O's win: Decision looming
The Orioles put the hammer down on the White Sox today, actually tacking on runs after the White Sox gift-wrapped a handful in the fifth inning. Gregg Zahn's three-run homer in the ninth allowed the O's to head for New York feeing pretty good about themselves in spite if the series loss.
"We showed a lot of patience at the plate, Zahn had a good game...it was a good game to get out of town with,'' said manager Dave Trembley.
Tomorrow night, David Hernandez is expected to be recalled to face Andy Pettitte at the new Yankee Stadium, so the Orioles will have to find a place on the roster for him. There continues to be speculation they'll find a way to get something for Oscar Salazar or Felix Pie, but they may option a pitcher to buy some time.
Comments
Optioning a pitcher is putting off the inevitable. When one of these guys is finally designated for assignment to the minors it's better than an even chance they won't clear waivers. If they want to keep Pie because of his youth, then the club is going to have to bite the bullet and trade Salazar to some club for future considerations and/or cash. A relief pitcher would be nice.
Posted by: Jay Peterson | July 19, 2009 6:03 PM
Pete,
WIth you being from California and all I figured you'd be the BEST source to ask this unrelated question. At 62 years old, Jim Palmer appears to have had Botox treatments or surgery and I was wondering if he and Nancy Pelosi may have the same care provider? Trying to keep you laughing!
Posted by: Keith Rowe | July 19, 2009 6:08 PM
Zahn??? Who?
Posted by: King Duane | July 19, 2009 6:13 PM
my suggestion if they want to keep pie and salazar around release biaz. he does not have much value in a trade. it was niece to see guthrie have a good outing today.
Posted by: leonard | July 19, 2009 6:15 PM
Leonard, Baez actually has very good trade value. He had a very good first half, although he's been a bit off since the Phillies game. My choice would be to move Pie to another team, but if we can't pull any players in a trade for him or Salazar, I'd feel most comfortable optioning Pie.
Posted by: Michael K. | July 19, 2009 6:20 PM
Do I know a Zahn?
Posted by: ryan | July 19, 2009 6:23 PM
Why keep Pie around if Trembley is going to continue to use him the way he has which is to say he almost never plays. If he is truely the fourth outfielder, then he should be rotating in and out of the lineup on a continual basis to keep him fresh or at least to make him think he has something to stay ready for. Otherwise you are wasting a young position player.
Posted by: Donald | July 19, 2009 6:26 PM
Pete they just traded salazar. to SD.You know pete the only way that Pie can get better is to play regularly and that is never going to happen with the outfield we have. Why do you just keep Pie on the team because Andy doesn't want to be wrong about him. If they need a center fielder Joey gaithright is a very good replacement the move makes no sense pete. Pie is not going to get any better on the this team. It's a joke.
Posted by: blancione | July 19, 2009 6:42 PM
Salazar was just traded to the Padres... I guess there is your decision
Posted by: Frank | July 19, 2009 6:43 PM
ESPN says its Cla Meredith for Salazar. I think we got screwed a bit on that one.
Posted by: Chuck in Hawaii | July 19, 2009 7:31 PM
mlb.com also says it's Meredith
Posted by: dave taylor | July 19, 2009 7:57 PM
Meredith came up through the Red Sox system.......so he must be good. My guess is he gets sent to Norfolk. Is he better than Victor Zambrano or Julio Manon?
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Pete's reply: He's not going down. He's coming in and somebody from the bullpen is going out, probably Mickolio.
Posted by: Butch | July 19, 2009 8:10 PM
peter wow what a surprise to read that the orioles traded salazar this afternoon for a relief pitcher. i see that the orioles have some breathing room with kam m and albers also with merideth if they need to send pitcher to norfolk
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Pete's reply: Not a surprise, really, since they had to move him or Pie, but I guess fans should be glad they got somebody.
Posted by: leonard | July 19, 2009 8:47 PM
Well, that answers that question. Relief pitcher. Could of been worse. Always use another arm in the pen. It's a long season.
Posted by: Jay Peterson | July 19, 2009 8:55 PM
Perhaps a decent trade. Who know's. But I believe we should be looking to next year.
I would have given Mora his outright release. No trade clause. Not going to be here next year period. Salazar could have been a contributor off the bench for next 3 or 4 years and a very good guy. Mora is not going to light it up this second half. Than we put Huff at third and make a decision. Luke at first and make a decision. But lets keep the 3 homer corner infielder at 37/38 years of age.
Posted by: Ted | July 19, 2009 9:09 PM
Merideth averages 57 game appearances per "partial" season, a winning record and practically the best ERA in our bullpen sounds like a very nice addition. i will miss Oscar tho. wish him luck
Posted by: gman | July 19, 2009 9:29 PM
I like some pie. A team needs a backup CF, MM, and C, and who knows if/when Adam Jones might run into a wall? Who plays CF then? Jeff Fiorentino?
Itzuris got hurt and Andino played fine, otherwise he would have rid the pine. Pie's time will come. Defensive replacement for Reimold, I'd rather see Pie spot start as much as Wigginton.
Which is not much for either.
Posted by: shrimptrawler | July 19, 2009 9:32 PM