Pete

You forgot Trembley and the O's looking ridicules last night

Peter,

Don't you think the O's would have been better off keeping him until the end of the season and getting a conditional draft pick? One that could arguably be better than a sub-par Single-A Reliever?

Danny - the only way the Orioles would get the draft pick would be if they offered Huff arbitration and he declined. At this point it's a strong likelihood that if he were offered arbitration he would accept, and the Orioles would have had him for next year for $8-10 million. It's too soon to write off a player one year after being drafted in the fourth round as Jacobson was last year. Granted, he may be no Mariano Rivera, but he is considered as someone that might make the majors sometime in the future as a middle of the bullpen guy.

Pete,
Do you think Mora, Pie and Wigginton were put thru waviers, too?

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Pete's reply: Pretty sure Mora got through. Don't know about the others.

the trade just tells us that the orioles were not planning to pay or risk paying Huff $8M for next year, which makes sense.

Since we are being honest pete if the orioles bring back dave t next year i promise to give up my 4 season tickets and never go to another oriole game. I couldn't stand to see him again being a martyr.That is my promise.

Some athlets just don't know when to retire. Favre's situation reminds me of Willie Mays staggering around and falling in centerfield for the Mets at the end...Or Joe Frazier beaten up mercilessly in his final fights, or even my hero Johhny Unitas being pummeled while trying to QB for the Chargers at 40 years old.
Favre is going to end up making a fool of himself.

Strasburg and his idiot agent could have gotten the same deal months ago. Maybe the kid wanted to play video games this summer rather than baseball.

I agree with the Huff move but I think the Orioles should have waited until Septemeber when the pennant races were in full swing and gotten more value. Macphail is accelerating the blow up now that the season is officially a total loss.

blancione,

I think I said it before, but I'd honestly take Trembley over you and your self-righteous complaining. Please take the off-season to get over yourself whether Trembley stays or goes. If he goes, the unfortunate people with season tickets around you would still probably appreciate not hearing what must be mind numbing criticism nonstop for 3 hours while they try to enjoy themselves.

I used to just hope Trembley would get to stay because it'd be pretty messed up to fire a guy based on what he was given to work with. I thought he deserved one year where he had the tools to at least get out of the cellar. Now though, I just assume he stays so some of you can just buy a Nats hat and be done with it. I hope you're men of your word.

Gill jr

Pete's reply: Gil andy isn't accelerating the blow up we weren't expected to be very competitive this year anyway. That is the boiler plate response that he gives to everybody so i just thought i would beat him to the punch.

15 million for a guy that has not even stepped on a MLB field, in a bad economy.

Favre never would have had shoulder work if he was not going to come back. Packer fans have another reason to be sick to their stomach's especially if he goes back to Green Bay and beats them at Lambeau field.

Losing Huff does not bother me, I am happy for him and Sherrill, they are with teams that are competing. The one that still bothers me is Sherrill. Huff does not put the team over the top for the remaining 44 games. Pete: If they go 14-30 that gets them to 100 losses. I thought that would be impossible two weeks ago, but now I wonder.

Don't you mean "Aerosmith" or are you referencing the book that the music group took their name from and mispelled to be funny?

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Pete's reply: Sorry, I corrected it. I can't be expected to know the names of the groups that are before my time.

blancione,

I do love your regular offerings to this blog. But I wonder if you might be more happy giving up your expression of fan-dom and taking up something else. Say, fishing. Or crashing town hall meetings on healthcare or something less stressful.

Just a thought.

Sorry blancione. I forgot to put my name in. I'd like to take credit for my anger-management counseling.

Gil Jr...

Cant make any trades after the end of August (regardless of waiver status), so there want much time left to maximize the return for Huff. I'm just happy they got something and are ready to explore various options for the 1B spot going into next season.

Don't worry blancione will be gone once Ravens season starts...someone has to call for Ozzie to be fired. Then when the Terps start basketball you will see him on the Terps blog calling for Gary to be fired. So O's fans wont have to worry about him for much longer!

Anonymous....keeping your logic in a natural progression, that would be Debbie Yow being fired, not Gary. :)

Now that Huff has joined them how soon before the Tigers stop running out grounders, walk back to the dugout on pop- ups that are still in play, or swing & miss on obvious take situations thus falling out of playoff contention? I give 'em two weeks. Tops.

Pete, you "counterintuitively" (if that's a word) on Aug 2 predicted that the O's have hit bottom and predicted that things would get better. Since then they are 4-14 and have been outscored 84-64. Any more predictions?
Is there anything we should look for the rest of the year to make us feel better (or less worse) about next year? They aren't going to fire the entire coaching staff between now and the end of the year. They're not going to sign a proven, winning starting pitcher and they are not going to sign a power hitting corner infielder. And Felix Pie is not going to learn how to field his position. So what should we expect?

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Pete's reply: Unfortunately, I think 4-14 was better.

The "This Is Birdland" sign heading into the harbor has just been changed.
It now reads, "Welcome To Pittsburgh On The Bay".
The following should begin to tidy up their lockers: Melvin Mora, Matt Albers (both here & Norfolk), Dennis Sarfate, Brian Bass & Juan Samuel.

Hopefully all these losses the young pitchers are suffering through are being taken as "good experience" and not messing with their heads. I think that this club needs another year to evaluate the young talent before determining whether or not this team truly is on the right path. I keep getting the feeling that come next spring AM and the FO will be asking fans to be patient with the young club, as they prepare to embark on their first full year together.

Bob F. I doubt that Jim Leyland-Tigers manager would allow guys like Huff to loaf and there are enough veterans on that team that would set him straight. I was in Detroit for a couple of games last weekend. Leyland really seems into the game and isn't afraid to 'discuss' bad calls with the umps and talk to his players immediately after an error.
It wouldn't surprise me if Huff helped the Tigers win a few games; he obviously played poorly for us this year but sometimes a change of scenery helps. He didn't fit into out long range plans anyway so more power to him if he gets to play in the post-season.

Is there a real chance to trade Mora and get a prospect in return?

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Pete's reply: Maybe, but not a real prospect.

Let me try a prediction. Baltimore wins today. Not really much of a fan honestly. Just see some relationships.

I did infact believe that Farve actually meant it this time when he said he just wasn't in shape to perform at a professional level. I think the Vikings will regret it the first few times he heaves one without a clue to where it's going or who will catch it. He was great once, but no longer.
As for Huff, I thought it was the smart move. At least they got something for him, which wasn't going to happen if they had waited, it's not like teams are waiting in line for a .250 hitter who is at best a mediocre fielder. I thought last year's season was going to be a break out one for him, instead it was apparently just a fluke.

Mora has a no trade clause. He would have to waive it for us to trade him.

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Pete's reply: He'll waive it. Trust me.

Trade Mora and we will definitely see 100 losses - that guy saves a couple runs per week with his glove - No way Wigginton would, unless all the balls are hit right to him.

are you guys,more upset over continuously,poor,play and losing seasons or just blowing off fan frustration? everybody,knew, this was another down year-do 90 or 100 loses, really matter?
stay away, until a competitive club is fielded. the less revenue the sooner; the message is received and acted on!

Trading Huff for a single A guy, ridiculous. Can things get any more outlandish?

What'll happen next? Will the manager intentionally walk a guy to bring up a HOF hitter with 2 guys on base?

Oh, wait! He already did!

Honestly, sometimes I think we could trade the entire Orioles roster for the Yankees entire roster and enough cash to make up the difference in payroll and some people would still think we got a bad deal.

Peter,

Any comments on the Jets kicking the Ravens butt next Monday? :-)

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Pete's reply: I'll wait and laugh last.

This is yet another one of Peter Angelos' cost-cutting moves. However, they got nothing in return - a minor league pitcher who likely will never see the big leagues except at spring training.

A lot of people on this forum are declaring McPhail as a genius. I really don't think he had much to do with this deal. When the Orioles are sitting in first place at the end of September, I'll declare him a genius.

I'm in favor of the Huff trade. We're not going to be substantially better next year. Andy M has done a tremendous job in rebuilding the O's since he's come on board.

Realistically, I see the O's being a playoff contender in 2012.

Pete,

Do me a favor I accidently typed in my e-mail address on the previous posting... Can u kindly remove it?

Say what you want about Scott Boras but he is the only agent who can stare you down until there are 77 seconds left on the meter, and make you feel like a winner after you agree to pay 50% higher than the previous signing record. (Woohoo, we didn't agree to $50M or $20M.)

Maybe Strasburg will be another Mark Prior; maybe he'll be another Tom Seaver. The Gnats may have "won" if he turns out to be the latter but let's not go overboard because everyone "knew" Strasburg wasn't going to leave $15.1M on the table. If everyone "knew," why was everyone wringing their hands wondering what would happen next as Midnight approached?

As for Huff, I don't really care that much what the O's got for him. It took more than a year too long to dump him.

Favre certainly has a HOF resume, but I wonder if anyone besides Lee jeans company executives will show up to listen to him blather away whenever he takes the podium. He dumped on Packer fans by the thousands, and stole Jet money shamelessly.

Viking fans already hate him for MINN losses he caused over the years. What's a few more?

What are you eating for dinner Pete?

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Pete's reply: Wish I knew.

Someone said,

Realistically, I see the O's being a playoff contender in 2012.

By this time next year, we're going to witness revisionist history as people "reassess" the rebuilding process. Look for more pragmatic predictions, such as

Realistically, I see the O's being a playoff contender in 2015.

Steve,

You’re an idiot. Have you looked at the standings? Baltimore Fans have no idea what a good deal is anymore! We have become sheep and sickos that enjoy watching the Orioles for the whole epic downfall element for entertainment value! The Orioles have become one of the most irrelevant sports franchises ever! The only thing I give credit to the Orioles is for keeping management from beating each other up like they do in Oakland. Angelos is an evil greedy penny pincher but he doesn’t drive the staff to fight each other Angelos just lets them be losers…WAIT maybe we are worse than Oakland…

I saw a movie about people that are obsessed with car crashes the other day and it reminded me of myself and Oriole fans…

MR. LOW EXPECTATIONS (AM) strikes again. First he gives away his closer for nothing and now gives up his clean-up hitter for nothing. Gee, I wonder (ha, ha) how soon it will be before AM predicts another bad year in 2011 since he has to find a closer and a power hitting first baseman. What a phoney he is. No wonder he got run out of Chicago. Here's a sentiment you don't often see around these blogs: I FEEL SORRY FOR PETER ANGELOS for having to put up with MR. LOW EXPECTATIONS.

And let's assume that this rebuilding process succeeds and several of these young players transform into future Hall of Famers.

Does anyone with a sane mind think that Angelos is going to pay these guys what they're worth? NO Once they reach this point they'll probably end up on a Red Sox or Yankees roster.

The Orioles will never contend as long as Angelos owns the team. He compromises the good of the team at every turn.

The Orioles will never contend as long as Angelos owns the team. He compromises the good of the team at every turn.

TED, I agree with you totally and so do a majority of other Orioles fans.

Angelos has raped this franchise and it's past tragic.

MarkinVA

Quick bit of advice.. If you rip the ravens on a Baltimore Sun blog don’t use your email address hahaha right now you’re probably getting subscribed to massive amounts of gay porn and other terrible things lol

SI does not give just anybody the worst owner of the year award. If you believe anything coming from the Orioles you are a sucker. Angelos is a business man first and baseball owner like 6th or 7th or well its not really an interest of his he just likes to play around and watch the commoners react for his own entertainment. Don’t get caught up in the hope train wait until you see the team go at least 500. This organization will take advantage of you.

Peter - nice column on Huff and the Orioles' future plans, but you did a great disservice to all Baltimore fans by even floating the name Garret Atkins. Please no!!!

I would trade one of the frontline pitching prospects for Adrian Gonzalez in a heartbeat.

One thing to keep in mind about Huff is that by trading him now, they've actually made it easier to re-sign him in the off-season. Obviously if Detroit offers him arbitration and he accepts then he won't be on the market. But if he does become a free agent, then the O's can negotiate with him without having to worry about being stuck with an unfavorable arbitration ruling. Given that there is no one apparently ready to take over 1B next year, they might just try to sign him again for around the same $8 million that he made this year, or even less if he can't get a better offer elsewhere.

Not the topic of this column, but the 'Fire Trembley' crowd better avoid FoxSports' Web site. Now appearing is a column by former Sun writer Ken Rosenthal entitled 'Save Dave' that says our current manager shouldn't be replaced -- pending the youngsters not quitting on him during the final six weeks.

Addition by Subtraction = Aubrey Huff

Very happy they traded him, not so much because of the player they got, but because it indicates he's not in the plans for next year.

PROBLEM: The Orioles suck

SOLUTION: If you want to win in business or on the field you have to have great people. So lets start with management. Andy McPhail....pretty good resume. Not bad, but not great. Certainly better then the previous regime. So lets keep him and give him some more time to realize his vision.
Manager and coaching staff: Its not a question of weather or not you like Dave Trembley, but is he the best we can get. Is he the man to motivate, teach, inspire, and instill passion. No, i dont think so. I would make finding a proven manager and coaching staff a priority.
Next problem: pitching. We have a bunch of young kids and no one to tudor them. How about John Smoltz or Greg Maddox as a pitching tudor.We need to go out and sign a real #1.....maybe John Lackey.....he will be on the market at the end of the season.
The infield: Huff and Mora are not the answer........we have to invest in a couple of free agents that are pros....have a good work ethic and know how to win.
Next years team will have a bunch of kids who got a real taste of what this league is all about in 2009. Now the next step is add some experience to the mix. Players that have passion and can show the way.
We have to realize that we are going to lose 100 games this year. Success next year would be a 500 record. I think very few people realize that since 1983 after they won the World Series, the Orioles have only been ABOVE .500 7 times in 26 seasons.
So my plan is to get us back to mediocrity. I dont think it is reasonable to think that the O's can go from worse to first.......but i do think that becoming a .500 team is doable for next season.
To repeat the recipe:
- new and improved manager and coaching staff.

- 2 free agent pitchers that can mentor the kids.

- replacements for Huff, and Mora.

COLUMBIA MIKE You're a GENIUS!!! YOU are hired!!!

Come by my office to smoke a cigar (pick some up on the way,..i errr... left my wallet at home)