(Cue the inevitable "incredible move"-based sarcasm...)

PETE: I was under the impression that, Lefty, Chris waters had a future in Baltimore? Apparantly not?
What gives?

Harry O
Sykesville, Md

I don't understand why the Orioles didn't try to turn Waters into a lefty bullpen guy. Perhaps his stuff was not bullpen material (relied on a diversity of pitches rather than one out pitch, not particularly good against lefties), but in general I feel like teams should try failed starters out in the bullpen to see if there can be some cheap value there. For that matter, I would like to see the Orioles do what New York did, and have a young arm not ready to start in MLB but not learning anything more in AAA, pitch in the bullpen for a bit. I think Tillman and/or Arrieta should be there if the situation makes sense, for example.

Why do I feel like that will be a common headline this winter?

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tatumcr01.shtml

I like both moves. The Orioles haven't had a decent backup catcher since Joe Nolan. What they need more than anything else at the position is quality defense. Even though I'm not a fan of Baseball America, they did rank Tatum as the best defensive catcher in the Reds organization in 2008, over current starter Ryan Hanigan. Tatum as Wieters' backup next season would be good.

As for Waters, he stayed with the Orioles one year too long. His start in the last game at the old Yankee Stadium in late-September 2008 showed everyone that he simply had nothing. I just hope he doesn't boomerang back to the O's. If that happens, we're all in trouble.

WOW, let the FA season begin.....

This is off topic but don't you think sports over the years have gained too much importance in people's lives?
We have:
1. leaders of countries discussing a soccer game
2. Presidents talking about playoffs in college football
3. Players making obscene amounts of money (Jeter over $180M in his carreer) playing a game
4. Need to replay almost any questionable play
5. College coaches making millions while the players get virtually zip
6. Paying fees and promising head coaching jobs to assistants just to keep them around.

I've been a huge sports fan (lived and died with the Orioles as a kid, fortunately it was in the 60s/70s) still enjoy sports but the money and importance people place on them is just so far over the top it is sad to see.

Any chance things may change in the future? Some sports are certainly getting hit by the economy:
1. LPGA with only 10 events in the US in 2010
2. Bankrupt hockey team (Coyotes)
3. Seemingly empty basketball arenas (at least what I've seen in some cities)
4. Sponsorships in NASCAR dropping

Hopefully people will take a step back and realize sports shouldn't be the main thing in their lives and the money isn't an endless stream.

Pete,
I was surprised that Bass, Liz and Waters were left on the 40 man roster, anyway. I thought they would protect some more of their young pitching. What's the status of Scott Moore?

Waters is better than some of the pitchers we kept but maybe it's because he's getting older-who knows? The fact that he's a lefty means he'll probably get another shot somewhere.
That's not a pretty list re: 10 free agents O's may target. The name Rich Harden sticks out because he's a Cub and that alone may tweak MacPhail's interest as he seems to gravitate to players on his former team. The problem is that so far none of them have really panned out, although there may be some hope for Pie.

Pete, I know Chorye Spoone is a local favorite but I don't think he really deserves a roster spot over S. Johnson, Perrault and some of the other young pitchers.

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Pete's reply: I doubt it has anything to do with deserving anything. I think the team makes those decisions based on the best guess whether the guy they left off the roster will be picked up by another team in the Rule 5 draft. They felt Steve would not likely be taken because the team taking him would have to keep him on the 25-man all year and he hasn't pitched above Double-A. I'm not sure why Spoone was protected, but maybe the fact that he's been rehabbing would give a team an excuse to take him and DL him until he's healthy. I'll ask around.

Chorye Spoone struck out 133 in 152 during his 2007 season at Frederick. I guess he must be completely healthy and have a higher upside than the rest.

The reason they could not take Spoone off, is the same reason they did not want to put Johnson on. If you are on the roster and have to be taken off, you have to clear waivers. A team could pay the waiver fee (12K I believe) and put him on their roster and option him to the minor leagues. I still have a hard time believing Florimon would get selected in the Rule 5 before Johnson. That’s why they get paid to make decisions. I have already heard rumblings that a few teams are asking around about Johnson. It looks like the O’s may lose him. That’s a shame. But great for Steve, I think. I’m sure he would rather play for the Orioles. But, a chance to stay in the show all year at 22 would be nice. That would be a big break for him. He could always come back when he was a free agent.