Orioles News - 10/19/07 - Who Will Close Next Season?

Since the Baltimore Orioles' season is over, the main personnel is focusing on next year. A major question is: Who will be the O's closer next season? Our real closer, Chris Ray, will be out most of next season after having Tommy John Surgery. So, who else? Not reliever Dany Baez (who took over once Ray got hurt earlier in the year), because he too is having Tommy John Surgery. So who will it be? Chad Bradford? Jamie Walker? Or someone else that the O's sign or trade for this off season? My money is on a new closer that will come in via trade or free agency. Why? Well, Chad Bradford is one of our few good relievers, so Baltimore will keep him as a reliever simply because they really don't have many more good relievers. The same can be said about Jamie Walker. He is a top reliever for Baltimore and when your relievers are that thin, you need to protect what few relievers you have. So look for a new closer to come into town via trade or free agency. Otherwise, we might be in trouble. - John T.

Orioles News - 9/25/07 - O's fall to Toronto - Baez out all of next year?

The Baltimore Orioles lost last night, 11-4. The winner of this game was the Toronto Blue Jays. This game was ugly. As a matter of fact, kid's should shield their eyes from this: The O's left 11 men on base in this game. That's terrible. A little league team could do better then that. Well, not really but you get the point. More facts to read with caution: This was the 17th game this year in which the Orioles have given up 10 runs or more. It was also their 25th loss in 34 games. Look here, another ugly fact. (The world is just filled with ugly facts, isn't it?) Starter Brian Burres went 3 1/3 innings, giving up 7 runs. All 7 of those runs were earned.

The Blue Jay's runs came in bunches as the scored 3 runs in the 2nd, 3rd, and 7th innings. The Orioles did get some runs as they scored 3 runs in the 5th inning on 5 hits and 1 error. They also scored again in the 7th inning, but it was too little, too late as this game was already decided.

In more news, reliever Dany Baez will likely miss all of next season with an elbow injury. Baez will have Tommy John surgery. My take on this: He won't be missed much by me. Baez is 0-6 with a 6.44 ERA in 53 appearances. Now you tell me, is he really worth a 3 year, 19 million dollar contract? - John T.