Orioles: Semi-educated roster speculation
Haven't heard anything about Cesar Izturis's status after undergoing an appendectomy last night. We all assumed that he would go on the disabled list -- and he probably will -- but it's possible the Orioles may gut out the final two games in Oakland without him and make the decision when the team returns to Baltimore after tomorrow's series finale.
If the surgery was laproscopic, he could be up and around pretty quick and might not need 15 days to get back in action. The club is comfortable with Robert Andino at short, and Ty Wigginton can go out there in an emergency. Still, I can't imagine Dave Trembley is too thrilled playing with a short roster when he's already got a thin bench.
I can tell you this. The decision would have been easier if infield prospect Justin Turner had not come up with a sore wrist this week. The club probably would have called him up yesterday to give Dave another bat on the bench. He's batting .301 in 52 games at Norfolk and made a great impression in spring training. The other Triple-A options are light-hitting Carlos Rojas and journeyman Jolbert Cabrera.
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Comments
Pete, to clarify why I said about the O's calling up Oscar which they did, is almost in my opinion like what they did when they called up Nolan except Nolan is younger and much more of a prospect. Wiggy was signed to 2 yrs/6 mil (I think?) so in the baseball world that's not a huge contract at all so he is no lock to get the ABs as the back up to Huff, Mora and Scott. I think if Oscar can come up and hit than I think he will unseat Wiggy.
I agree with you that it doesn't make much sense to have Oscar sit behind those guys instead of playing regularly, but that's what I was trying to get at with Pie. I like Felix and wish that he would get some more time. Do I want him to get all of Nolan's ABs? No, but he should be able to get some playing time spelling Nick and Adam. I just don't see how having him on the team because they are afraid of losing him is helpful to him or benefits the O's in evaluating Felix if he doesn't play. Like you said about Oscar sitting the pine will not benefit him, how is it different with Pie? I get we don't want him scooped up, but how will they get sense of what he can do, if he doesn't play? I know he is the back up OFer, but if that truly will be his only role with 4 ABs a week (if that), I would rather see the O's add someone with some pop for the bench or a guy like Gaithright who can be used a lot for pinch running which is something that is killing the O's right now.
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Pete's reply: Your instincts on Oscar were right on. Mine sure weren't.
Posted by: Birdland Todd | June 6, 2009 4:18 PM
Since Salazar is 30 and not part of the O's future, will they swap him with Turner once Turner becomes healthy?
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Pete's reply: My opinion? I don't think so. I think Turner just missed this opportunity.
Posted by: Jeffrey | June 6, 2009 5:12 PM
Hope it is Cabrera who can play anywhere. I keep hearing Salazar, he only plays the corner IF and OF and DH. We got enough of them on the roster. We really need someone who can play SS and 2B.
Posted by: Dave | June 6, 2009 6:27 PM
Hey Pete,
I was watching a Game on ESPN the other day. They were discussing Manny Ramirez and his suspension. Apparently you can play in the minors before your suspension is up.
My question is: If they can do that why don't guys with 6+ game suspensions just go play in the minors until the suspension is up?
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Pete's reply: I don't know if that is specific to the steroid suspensions or applies to all.
Posted by: SMBaublitz | June 6, 2009 7:20 PM
Is Nolan Reimhold in the dog house for some reason? What gives? I understand Luke Scott playing but Reimhold is a better bat than Pie and Wiggington, who I think will go down as one of the worse signings in Orioles' history.
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Pete's reply: I don't think Reimold is in the doghouse. I just think Dave is looking for a combination that snaps them out of this slump.
Posted by: Julie | June 6, 2009 8:09 PM
Is Nolan Reimold in the dog house for some reason? What gives? I understand Luke Scott playing but Reimhold is a better bat than Pie and Wiggington, who I think will go down as one of the worse signings in Orioles' history.
Posted by: Julie | June 6, 2009 8:10 PM
Pete,
Please have somebody at the Sun check your polling data. 94% of the responses were not in favor of releasing Walker? Trembley gets a 'A' for the season? It's like the Planet of the Apes. Everything is turned around.
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Pete's reply: I'll ask around. It's possible somebody's messing with it.
Posted by: Dave | June 6, 2009 8:24 PM
it's looking like whoever had 1 win-5 losses in the pool wins 2 tickets to the Nats series...
Posted by: jim66 | June 6, 2009 9:59 PM
i guess it took the O's pitching staff to make the worst hitting team in the majors into a formidable offensive machine.
Pathetic yes.Unexpected no.
Post game lament: fill in the name here was not hitting his spots. BlahBlahBlah.
These lopsided losses do ease the sting of losing Itzuris for a few weeks.
Knowing Andino could be held solely responsible for the terrible play might have been too much for the kid to bear.
Posted by: jim66 | June 6, 2009 10:34 PM