My ears perked up during last night's broadcast about "short-term pain."
I think AM is building for 2011 and we're being strung along. It's kinda like Muammar Qhadaffi (sp) and his line in the sand before we bombed Tripoli 20 years ago.
The new line is 2011 fans. We will shoot for .500 next year with our young core of players. The forecast is more pain.

Watching the game tonight it the broadcasters were discussing what the O's will be chasing this offseason. A RH power Bat and an Ace starter. Pretty much the same as last year. Except no Teixeira in the mix now.

Looking over the known current Free Agent market not too many names pop out. A couple of ex-orioles (Tejada & Bedard), a few coming off injuries (Glaus, Beltre, Delgado and Hudson) and three I doubt would consider the O's (Lackey, Bay & Holliday).

Doesn't look good. I still wish we tried harder on Teixeira and Burnett.

gmac - .500 ball next year would be about a 12 game improvement or so over where they've been lately. In fact, if this is the 12th consecutive losing season, then I'd say that would be better than anything in oh, say, the past dozen years. So I don't know what you are complaining about. No, the ultimate goal is not to be content with .500 ball, but getting there would be a huge step in the right direction.

Josh Beckett can make ya look funny!

SMBaublitz,
I am glad you brought that up. The Orioles could have added 2 guys with ties to Maryland and that played positions we are dying for but there was no chance they wanted to get involved with whats going on here. Tex and AJ are happy winning games in NY. I am watching this O’s vs Sox game and there are more sox fans in attendance cheering them on its pathetic both guys wanted to play for a solid major league team and would have been embarrassed here. AM has to sign second rate players because like we saw last off season nobody reliable will come here. There have been a few exceptions like Miggy but he couldn’t handle it and bailed.
The only way we are going to sign anybody from this off seasons weaker than normal FA class is to give them some major cash and even if they do take the money the player’s heart wont be here. Terrible situation I don’t think it will improve until the O’s win some games.

Alright Beckett is out so it's time for another historic comeback! Come on, let's give the 10,000 O's fans of the 40,000+ in attendance tonight something to cheer about!

Pete--Why don't the Birds simply give T-Bone and Samuel the day off tomorrow? Might be refreshing to watch the base running sans a first and third base coach.

I would buy season tickets if they finish .500 next year.

Next year is key. You can accidentally go .500 once every 5 years. They have to go .500 next year. if not, it is.500 by 2011, then a playoff by 2012??? I'll be 32 by then. .500 puts them in actual contention by 2011. Next year they learn how to be winners.

Whatever, as long as the Ravens win a SB by then.

Pete,
I can't agree with your premise that trading Sherrill means the plans to be a competitive team are pushed back.
Sherrill was an average closer really more suited to the role he has with the dodgers.
This is simply selling "high".....

Sad. It's like Groundhog Day since the All-Star Break. The Orioles NEVER get a hit with runners in scoring position late. It's so consistent, there's not even any suspense anymore. I like Trembley but these guys aren't playing for him and he seems incapable of reaching them. The whole team should be shaken hard by the lapels and warned that they are frustating the hell out of their fans. Can't they at least find a New Way to lose?

Losing breeds a losing attitude, even among fans. It is unacceptable to be happy with a .500 record next year. O's fans are so accustomed to supporting a losing team that they are almost as afraid to taste victory as the entire O's organization is. I have seen it time and again on these posts. We get it, this year is a rebuilding year. But let's not give up on next year as well. I hope they don't do that, but if you read between the lines of what is being said by the team's front office, 2010 will be another losing season. Perhaps not literally, but if you're not telling me you're playing to have a winning season, I'm assuming you won't be disappointed if you lose. Basically, when you lose, it's OK, because you didn't promise you were going to win.

It's one thing to be realistic and it's another thing to be a loser. Do I expect the O's to go the World Series next year. No. However let's make it a goal to at least make the postseason. You start engraving that attitude into every player's brain, and you'd be surprised of the results. If they set their goals low, the outcome will be disappointing.

You hear people say that we can't outspend the Yankees or the Redsox. Well you don't have to, because as we're being told, we have pitching. All we have to do is buy hitting. And second, yes we can financially compete with the Yankees and the Redsox. Angelos definitely has the money to do so, but does he have the will?

Pathetic game to read about. It's the jr. varsity playing the varsity. I am married to a New England gal whose son covers the Pats for the Boston Globe. What a difference in sports towns. With 4 major league teams, all of whom are winners, it's exciting to open the Globe everyday. I still follow the O's and Ravens but I really believe we have one major league team and one AAA team. But the crabs sure are good! And we are #1 in homicides. I sure hope City beat Poly this year.

Let by gones be by gones - I say Tehada would look mighty good at third compared to mora, Mora!! And doesn't Seattle have a slugging first baseman who is gonna be a free agent? I do believe we ARE going to finally have the pitching!!!!!!

The O's are third in avg and 12th or so in runs scored. That's all you need to know. And it has nothing to do with DT. Weiters and Reimold hitting into those double plays was nearly predictable. Beckett knows what he's doing.

Hernandez: Kranitz said before the game he would need to change speeds. He'll be a better pitcher when he learns to do that. Does he have a changeup? Kudos for pitching out of trouble all night, but 106 pitchers in just over 4 innings not so good.

It'll be great to see Matusz. Any young guy in the rotation with more than 2 pitches will be a treat to watch.
Actually might keep a hitter guessing and off balance.

This team has around 20 mm bucks rolling off the payroll next year. The free agent class does not look helpful. Maybe they can trade their way to a few better players.

On the DP not turned. not that it mattered, but how in the world does Ortiz beat out a most probable DP grounder hit right at Roberts?

I pretty much got nothing(not that it mattered) : Baez walking Varitek, WP him to second, and taking nine pitches to walk Jed Lowrie, the 9th place hitter. As good as he was early, he's that bad now. Maybe the magic in that new ligament has worn off.

Pete,

I've believed for some time that 2011 has always been the target. While some of our young starting pitching the Reimhold arrived ahead of schedule, I don't believe AM or PA are prepared to be competitive next year despite what the ever optimistic manager may say. We will need a 3B, and 1B with power as well as a front of the rotation starter. Trading Sherrill impacts this very little, because a rotation with 3 or 4 guys with less than 1 yr of MLB service is NOT going to be competitive in the AL East. Presuming that Guthrie, Bergesen, Hernandez, Matuzs and even John Lackey, 3rd place in the East would be a big accomplishment.

And that doesn't answer 1B & 3B! The free agents out there aren't that hot so Huff actually looks like he will be a keeper, leaving us to replace just Mora and again not much available.

So for 2010 expect a better but not a great year as the youngsters develop and we continue to search for better corner infielders! Any thoughts of moving Pie back to SS of Montanez to 3B?

"The Orioles could have added 2 guys with ties to Maryland and that played positions we are dying for but there was no chance they wanted to get involved with whats going on here. Tex and AJ are happy winning games in NY."
-Tom | August 1, 2009 9:27 PM

I didn't know you won by dropping three straight to the White Sox and losing 14-4 on national TV. ESPN is going to have a helluva time making that look good on Baseball Tonight (although they will surely try.) Maybe the Orioles should do more drugs. That's apparently what won the Roid Sox their first two Series titles since Abner Doubleday finalized the rules. Big Sloppy on 'roids? I thought he was all for kicking the bums out!

Tejada was nuts to come here when our best young talent was Jay Gibbons and Sidney Ponson. Nolan Reimold ain't Jay Gibbons. And I don't see Brad Bergeson punching any Aruban judges anytime soon.

PS - God bless you DMace. Thanks for coming back.

Pete, I just read your article and thought you made some good points. About the loss of Sherrill, I'm not sure it hurts all that much because I don't think Johnson is going to get all that many opportunities down the stretch of the season to make it much of an issue and when he does he should do okay.

How Ray bounces back is big, I think, because the O's needs to figure out how to reconfigure the bullpen.

The O's have some decent relievers, but some arms, such as Hendrickson's, may be getting fatigued and that could be a big problem over the next two months.

Despite many encouraging signs from the young starters, due to inexperience the rotation is probably going to be in such disarray that the bullpen could be pummelled from here on out. Consider the following sobering facts:

Bergy being out is a concern, because as good as Matusz is, you still must wonder how many innings he can be counted on to go in his first few starts. Ditto Tillman, as he gets his feet wet.

Hernandez is good, but inconsistent right now, so he can't be counted on for six or seven innings every time out. Berken is barely hanging on to his spot, though his last outing was encouraging.

Then there's the enigma. However bad his season's been, at least Guthrie battles and pushes through some of the rough innings to go fairly deep in games, but a start with five innings or less won't surprise us, either.

I disagree with your readers who call Sherrill just an average closer. Wrong. He's not in the elite category, but he's certainly above average and pitched well enough to have been named to his second All-Star Game, had Maddon chosen to go that route.

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Pete's reply: I think Sherrill was a fine closer, but the real reason I saw it as a push-back on the rebuilding was because the third base prospect may be two years away.

Peter,
Nice article. Certainly a valid and shrewd angle on the implications of a Sherrill trade.

My response to this is who says we need to have each position manned by a longterm answer? Formerly last place contenders who enjoy a rennaissance like, say, the Braves or Indians of the 90s, didn't necessarily have all of their pieces in place when they began to emerge. The Braves had the primary core of pitching in place but it took some time to find Chipper, Javy, and Andruw to anchor the lineups. The Indians had a core of Lofton and Belle, but had to wait for Thome, Manny, and pitching started to come down the pipe. Ideally you want to have quality players at as many positions as possible, all about the same age, read to start competing in the same season. In practice that never happens.

So I don't necessarily think the acquisition of Bell, who is offset by a year or so from from reaching the majors as being something that prevents this team from contending. We already know what the primary need is, starting pitching. On the days when we get a good start vs. good teams, we look just as good. We have enough hitting and defense. In a perfect world, our pitching prospects start to emerge next year, enough to brand the Orioles as a young rising team. By the time prospects like Bell or Johnson start to hit, hopefully the Orioles are doing some damage by then.

In general, I like Andy's approach, who seems to put a premium on perpetually adding to our prospect corps, which I hope does not stop once this team is again in contention.

Well my nightmare comes true...Sox carve up the O's. But, yeah, Beckett would have had his way with any team. But, still, the O's are pathetic. I'm reading that "we're" now shooting for 2011. Don't buy into it. As long as PA (management) does not exhibit any desire to WIN, it will not filter down. Yes, I blame ownership. Another poster rightly mentioned that premier free agents (Texiera) will not sign here if there is no chance of getting to the playoffs. Would you? This team stinks 'cause PA stinks. Com'on, you optimists, get with the program.
P.S. PA doesn't give a bleep...he had 48K in the stands with that pathetic team.
Oh, and yes man DT (all PA's managers have been yes men) didn't fool me with his "arguing" a couple of questionable calls; Dave, the team stinks, you cannot deflect from it. As I said before, individuals have talent, but "TEAM" via PA does not exixt.

Pete, you eluded to it in your article. The orioles have been TWO years away perpetually for 10 years now. The scale keeps sliding, the excuses keep mounting and the losses continue. The baltimore media keeps drinking the orange Koolaid and holds out hope. What else can the media do. We heard it with Sid Thrift, Mike Flanagan and now Andy. The fans deserve better. On the other hand the Sherrill deal is more validation that next year will be no different. Next july we will all hear again that we are TWO years away.

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Pete's reply: The difference, of course, is that the Orioles just said they were two years away for 10 years, but never sustained a long-range plan. Now they could be as little as one year away. Big difference.

Pete, great article, as here is no question that Andy, has improved just bout every area of this organization in the short time that he's been here.

I like George, and I think his age is not important. Look at the good set up men and closers, most are guys in their mid-30's and up. I do trust Andy, when it comes to trades, as even the Oscar for Cla deal, turned into one that looks like a steal, plus his "nothing to lose" trade of Penn for Andino, was very good. I hope these guys from LA, will be good, but a 1B or 3B, is still going to have to come via free agency because I doubt Mora is here next season and I sure as hell, hope Wiggy isn't given a full time job.

I hope the O's don't dump Hendrickson and/or Baez, for very low level prospects or cash consideration. This team doesn't have that many guys left to call up to help the BP so if you are gong to get peanuts for these guys, let them finish out the season without wearing down a young prospect.

Pete;

Liked your article. I think people need to be more realistic about the Os and understand the scope of the job that AM has undertaken. When he came on board in mid 07, they were not much better than an expansion team.

We had Markakis in the OF and little else, Roberts in the infield with a declining Mora and Huff and virtual black holes at catcher and short. How does it get worse than that, other than looking at our pitching staff at the time and a minor league system not close to being ready to provide any help.

I would be willing to bet that there have been no expansion teams in MLB history that have become winners in 3 years. I stand to be corrected, but I think it took Florida 4 years and the Blue Jays 7.

Expecting AM to take a team that was little better than an expansion team and turn it into a winner by 2010 is optimistic to say the least. As frustrated as we all are at 12 years of losing, we need to come to grips with that.

We have more good young talent both on our team and on the verge of coming up than we have had in years. Even if it does not yet show in the win loss column, that is a huge improvement from where we were.

Probably not next year, and maybe not even 2011, but the wins will come if AM keeps going the way he has so far.

Let's blow away all the smoke and look at facts. The O's regular starting lineup compares well with practically any team in baseball. The three outfielders are as good or better than most other teams outfields. The catcher MW is far, far above average as is Brian Roberts at 2nd. The O's shortstop and 1B are at least average and the O's are only below average at 3B. As for pitching, the young arms are probably at least average or above average.

Given the quality of the players, where's the problem? It's obviously in the attitude and expectations. AM has attempted to make himself look good by lowering expectations and constantly talking about the long road ahead. If anyone wonders why the O's lack a consistent focus on winning or lack a killer instinct (as Jim Palmer would say), point the finger at AM.

I strongly believe that motivation is the strongest contributor to success in sports and in practically every other aspect of life. If you're constantly being told by your leader that things are tough and success is unlikely, it will eventually drain you. At that point, you take your pay and don't make waves and go through the motions.

AM is the problem not the solution.

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Pete's reply: Yep, they'd be in the World Series this year if Andy had just told them two years ago that they were good enough to win. The reason you can look at the lineup and say it's adequate is because MacPhail made those big deals. The reason you can look at the pitching and say it's going to be above average is, at least in part, because of MacPhail. It's a process.

ABC123,

I do not understand what you are saying. How do you have success when you are short on talent? It is what it is, a lack of talent, especially when you compare them to the teams that they compete with.

I think they have done a good job with not pressuring these young players with the burden of having to put up wins right now. No one gave false impressions to anyone that the most important thing in 2009 was to win 90 plus games.

I believe that at this level you win by having the key positions filled by players that have the tools. The Orioles have players that have tools but they do not have one ace pitcher on the team that can get them to the top at this point. They do not have a closer and are weak at the corner infield spots.. How do you fix that by motivation? Look at the pitching, compare our staff to the Yankees, Redsox, Bluejays and Rays.

CSB Jack,
I'm complaining that we're always "2 years away" from contending. While i like AM's plan, winning is still a bit out of reach.
I love our young pitchers, Wieters and Reimold but the problem is the "buy the bats" part of the plan. Angelo$ won't spend money and no bats want to come here for the same money unless they're on the downside of their careers. So, in order to grow a good team, it is at least 2012, the provebial line in the sand keeps moving.

cb coach,

Where's the shortage of talent? You don't even attempt to make that argument for the 8 position players.

With regard to a closer, AM just gave ours away so that's no defense of AM. Further, I doubt that many would trade our starters including the young ones straight up for the pitching staffs of the Red Sox, Yanks, Bluejays or Rays. Would you?

You identify the problem perfectly in the second paragraph of your email but you see the problem as a virtue. Lower expectations to avoid false impressions and let's all coast to the bank. Unmotivated, underachievers. Congratulations AM.

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Pete's reply: One more time, ABC, this team is an average offensive team in the AL East. The rest of your argument goes out the window right there. They're underachieving and you're overrating, which is a bad combination.

Free Agent Chone Figgins @ 3rd is hitting over .300, has over 30 stolen bases and 80 runs scored. He's not a power hitter, but put him at the top of the order ahead of Roberts and bump everyone back a slot. Maybe even make a trade w/Nationals and pick up Adam Dunn. Figgins, Roberts, Jones, Markakis, Dunn, Reimold - makes you go hmmmm....

Jeff. I like the idea of picking up Figgins but realistically, what are the chances of him coming to Baltimore? The only free-agents that we seem to sign are the 2nd tier types like Wiggington/Itzuris. Most of the good ones want to play for a winner and that won't be happening in Balt. for at least another 2-3 years.
O's fans should be prepared for another year of Mora manning 3rd and Huff re-upped as well. Personally, I saw the Mora drop off but am surprised with Huff, feeling he would hit 25-30 dingers and knock in 100. Shows how much I know!!

Pete,

Nice article, but I have to disagree with you.

I don't think losing George Sherrill is by no means putting off the O's timetable for contention.

When I think of the word contention, I think of a playoff run. If anyone thinks the O's will be in position for a playoff run next year then they are slightly delusional. Although, a .500 season next year is not too much to ask for.

Simply put, George Sherrill is nothing but a relief pitcher. A relief pitcher does not translate into wins or competitiveness. I highly doubt that having Sherrill around next year would bring the O's more wins.

What will make the O's competitive is the starting pitching. However, I believe next year will be the year when the O's young starters will continue to learn the ropes and develop their arms to be able to throw 200+ innings in a season.

2011 is the earliest we can realistically expect the O's to win (and I mean really win, not just be above .500.) The fact that we got a very promising corner infielder and another pitching prospect is simply "selling high".

By 2011 Sherrill would be a 34 year old lefty specialist at best, and not a long term solution. The O's are in a position to keep a solid core of players for 5-6 years. Sherrill simply does not fit into those plans.

I like Sherrill and I hope he gets a ring with the Dodgers this year, but I also believe he would have no significant effect if he were still on the team.

Pete , we might have some of the pitching pieces lined up to be successful, and i really want to put the word MIGHT in capital letters.But if anybody thinks that any top tier free agents are going to sign with this team they are just kidding themselves.Even if you over pay they still won't come here because they want to play for a winner.While i admit to being excited about the possibility of these pitching prospects all in the major leagues at once this team still has some big holes to fill before they can even beging to be competitive in the BEST DIVISION OF ANY SPORT.

0 percent chance Chone Figgins comes to Baltimore. He’s used to being on a winning team and will only come here if we open the checkbook and pay way above normal to a point he’s probably not even worth it. I hope the O’s front office will prove me wrong but they totally dropped the ball this last offseason by showing us they can only get off brand position players and thrift store pitching at best then way overhype the players to make us think they made shrewd acquisitions. This is why in ways I am hesitant to believe the similarly hyped AAA pitchers management and MASN boasts about and the current long term rebuilding plan.

I watch Cliff Lee pitch the other night in his NL start. Thought to myself, only 32, Cy Young winner, dominating 2nd place SF, pitching his fourth complete game of the year, and, what, the Phils gave up only four prospects for th guy, hmm. He sure woulda looked good in an O's uni. I'da traded at least two of our young pitchers for this guy. Is this the type of free agent MacPhail is talking about?

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Pete's reply: I really don't have a read on who Andy likes as a free agent, but the Orioles can't afford to trap themsleves by giving up pitching prospects for players who are going to become free agents. Whoever they get has to be locked in long-term, so it has to be a free agent.

I feel that a way to help bring the Orioles back to respectability is to spend the money and hire a big time manager like Buck that free agents will want to play for. DT is a minor league coach and essentially that’s the perception of the orioles around the league. Free Agents think that Bmore is a career killer. If management can show that they are willing to get a big time manager that will be allowed to do his job without too much PA drama then it might get the ball rolling. Camden Yards is one of the best ballparks in the game, there is a fair amount of talent on the club and the fans will come back if they see that PA is willing show he will not interfere by bringing in a high ego manager will get the job done. I really think it’s that simple. Last nights game was an embarrassment from what I saw it was about 70% Red Sox nation. Maryland/DC/NOVA have good sports fans and will come back if they have something to look forward to.

As someone said earlier...I do think many of these players do not have the personal drive to push harder & make individual sacrifices to make this team better. Remember Jay Gibbons revelation a few years ago when speaking of the horrible finish by the O's in 05'..."we just packed it in in August"...that culture is still very much alive. The Orioles are soft & more often than not appear to simply go through the motions.
Many say "they're happy here"...why? If you are a competitive, driven to success player, then how could you be happy here. Do you for one minute think Pedroia or Youk would be "happy" or "content' here? I seriously doubt it. When was the last time you saw an Oriole go in hard at 2nd. or dive for a ball or knock a hitter out of the box when the opposition is just sitting & ripping?
There is no sense of urgency because the organization has a prevailing attitude that condones failure as an expected & tolerated outcome. Sorry Dave...say what you will but, these Orioles do not play hard. I realize you can't really say that because getting that to happen is part of your job but if players are not internally driven to push... then a manager has to call them out & I just don't see you doing that.
I can't help but think of the famous line from "Damn Yankees"...You've Gotta Have Heart ...something this group just doesn't show. They have the cleanest uniforms in the business at the end of every game & have about as much hustle as the French army when told to charge.
Not sure who'll do it but, this organization needs to end sending the signals more pain on the way will be tolerated & expected & add the qualifying...but you better bust your sorry asses to the last game on the schedule...and beyond. Give me just one Pedroia type player on this team to kickstart the culture of winning over this current contentment of being pathetic wimps that are considered the "break on the schedule" as Shilling stated a few years back.
You better find the tough, no-nonsense players Andy or the few players that do play hard...Reimold, Reimold & Reimold may soon be converted by the slugs & parasites of this current crew.

This Orioles team has good things going for it but Peter Angelos has made it the most polarizing in all of baseball. Maybe Angelos needs to just come out be humble and say he is sorry about the past. Then say the he wants the team to be a winner and will make sure the actions are being taken. I think a lot of Maryland sports fans are just upset over the arrogance and ignorance this team has shown over the last decade. I point this out because I was at the game last night and it looked like Fenway. Something has to be done to get the fans back I think even if the team keeps losing if Angelos would just tackle the elephant in the room people might be more inclined to come see even a losing team. He’s got to try to stop this hatred for the team and him.

Frustrating as it is to watch (sometimes the veterans don't seem to be holding up there end), the core is here. Weiters, Reimold, jones, markakis are just beginning. The Pitching is coming around. The double plays last night were tough breaks, but learning times for both Weiters and Reimold against one of the best pitchers in the game. Next year and in 2011 you should expect better results out of them in those type situation (2 on and no outs). Beckett made them look like rookies which is what they are right now.
As far as veterans, other then one stretch Luke Scott has not been impressive. Maybe we missed on the sell high thought with him.

The hatred of Angelos has created a whole subculture around not only Baltimore but around the United States. Major sports publications rip him on a daily basis which brings discredit to an already troubled organization. Go on the internet or facebook, myspace twitter etc and there are legions of Angelos hate groups. This is a team wide issue they need to fix somehow. The PR battle is really connected to the team’s current rebuilding plan.

Another thought for all the Andy bashers out there. Everyone keeps track of the Bedard and Tejada aquired players..but how about Tub-O-Lard Hernandez? We received Freel, Turner and Waring for him. Turner is hitting well above .300 at Norfolk as is Joey Gathright, the guy we got for Freel. Waring is leading Frederick in HR and RBI, hitting .275 and has twice as many homers and the second highest Key. Good progress IMO, do we really miss Ramon? BTW, Snyder has started to hit at Norfolk, a little adjustment time was needed, so that means a 1st baseman and 2nd baseman as well as 2 spare OF'ers, (Florentino is hiting .330) are down at Norfolk with the possibility of helping the O's in some way late this yr or next. Keep it up Andy.

I agree with abc123 that we have a lot of talent, but lack of winning attitude as others have also expressed.

Cbcoach,

You constantly remind posters on these blogs that nobody said we were going to win 90 games this year. Yes that is true, but as others have said we continue to set the expectations low, even for years to come. I don't get that attitude from the team ownership.

When do you think we should seriously think about winning? 2011, 2012? When? Has Angelos and Andy MacPhail set goals for this team? If so, what are they, because I haven't heard any expectations other than 2010 is another rebuilding (aka losing) year.

As abc123 said, how do you justify low expectations when everyone around MLB, not just the O's front office, says the team is full of talent at most key positions?

As it has been said prior here, Andy MacPhail lowers expectations as means for job security. Which I don't understand because most experts agree, he has done a marvelous job so far. Why shy away and not have some swagger. You're the top guy. Show some confidence. Show some pride in your work. Have your team believe they can do it. Get the fans fired up. Don't let Camden Yards be the home field for the Yankees and the Redsox.

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Pete's reply: I have to tell you, Andy doesn't need job security and he's trying to rebuild a team that has lost 11 -- soon 12 -- years in a row. He didn't need to lower expectations, either. He has done exactly what he said he would do and his timetable was always beyond 2010. I actually think he has raised expectations with the acceleration of Reimold, Bergesen, Tillman and Matusz. I just think the Sherrill deal reminded us that the original is still in effect.

The O's minor league system is finally being stocked with quality prospects who are just now making it to the majors. Unfortunately we still have minor league coaches at the major league level. We need coaches who aren't so intimidated of the few established players that we do have, that they can't kick them in the butt when they are slacking. (ie Roberts, Mora, Huff) The old "lead by example" cliche is certainly working for the Orioles as all of the young players are really picking up on the lack of fundamentals from the vets.

Gut the coaching staff once again and now that we finally have good young talent bring go out and get established coaches (if any are available) who can kick some @ss.

Many sobering comments after last nights game.. The team is broken on many levels but I have to agree that it’s broken pretty bad with the fans and that’s really being overlooked in the rebuilding process. Hiring a established MLB manager that has winning experience is what this team and fan base are dying for also it will make Angelos look better for not hiring another yes man. Something has to be done to show the team is ready to move past the dark years.

Pete,

Great piece! I personally think AM has done a great job and is clearly the GM of the last two years, but regretfully his best work has to be ahead of him if the O's are truly to become competitive. While he has gotten PA authority to make trades, he hasn't yet gotten into PA pocketbook! We need an injection of cash and now that Andy has improved the team despite a ton of dead money, now is the time to move out. We need a front end starter, an upgrade at 3B and to resign Huff.!

With that, along with the development of Jones, Reimhold and Wieters we will be a team most will NOT want to play!

ravenczar,

Last time i checked the Yanks are in first place. Thats also over a Red Sox team that packed more fans into Camden Yards than Oriole fans. Why would Tex and AJ want to play here? They knew the score thats why they went to NY.

I was stunned last night when Victor Martinez aka V-Mart as the nation calls him now got a road game standing ovation in Baltimore…

I never beleved that the O's would be competitive in 2010, I'll be happy with a winning season then. What's frightening me is that they might not even achieve that.
With all the changes made since the spring, I fully expected this team to be performing better than the team that came out of Florida in April, and I ain't seeing it. We now have our long term players in place at all three outfield spots, 2b and C, with acceptable options at 1st and perhaps short, but still the complete lack of offense continues. The pitching since the AS break has been pretty good, but the O's keep losing 4-0, 2-1, etc. If the O's can't even manage to win half their games at home with this lineup, what reason do I have to believe they can even approach .500 next season, let alone compete for the division lead?
I don't think the loss of Sherrill is my big concern. I feel Johnson will be able to fill in adequately, but if the pitching staff has to throw a shutout every game in order for them to win, they have no chance.
For the first time in a long while, it seems the biggest problem for the O's right now is scoring runs. If they had been smacking the ball like they did the first two months of the season they'd likely have a winning record for the second half so far.

Peter: I'm surprised at the weakness of your column. You could have thrown out the name BJ Ryan as an example of the fungible nature of relief pitchers. George Sherrill is having a good year, but he's 32, and in the new post-steroid reality, that means he's poised over a precipice. Moreover, he was hardly the difference between a winner and loser in 2010. He's having as good a year as could be expected this season, and was it helping the O's compete?

Don't feed the anti-rebuilding forces. You might awaken The Peter from his slumber and hasten a return to the David Segui/Omar Daal era.

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Pete's reply: I think you missed my point, which was not about Sherrill being the long-term answer in relief. It was about Andy's stated desire for the team to make a noticeable stride at the end of this year and the fact that he acquired a third baseman who will not be ready next year. That is why I questioned how it affects the timetable, not because Sherrill might or might not save more games next year than Jim Johnson. I never expected Sherrill to be saving the seventh game of the World Series for the O's.

Peter: I'm surprised at the weakness of your column. You could have thrown out the name BJ Ryan as an example of the fungible nature of relief pitchers. George Sherrill is having a good year, but he's 32, and in the new post-steroid reality, that means he's poised over a precipice. Moreover, he was hardly the difference between a winner and loser in 2010. He's having as good a year as could be expected this season, and was it helping the O's compete?

Don't feed the anti-rebuilding forces. You might awaken The Peter from his slumber and hasten a return to the David Segui/Omar Daal era.

section 34,

This new era is just a repackaged David Segui/Omar Daal era.

Pete,

I've been an Orioles fan for God knows how long, but you might be plugged in more than I am. OK, I can respect that we will not compete in 2010, although I think is a poor business decision to come out and say it or even believe it. Shows lack of confidence on the players you have, and a contradiction with what you're telling fans about their talent.

The only thing it does in my opinion, is that it protects you against criticism of underachieving. Even though it might not be your intention, it's a byproduct of it.

I've said it before. If you are going to take 3-5 years to rebuild, you better build a dynasty for the next 10. I don't think that will happen either.

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Pete's reply: Well, Andy didn't say that the team won't compete next year. He did say they would not compete this year, but this is only the second full season he's been here. I think he set the bar low on purpose, but that's because these fans already feel like they've been sold a bill of goods for the past decade or so. It could bloom next year if these young pitchers step up and the team fills a couple of holes, but in this division it's probably not realistic. And, I think the plan is to be good for five or six years and continue to develop. Whether that actually happens....who knows?

The Orioles problems: Nothing that 3 pitchers and 3 or 4 bats can't solve