The Orioles cut Jay Gibbons today to get their roster to the opening day maximum of 25 players.
I didn't see this coming with the delay of his season-opening 15-game suspension. It looked like the break Gibbons would need as the MLB considers granting amnesty to past substance abusers while putting a new system in place.
Now, not only have the Orioles released their second-longest tenured and most productive (although admittedly inconsistent) player over the past few seasons, but they will also owe him $11.9 million.
The $10+ million salary difference is worth eating to keep a younger player (utility infielder Scott Moore) who may be more useful this year and down the road.
The real question that remains though is, is this the end of the housecleaning? Already two of Baltimore's three best players from last year (Miguel Tejada and Erik Bedard) have been traded for a boatload of unproven prospects and chic pick closer George Sherrill, and now one of the biggest bats in the lineups (relative to the rest of the order) has been released for nothing in return but a little relief from the distractions his appearance on the Mitchell Report was causing.
Considering Brian Roberts was Gibbons' best friend on the team, I think the rumor of him being traded to the Cubs will become a reality very soon. Along with Tejada and Bedard leaving, that would mean that the top three players from last season would be out of Baltimore with Nick Markakis, Jeremy Guthrie and (gasp) Adam Jones leading the Orioles in their pursuit of finishing better than third place before Peter Angelos sells the team to Cal Ripken, Jr.
While the Orioles have been unloading, the other four teams in the AL East have been reloading. Consider it a huge accomplishment if the O's finish higher than fourth and/or within 25 games of first place this season.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Romo blooms at Azalea
Tony Romo may not have made it to a Super Bowl yet, but he's in the mix to do something more impressive (considering he's a pro football player eight months out of the year) this weekend in an amateur golf tournament.
He's only four shots back at the prestigious Azalea Invitational in Charleston, S.C. and is in the company of some amateur golf giants: Trip Kuehne, famous for losing to Tiger Woods in the 1994 U.S. Amateur Final, as well as for winning the 2007 U.S. Mid-Amateur; Kevin Tway, winner of the 2005 U.S. Junior Amateur; Trent Leon, one of the nation's top college golfers on an Oklahoma State squad that is equivalent to USC football in this era.
Leon and four others shot a two under par 69 yesterday while Romo fired a 73. Most tournaments set the Thursday pins up easier than the other three days so I fully expect Romo to fall back from his tie for 19th.
As someone who only missed qualifying for the U.S. Open Sectionals by four shots last year this isn't a shock that once again he's competing with some of the elite amateurs in the world.
If Romo wins, maybe he should just invest all of his money into golf and go for the PGA Tour. At least there he can take as much time as he wants to set the ball on the tee.
He's only four shots back at the prestigious Azalea Invitational in Charleston, S.C. and is in the company of some amateur golf giants: Trip Kuehne, famous for losing to Tiger Woods in the 1994 U.S. Amateur Final, as well as for winning the 2007 U.S. Mid-Amateur; Kevin Tway, winner of the 2005 U.S. Junior Amateur; Trent Leon, one of the nation's top college golfers on an Oklahoma State squad that is equivalent to USC football in this era.
Leon and four others shot a two under par 69 yesterday while Romo fired a 73. Most tournaments set the Thursday pins up easier than the other three days so I fully expect Romo to fall back from his tie for 19th.
As someone who only missed qualifying for the U.S. Open Sectionals by four shots last year this isn't a shock that once again he's competing with some of the elite amateurs in the world.
If Romo wins, maybe he should just invest all of his money into golf and go for the PGA Tour. At least there he can take as much time as he wants to set the ball on the tee.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Free ride for Davidson students
Kudos to the Board of Trustees at Davidson College for funding a student trip to see their Wildcats play against Wisconsin tomorrow night in the Sweet 16.
Personally I'd pay a lot of money to see Stephen Curry play tomorrow night, especially against one of the top three defensive teams in the country (probably 1. UCLA 2. Wisconsin 3. Washington State.)
This isn't unheard of though. The Student Government association and other administration-driven organizations enabled the Mount St. Mary's students to travel to Dayton with bus transportation for $50 when the Mount faced Coppin State in the play-in game. Then just three days later they provided tickets for $35, a 15 percent discount, for any student who could find his or her own transportation to Raleigh for the game vs. North Carolina.
It's no coincidence that Davison and the Mount are two of the six smallest NCAA Division I schools in the country and their schools are so supportive of their students. I'm sure that just like at the Mount, Davidson is very close-knit and self-supportive.
Rare are the times when the Davids(ons) of the world like us (a 16 seed) and the Wildcats (a strong 10) can enjoy the NCAA tournament, let alone a run into the second weekend. Congratulations to Davidson and the Mount for realizing this special opportunity and making it easier on your students to experience it.
Personally I'd pay a lot of money to see Stephen Curry play tomorrow night, especially against one of the top three defensive teams in the country (probably 1. UCLA 2. Wisconsin 3. Washington State.)
This isn't unheard of though. The Student Government association and other administration-driven organizations enabled the Mount St. Mary's students to travel to Dayton with bus transportation for $50 when the Mount faced Coppin State in the play-in game. Then just three days later they provided tickets for $35, a 15 percent discount, for any student who could find his or her own transportation to Raleigh for the game vs. North Carolina.
It's no coincidence that Davison and the Mount are two of the six smallest NCAA Division I schools in the country and their schools are so supportive of their students. I'm sure that just like at the Mount, Davidson is very close-knit and self-supportive.
Rare are the times when the Davids(ons) of the world like us (a 16 seed) and the Wildcats (a strong 10) can enjoy the NCAA tournament, let alone a run into the second weekend. Congratulations to Davidson and the Mount for realizing this special opportunity and making it easier on your students to experience it.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Eli-Eli-Oh!
I have one more reason to hate Eli Manning.
His response to Tiki Barber's comments questioning Eli's comfort level with being the leader of the offense was contradictory, if not hypocritical, at best.
Peyton's little brother took another step into No. 18's shadow by telling the press in so many words that he wasn't worried about what Tiki said and he wouldn't make an issue of it. He followed that up by sporting that stupidly sheepish grin you see on a seventh-grader who doesn't know the answer to an algebra question when called on in class.
He went on about how he "could have" questioned Tiki's leadership skills when he called out head coach Tom Coughlin in the media and announced his retirement prematurely. He also noted how nice of a transition Tiki has made to the media profession so far.
First of all, if it wasn't for Tiki the Giants would not have scraped by at 8-8 to make the playoffs. They could have dropped Eli, however, at any point in the season for Kelly Holcomb or Ryan Leaf and still had a chance at the playoffs.
That aside, Tiki may have been out of line, but the failure to recognize that you, Eli, have the upper hand and could have simply ignored Tiki, like Peyton would have done to any former teammate who called him out* and then proved yourself on the field during the season.
*Mike Vanderjagt doesn't count because he's a kicker and an idiot whether he's "liquored up" or not. Plus Peyton broke one of Dan Marino's records and has a ring so he has some more leeway.
If Eli had anything to show for himself on the field, he would show it instead of running his mouth and hiding behind his name and his expectations every time he's criticized.
Maybe he should have just went to San Diego. I'd like to think Tiki would still be in New York if Kerry Collins and/or Phillip Rivers were in town.
His response to Tiki Barber's comments questioning Eli's comfort level with being the leader of the offense was contradictory, if not hypocritical, at best.
Peyton's little brother took another step into No. 18's shadow by telling the press in so many words that he wasn't worried about what Tiki said and he wouldn't make an issue of it. He followed that up by sporting that stupidly sheepish grin you see on a seventh-grader who doesn't know the answer to an algebra question when called on in class.
He went on about how he "could have" questioned Tiki's leadership skills when he called out head coach Tom Coughlin in the media and announced his retirement prematurely. He also noted how nice of a transition Tiki has made to the media profession so far.
First of all, if it wasn't for Tiki the Giants would not have scraped by at 8-8 to make the playoffs. They could have dropped Eli, however, at any point in the season for Kelly Holcomb or Ryan Leaf and still had a chance at the playoffs.
That aside, Tiki may have been out of line, but the failure to recognize that you, Eli, have the upper hand and could have simply ignored Tiki, like Peyton would have done to any former teammate who called him out* and then proved yourself on the field during the season.
*Mike Vanderjagt doesn't count because he's a kicker and an idiot whether he's "liquored up" or not. Plus Peyton broke one of Dan Marino's records and has a ring so he has some more leeway.
If Eli had anything to show for himself on the field, he would show it instead of running his mouth and hiding behind his name and his expectations every time he's criticized.
Maybe he should have just went to San Diego. I'd like to think Tiki would still be in New York if Kerry Collins and/or Phillip Rivers were in town.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Sting Ray
If Erik Bedard had a vote for the AL Cy Young winner, it would go to Josh Beckett. The modest Orioles ace would surely embrace the award, but knows he trails Beckett in one important statistical category--wins.
There is a strong correlation between Beckett's 15 wins and the team for which he plays. The Red Sox after all have the best record in baseball. It is Bedard, though, who leads the league in strikeouts by 33 over Johan Santana. It is Bedard's 2.98 ERA that is second in the AL behind Kelvin Escobar of the Angels (who have the second-best record in baseball.) Bedard is also among the 20 AL pitchers with a complete game shut-out. (Only Jeff Weaver, with two, has multiple shut-outs.) Beckett, for the record, has none.
So what then is holding Bedard from joining baseball pundits across the country in tabbing himself as a favorite for the prestigious pitching award? Statistically it may be the wins, but in reality it's a lack of two things: run support and a closer.
The Orioles will supposedly address the former problem in the offseason. But now with closer Chris Ray having Tommy John surgery performed yesterday the O's have to find a reliable closer for the 2008 season, which Ray is expected to miss.
Not that Ray was becoming the AL East's new Mariano Rivera, but he converted 33 of 38 opportunities in 2006. Now the Orioles have to rely on the unreliable Danys Baez to close out the rest of the season, and hope he proves fit for next year as well.
I don't mean to ruin the ending, but he won't.
Manager Dave Trembley says rookie reliever Jim Hoey will remain in the setup role, despite no earned runs in five appearances this year. Baez, meanwhile, has as many losses as Hoey does scoreless appearances. He was signed as part of the bullpen revamping project the Orioles proudly underwent in the offseason. Now they will be forced to revisit that area this offseason if they hope to find a true closer. Problem is that the market isn't going to be flooded with big names. (Francisco Cordero from Milwaukee may be the best outside option.)
Without someone to finish off what Bedard masterfully starts, it will be hard to convince him he can truly become one of the games elite pitchers in Baltimore. (Statistically anyway, Baltimore fans and others are quickly finding out that his stuff is as good as anyone's.)
Beckett has Johnatan Papelbon (with Eric Gagne setting him up, not a bad eighth and ninth inning rotation) and Escobar, along with John Lackey (15-7, 3.23, 129 Ks) have Francisco Rodriguez.
Erik Bedard has, well, nobody. And unless Peter Angelos makes a big move this winter, neither will the Orioles.
There is a strong correlation between Beckett's 15 wins and the team for which he plays. The Red Sox after all have the best record in baseball. It is Bedard, though, who leads the league in strikeouts by 33 over Johan Santana. It is Bedard's 2.98 ERA that is second in the AL behind Kelvin Escobar of the Angels (who have the second-best record in baseball.) Bedard is also among the 20 AL pitchers with a complete game shut-out. (Only Jeff Weaver, with two, has multiple shut-outs.) Beckett, for the record, has none.
So what then is holding Bedard from joining baseball pundits across the country in tabbing himself as a favorite for the prestigious pitching award? Statistically it may be the wins, but in reality it's a lack of two things: run support and a closer.
The Orioles will supposedly address the former problem in the offseason. But now with closer Chris Ray having Tommy John surgery performed yesterday the O's have to find a reliable closer for the 2008 season, which Ray is expected to miss.
Not that Ray was becoming the AL East's new Mariano Rivera, but he converted 33 of 38 opportunities in 2006. Now the Orioles have to rely on the unreliable Danys Baez to close out the rest of the season, and hope he proves fit for next year as well.
I don't mean to ruin the ending, but he won't.
Manager Dave Trembley says rookie reliever Jim Hoey will remain in the setup role, despite no earned runs in five appearances this year. Baez, meanwhile, has as many losses as Hoey does scoreless appearances. He was signed as part of the bullpen revamping project the Orioles proudly underwent in the offseason. Now they will be forced to revisit that area this offseason if they hope to find a true closer. Problem is that the market isn't going to be flooded with big names. (Francisco Cordero from Milwaukee may be the best outside option.)
Without someone to finish off what Bedard masterfully starts, it will be hard to convince him he can truly become one of the games elite pitchers in Baltimore. (Statistically anyway, Baltimore fans and others are quickly finding out that his stuff is as good as anyone's.)
Beckett has Johnatan Papelbon (with Eric Gagne setting him up, not a bad eighth and ninth inning rotation) and Escobar, along with John Lackey (15-7, 3.23, 129 Ks) have Francisco Rodriguez.
Erik Bedard has, well, nobody. And unless Peter Angelos makes a big move this winter, neither will the Orioles.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Zambrano, Buehrle, should cue Angelos, MacPhail
Erik Bedard, who leads the major leagues with 207 strikeouts, has his opponent down to its last strike. This time, however, that opponent is Baltimore Orioles.
When White Sox ace Mark Buehrle signed a four-year, $56 million extension, the Baltimore front office fouled off the first pitch. But they must have been buckling at the knees when the team on the south-side of the windy city gave Carlos Zambrano $91.5 million over five years today.
Bedard, who hasn't lost in 12 consecutive starts, will become a free agent after next season unless Peter Angelos and Andy MacPhail step in. Kudos to Angelos for completing a deal for No. 1 draft pick Matt Wieters, but now it's time to sign someone who can help the Orioles now, not in a year or two.
When asked in The New York Times about the possibility of playing for the Yankees, the closely guarded southpaw contemplated the question before finally answering, "I don't know." Well we don't know either because while the Orioles could have locked up their franchise arm long before his stock began spiking in late June, they have instead allowed him to serve notice to the rest of the league that he is a legit No. 1 pitcher, something Orioles fans have known since last year.
If Bedard doesn't stay, neither will Brian Roberts, and it won't matter who is throwing to the heir apparent behind the plate from Georgia Tech, or who is covering at second when he guns down would-be base stealers.
In the Chicago Sun-Times, Zambrano acknowledged that he wanted to stay with the Cubs all along. He's glad the deal was worked out before he went to the market.
‘‘Not everything is about money,’’ Zambrano said in the Sun-Times article. Maybe not where you're from. If the Orioles don't broker a deal this winter, 2008 will be about nothing but money.
When White Sox ace Mark Buehrle signed a four-year, $56 million extension, the Baltimore front office fouled off the first pitch. But they must have been buckling at the knees when the team on the south-side of the windy city gave Carlos Zambrano $91.5 million over five years today.
Bedard, who hasn't lost in 12 consecutive starts, will become a free agent after next season unless Peter Angelos and Andy MacPhail step in. Kudos to Angelos for completing a deal for No. 1 draft pick Matt Wieters, but now it's time to sign someone who can help the Orioles now, not in a year or two.
When asked in The New York Times about the possibility of playing for the Yankees, the closely guarded southpaw contemplated the question before finally answering, "I don't know." Well we don't know either because while the Orioles could have locked up their franchise arm long before his stock began spiking in late June, they have instead allowed him to serve notice to the rest of the league that he is a legit No. 1 pitcher, something Orioles fans have known since last year.
If Bedard doesn't stay, neither will Brian Roberts, and it won't matter who is throwing to the heir apparent behind the plate from Georgia Tech, or who is covering at second when he guns down would-be base stealers.
In the Chicago Sun-Times, Zambrano acknowledged that he wanted to stay with the Cubs all along. He's glad the deal was worked out before he went to the market.
‘‘Not everything is about money,’’ Zambrano said in the Sun-Times article. Maybe not where you're from. If the Orioles don't broker a deal this winter, 2008 will be about nothing but money.
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