Five Ways To Improve the Orioles Now
Today’s off day for the Orioles has me thinking. The right mix of players to win some games has got to be here somewhere, right? And since I know DT and Andy MacPhail hang on every word said here, I’ve put together five thoughts on improving the team in the short term.
1. Hughes should have the first base job until further notice. Ride the hot hand until it’s not hot anymore. Maybe that’s this Friday, maybe that’s August. Either way he has to stay for now. Atkins is a big boy. He can take it.
2. Lugo needs to go. I’d be happy with Turner or Andino up in his place right now and I think we’d be no worse and probably better. If that’s wishful thinking I’ll say this: he definitely shouldn’t stay any longer than it takes Brian Roberts to return.
3. David Hernandez has been victimized by god-awful run support but has nonetheless quietly authored a nice start to the season. Nothing gaudy but certainly good enough for a fifth starter.
Not really a thought on improving the team for now, I know, but it’s nice to see. I like that guy.
4. Nolan Reimold should be the everyday left-fielder unless he’s physically unable. I understand the debate about Reimold vs. Pie, and it certainly looked like Pie was winning before he got hurt. But a debate about Reimold vs. Luke Scott or Lou Montanez? Madness. Let the kid get his reps.
5. Let’s temporarily abandon the notion of a “closer”. We don’t have one right now, so why not? Give the ninth inning to the right pitcher in the right situation. Call that “closer by committee” if you want but I’d just call it smart managing under tough circumstances.
None of these things will move the needle enough to mean a complete turnaround. I realize that. But they could help and right now any measure of improvement, no matter how small, will make a difference.
What about you: thoughts for small steps they can take right now to improve?
I would add simply that Albers has got to go. He’s the kind of guy that when he’s good, I get a huge mancrush, but when he’s bad, I can’t stand him. He’s just so inconsistent with his stuff. It makes you wonder if having the shoulder surgery instead of rehabbing may have helped him with that problem. Who knows – he certainly has his velocity, but he just gets lit up more times than not. And while the same can be said for Jim Johnson right now, I think he’s earned his stay for the time being.
So when Koji is ready, I think the prudent thing is to expose Albers to waivers. If Koji can stay healthy (big if), he might be The biggest one-shot bullpen fix that we have. I would even have him close and try to get Berken to pitch a little more middle innings instead of being relegated to long relief.
It’s funny.. we all basically saw Lugo as an improvement on Andino when he was acquired, but now we’re calling for Andino. But hey, when your batting line is basically .100/.100/.100, it’s time to go. My Red Sox buddy warned me about this. Dude couldn’t even get down the bunt last night.
On Hernandez, I’m really encouraged by his progress this year. He doesn’t look like the same pitcher who would pound that upper part of the zone; he’s definitely locating down and even some really nice down and away fastballs. And he’s flashing a nice little curve and change, too. Neal, you were always a believer in his ability to start at the major league level, so for now, kudos to you! Now if one day Arrieta or Tillman forces him out, that’s one thing. But for now, he’s looking like a darn good 5th starter.
Andrew, I’d love to hear your thoughts on some of the minor leaguers. Seems to me the stories have been:
1. Arrieta (0.36 ERA, 10BB, 23K)
2. Avery (.375/.444/.453)
3. Tim Bascom (1.00 ERA, 18IP, 10K)
4. And then the early struggles of Britton, Erbe, and Tillman.
Looks like Bell and Snyder have started to wake up a little bit at the same time the Orioles’ bats have.
Glad for the win yesterday, but damn this bullpen is shaky right now. It will be an interesting decision re: Bergeson or Arrieta for the open slot. If it were me, I’d go with Arrieta for now. Let Bergie work it out for a bit longer in the minors, and see what Arrieta’s got. If Arrieta or Hernandez begin to falter, replace that person with Bergeson if he’s got the sinker working again. I actually think Hernandez might have a very good future in the bullpen if not as a #5 guy.
One very positive thing about this year so far has been the rotation. Guthrie and Millwood have been very solid. Matusz is a future star, no doubt. And Hernandez has been a pleasant surprise. I’m beginning to think the horrific start can really be pegged on injuries, the bullpen, and glacially slow starts by Jones, Markakis, and Reimold. But as I think Dan said, the bullpen would be helped a ton by Koji replacing Albers and a healthy Gonzalez coming back.
I definitely like what I see from Hughes at the plate, and yes, Lugo is utterly useless. When Roberts comes back, he better be gone.
Dan, yeah I’ve been meaning to get to the minor leagues, but I’m moving to Virginia the day after tomorrow and I’m in a play tonight, so I’ve been busy. Minor league coverage is coming, I promise!
I totally agree re: Hughes. On Opening Day I posited with some camden chatters that Hughes could at least match Atkins production this year (Note that that doesn’t make me a huge fan of Hughes) and I’m glad that he’s finally getting that opportunity. Atkins has been exactly as bad as I figured. Five million dollars flushed.
It was my understanding that Reimold has been just narrowly avoiding another DL stint as it is. At any rate I’d probably split the LF/DH roles 50-50 between the two of them just so that Luke can get to stretch his legs and maybe keep his head out of his horrifying slump.
Getting rid of the closer position – if the Orioles had better arms in the bullpen – would be the greatest thing ever. The fact that Trembley doesn’t seem afraid to pull whoever’s pitching in the last inning at this point is terrific.
As for Hernandez…color me concerned. His xFIP so far in this year is exactly the same as it was last year, he’s actually striking out less guys and walking the same number. He hasn’t given up any home runs, but with the number of fly balls he gives up, that’s going to change big time sooner or later.
Obviously when its only been four games, things can get skewed quickly. He walked too many guys in his first game, and his last two games have been icky: 3 K, 5 BB…but he’s pitching deep into games, and so far hes not giving up runs. I’m concerned though.
Count me in for the Arrieta spot start. I want to see Bergesen have one more good start down there and why not see what Arrieta can do? The walks concern me a little, but he’s got a nasty BAA, so that’s something.
@ dan the man:
Oh Dan, don’t you know that BAA isn’t a very good way of rating pitchers in the minors?
Arrieta is also not on the 40-man, so if Bergesen does prove himself good to go (and I agree that he needs to do more than just beat up one AAA team once), he probably should get first crack.
@ Andrew:
Give me credit for at least trying to use stats.. haha.
Good point about the 40-man. You have to wonder if the O’s will make a move or two with it being the off-day. I would love to see a Simon for Albers swap. I think Simon could be real good out of the ‘pen. Or at least better than Albers.
Remember Eli Whiteside? He’s playing with the Giants now. Weird.
http://giants.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=434630
@ dan the man: I noticed that watching the hilights from the Aubrey Huff in-the-parker game. I think Eli hit a homerun. It’s interesting to know that they are postponing Buster Posey’s arrival for that guy.
I definitely agree that Lugo has underperformed, but he’s the depth the Orioles have at second. They’ve got to stick with him. I also disagree with you on left field. I think a healthy Reimold gives you a more solid fielder than Scott or Montanez. But right now Montanez is much more mobile and can make some things happen with the bat.
@ Zach: Lugo is depth at second, but he’s not the only depth. There’s no way he’s any better than Justin Turner right now, and at least Turner might surprise us. With Lugo we know exactly what we’re getting and it’s not only not good, it hurts to watch.