the team as "they" and thereby disassociate themselves from the larger team.
_____

Bart I sometimes watch the pregame show on MASN and I too have noticed this but also some coaches even do the same thing especially when they talk about previous jobs with other teams. We need a winning season desperately to end this cloud that looms over the club. People are embarrassed with articles like this coming out constantly:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/05/08/mlb.owners/index.html?eref=T1