Orioles News - 10/31/07 - O's Decline Option On Benson - Patterson Leaves - Bako Gone Too

Busy, busy, busy. That is what the Baltimore Orioles have been. I'll begin with the news about Kris Benson.

The O's have decided not to pick up the option on pitcher Kris Benson's contract today. Benson missed all of last season with a partially-torn rotator cuff. He underwent surgery last March to repair it. And to think we traded away a young pitcher with potential (John Maine) for a few starts by Kris Benson. Real good move there. Riiiiiight.

Center fielder Corey Patterson has officially filed for free agency. He will be joining a free agent class that includes Andruw Jones and Torii Hunter. That is a good class between those two players alone. Since those players are out there, Patterson is likely to get over looked by many teams. He will probably find out that little teams show interest in him.

Backup catcher Paul Bako has also officially filed for free agency. He wasn't the greatest backup ever, but still a good backup player. - John T.

Orioles News - 10/24/07 - Goodbye Etch, 3 Others Also Gone - Who's The 1st Base Coach?

Goodbye Andy Etchebarren, Doc Watson, Tom Lawless, and Bien Figueroa. Right now your probably saying, "Who?" Andy Etchebarren, the manager of the Aberdeen Ironbirds, a Baltimore Orioles Single A minor league affiliate. Doc Watson was the minor league pitching coach and Tom Lawless was the infield and base running instructor. Bien Figueroa was formerly the manager of the O's Double A minor league team, Bowie. They were all fired and it appears Etch took it the worst. He was obviously upset. In his days as manager of the Ironbirds, he compiled a 102-124 record. He had been a coach or manager for the Baltimore Orioles franchise for the last 15 years. Adios Etch.

The O's have until 10 days after the World Series to decide on whether or not to pick up the option on Pitcher Kris Benson. It shouldn't take that long, as Benson should be outta here.

Who will be the 1st base coach for the O's next season? There's no word yet, but former Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles still remains a candidate for the vacancy at first base coach.

That's all for today, check back here tomorrow for more Orioles news. - John T.

Orioles News - 10/23/07 - Two Players Come Up From Minors, Five Taken Off DL

Well, it's official. The Baltimore Orioles took two players up from the minors yesterday, and took 5 players off of the Disabled List to bring their amount of players on their roster to the limit of 40. The players who came up were right handed pitcher Fredy Deza and right handed pitcher Bob McCrory. They both came up from Double A Bowie.

Also, five players came off of the 60 day Disabled List. Those players were pitcher Erik Bedard, pitcher Kris Benson, pitcher Adam Loewen, closer Chris Ray, and Outfielder Jay Gibbons. My first thought: Kris Benson is still here? My second thought: If Gibbons took steroids, why is he still on the team? Weren't the O's going to release him after it was found that he used steroids? It appears the O's were all talk and no walk. Ain't that the story of the last 10 years? - John T.

Orioles News - 10/8/07 - Looking At The O's Pitching In 2008

Now that the Baltimore Orioles season is over, some of the many questions on every one's mind are these: What will the Orioles' pitching rotation look like in 2008? What changes do the O's need to make to compete? Should Miguel Tejada leave or at least move to 3rd base? Should Daniel Cabrera leave or at least head to the bullpen? Today I will answer the first question, What will the Orioles' pitching rotation look like in 2008? The rest will be answered in the coming days.

What Will the Baltimore Orioles Pitching Rotation Look Like in 2008?

The O's pitching staff is one of the worst in the league, a fact that's not likely to change this year. But, with some key off season moves, the Orioles could have a chance at a mediocre pitching staff. Don't believe me? I'm not surprised considering the fact the Orioles pitching was ranked 2nd to last in ERA last year. But, the foundation has been laid. With left hander Erik Bedard as our ace of the present and future, the number one spot in the rotation is securely held down. Now comes number two. This will be close, as right hander Jeremy Guthrie and left hander Adam Loewen are likely to be duking it out for the number two spot. The runner up will likely take the third spot. Then there's the fourth and fifth spots up for grabs. It is unclear whether Daniel Cabrera will get a spot in the rotation after 4 frustrating seasons in Baltimore. If he does, it's likely that he does because of a lack of other good pitchers. There's also Kris Benson, the pitcher who was on the Disabled List all season. He could get a spot in the rotation once he comes back from injury. Throw in Radhames Liz, Garrett Olson, and Brian Burres and there is a 5 man battle for two spots in the rotation. It should be interesting during spring training...

Coming tomorrow: What Changes Do the O's Need to Make to Compete? - John T.

Orioles News - 10/1/07 - 2007 season in review

This blog will be about the Baltimore Orioles 2007 season in review.

Season-changing moment:

Firing manager Sam Perlozzo and hiring Dave Trembley. This was key as the team did great when Trembley was the interim manager, but the same night that it was announced he became the Orioles' official manager, August 22, Baltimore lost to the Texas Rangers 30-3. That was a major turning point in the 2007 season as the O's would lose 8 straight after that and be stuck in a slump for the rest of the season.

What was good:

There were few things that were good, but I would say that Nick Markakis' season was the best thing for the Orioles this year. Markakis led the team in doubles (43), home runs (23), and RBI's (112). He also led the team with a .300 batting average. That's great because this shows that maybe, just maybe, the Orioles do have some good, young players that could help them win. But, I'll go into the subject of good moments in the 2007 season more tomorrow...

What was bad:

Just about everything. But to pick one main thing, I would say that injuries tore the team up. Adam Loewen, Jaret Wright, Kris Benson, and Chris Ray all suffered season ending injuries, with most of the injuries coming at the beginning of the year. Not to mention Miguel Tejada and Ramon Hernandez getting hurt... But, I will have more about the bad moments of the 2007 season in a few days...

In more Baltimore Orioles' news, pitchers Jaret Wright and Victor Zambrano were released by the team. Zambrano had a 8.76 ERA in 12 1/3 innings pitched and 11 walks during his stay in Baltimore. He won't be missed.

Coming tomorrow: The Best Moments Of The Baltimore Orioles 2007 Season. - John T.