Hey Pete,
Any truth to the rumor that Millwood is similar to Sherrill in that he typically struggles in the spring but once the season starts its game on? I've read that on a couple different message boards and blogs and just wanted to see if a legit source has heard that too. Figured I'd throw that out there so people won't get all crazy if he does start out slow and its true. You know how people jump to conclusions around here.

All I can say is, I just don't understand the sore hamstrings and quads. If I was getting paid 5 mil a year, and had that level of God given talent and a lifetime of development, I'd spend the entire off- season preparing for the start of Spring Training. I just don't get how guys can come into camp at less than tip-top physical (not necessarily "baseball") condition. There is no excuse, unless they've been rehabbing an injury or something. I guess that's one of the many reasons I'd never make a good GM. No "coddling" gene.

Hey Mo, there is something called google. You can use google to look up baseball statistics the same way Pete would.

I'd only expect another pitcher signing (after camp starts) if Bergesen looks like he'll be set back more than it appears. Unless it was a minor league depth guy... but even then, it looks like the upper level minor league rotations are pretty set.

Norfolk is looking like 1 Arrieta, 2 Hernandez, 3 Patton, 4 Berken, 5 Erbe (though Hernandez or Berken may end up in the O's pen)

Bowie could be 1 Britton, 3 Spoone, 4 Bascom, 5 Beato

You may notice I left the #2 Bowie spot open. That one is for Steve Johnson.

My three pen guys not named Gonzalez, Johnson, Uehara or Hendrickson... Ohman, Meredith and Mickolio.

Now I've just got to figure out the Norfolk pen... I'm thinking Tanaka, Gabino, Sarfate, Castillo, Perrault, Perez, Lebron. I realize it's probably way too early for that though...

Hey Brandon,
Google? Really? You can find stuff on there? I've never heard of it before? Hmmm...maybe you can teach me about it sometime, or mind your own business if you have nothing constructive to say because there are no spring training stats out there. Wake up on the wrong side of the bed today or something?

As the old saying goes, Hope Springs Eternal. That said, it really does. In a perfect world, the young pitchers keep coming round (I believe 10 wins more if Tillman and Matusz were up from the start last year instead of the scrub squad, but I understand), Adkins comes back to form, and Tejada is just Tejeda. I believe the bullpen has been solidied and I love resigning Hendrickson in the role he is best, left hand assassin.

I know, I know, it's easy to get excited but damn it...I want to be excited. It might actually be founded.

Season Ticket Holder and Future Owner of the O's if it ever stops snowing and business gets back to normal in Fell's,

Kory Mitchell
Fell's Point Frame and Design
1622 Thames St.
Baltimore, MD 21231
443.869.4945

I know, I know, it's easy to get excited but damn it...I want to be excited. It might actually be founded.

Season Ticket Holder and Future Owner of the O's if it ever stops snowing and business gets back to normal in Fell's,

Kory Mitchell
Fell's Point Frame and Design
1622 Thames St.
Baltimore, MD 21231
443.869.4945

Mo:

I'm not trying to take sides here, but you must not have looked very hard. Despite your insistence that "there are no spring training stats out there", a search on the google for "spring training stats" turns up this gem as the 3rd result:

2009 MLB exhibition statistics - USATODAY.com
www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/statistics.htm

If I get a little bit adventurous and scroll down on the page, the first suggested similar search is for the term "spring training stats 2008". Probably a good idea, this gives the impression I'm looking for past statistics. I clicked this link, and the fourth result under this search is intriguing....

Atlanta Braves Spring Training Batting Stats - ESPN
espndb.go.com › All Sports › MLB
http://espndb.go.com/mlb/springStats?team=atl&year=2007

Even though I'm not interested in the Braves' spring training stats from 2007, it's probably worth a click because I doubt ESPN would have spring training stats only for the 2007 Braves. I also think it is intriguing because I've never heard of "espndb" before... sounds useful.

It looks pretty darn neat too. On that ESPN Spring Training Stats page, you can view either the Batting or Pitching Spring Training Stats of any of the 30 Major League Baseball Clubs over the past 8 years.

The truth is out there...
--Fox Mulder

Pete,
Any chance the Orioles will go after the winner of the Sporting group at Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show?

..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: Now, that's just unkind, but amusing.

I think Steve Johnson got seleted in the Rule 5 draft. I know he is no longer with the team. Either way, much ado about nothing again. This team is years away from even having a chance to compete. 14 straight losing years, is my prediction and again, not even close to .500.

Mark,

I know he got selected by the Giants. That's why I left the spot open. The chances of him making the Giants team though, even as part of the bullpen, are pretty slim. So I expect him to be sent back to Baltimore after spring training along with $50K.

And 14 losing season? Man, if they have a losing year this year you're just gonna call it 2 seasons? Man. That's harsh.