Hi Peter,
I live in Chicago and am coming into town for the game on Wednesday night against the Mets, which Uehara is scheduled to start. Do you think Wieters or Zaun will catch that game? (since the rule is that Zaun catches Uehara.)

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Pete's reply: I believe Wieters will catch that game, but won't know until tomorrow.

Pete,

ESPN said today the O's are making more of an effort to pick up that 16 yr old SS Sano. You know anything more about it? That move could totally stabilize the SS position and bring in a potential superstar. Word on the street is that Sano is as good as the Crab Pretzel at the yards.

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Pete's reply: We've been reporting on that for days and it looks like the O's will make a legitimate run at the kid, but that's not going to be a simple process.

You are also forgetting the bullpen is taking off another day after Bergy's CG. 2 days off for Jones will also let him back in the grrove. I think he has been pressing a little. An off day for the entire day will also help refresh them all some.
After getting blown out by the Spankees, there's nothing Santana would want is get back out there and beat the next team he faces. Thank goodness he is missing the Orioles.

Hey Pete,
I know its early but what are your thoughts on the team picking up Mora's option for next year? I highly doubt he will have any trade value this year unless he really heats up. Also do you have an idea who the potential free agent third basemen will be? Thanks

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Pete's reply: I think they almost have to bring him back if he has a decent year, because no one inside the organization will be ready to take his place next year.

Hate to be pessimistic but it was mostly the backups who did the major damage yesterday. The people who need to hit consistently for this team to at least win as many as it loses namely Mora, Markakis, Huff, even Jones did not contribute to this win yet tomorrow night back we go back with the same lineup that has mostly did nothing for a month.

Just wanted to note to all the Bergy fans out there that he is one of SI's fantasy "studs" from last week. Under photos on their site.

And, relating to your post, Mr. Johan is one of the "duds."

I'm not too worried about the day off. If the latest offensive explosion is just a fluke that goes away because of a day off then we might as well know it now. If it really does signal a team that is "turning the corner" and starting to play up to a level comenserate with the teams talent, then the day off won't hurt them.
This current version of the team switches character more often than Dr. Jekyl. Let's hope they have settled down and decided to finish the season as the "good Orioles."

I seem to recall that Adam Jones has hit his leg before. Maybe it's time for him to start using a shin guard.

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Pete's reply: Pretty sure that's in the cards.

It's a bit early to say wether or not the O's pick up Mora's option.Its inevitable the Orioles will be sellers leading up to the deadline. Perhaps Huff, Scott, Sherill, or Baez bring back a legitiment ML ready prospect at the third base position. I would expect Huff is most likely to bring at least one legitiment prospect back to the organization.Though that scenario leaves us short a first baseman as well.

I still think Mora is going to put up good #s by before the season ends, but one thing that seems to really go unnoticed, is how good he has been at 3B. He has gotten better with the glove every season since becoming the full time 3B.

Pete, I thought Hendrickson would be very good in the pen which of course has not happened, but how many more contracts can the O's eat? Is he safe or is he gone if he gets lit up some more?

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Pete's reply: That contract isn't big enough to offer him much protection. If they need the spot, I don't think they'll hesitate.

I think it's time for the O's to say goodbye to Melvin, in light of his bloated option(8 mill?) and the fact that his offensive numbers have severely declined. Surely we can find a 3B in the free agent pool for far less and capable of producing Mora's pace of 10 HR/50 RB(in the event that no one in the minors is ready).
Yes, he had a decent year in '08 but nothing suggests that he is going to come close to duplicating it again and we can easily find better ways to spend 8 mill.

The Indians could use more relief pitching . Perhaps they could unload MH to them for a low level prospect.

Pete:

Is anyone in the O's organization even a tad concerned that Adam Jones is being handled easily these days with sliders that break low and away. I noticed this about three weeks ago. And it seems clear that's the way he will be pitched until he shows he can hit (or lay off) those pitches. I know he is young and still learning. But the big leagues quickly can find holes in a player. I just hope Terry Crowley can fix this soon. Jones s looking very confused and unsure of himself. The home run the other day was off his favorite down the middle fast ball .. he got no more of those.