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I’ll always remember that. Uehara’s love for the Charm City continued this offseason when he recommended the Orioles to free agents Tsuyoshi Wada of Japan and Wei-Yin Chen of Taiwan. I love this guy.
1. Albert Pujols- St. Louis Cardinals- They have the best fan nation in all of baseball. And because of that they have been able to hold onto guys like Tony LaRussa, Mark McGwire, and Matt Holliday through free agency. Pujols won’t want to play anywhere else.
MacPhail’s contract is set to expire at the end of October and initial reports linked Orioles manager Buck Showalter to be his successor. Dan Connolly of The Sun reports that MacPhail and Orioles owner Peter Angelos met last Thursday after the Orioles bumped the Boston Red Sox from the American League Wild Card. Had MacPhail decided to leave the team it likely would have been in that meeting. Roch Kubatko is MASN reports that MacPhail is “still deciding what he wants to do.” Fourteen straight losing seasons always make fans want change, but this season I felt that MacPhail had arguably his best year with the O’s. For starters he locked up a franchise shortstop in J.J. Hardy who the team signed to an extension in the middle of the year. He also brought in the team’s only true power hitter in Mark Reynolds and dealt an older injury prone relief pitcher (Koji Uehara) for a starting pitcher (Tommy Hunter) and first/third baseman (Chris Davis). It’s difficult to root for a team that isn’t good. It’s especially difficult to root for a team that hasn’t been good in over a decade. But us loyal fans keep coming back time and time again even though the O’s continue to break our hearts every season, usually by the All-Star break. What keeps us rooting for the O’s, besides the promise of every new season, are the players we have grown to love. Obviously, we want to like every player on the team, but for whatever reason, there are always a few guys that we like more than others. It could be the position they play, how well they perform on the field, how they conduct themselves off the field, or for you girls out there, how cute you think they are. We get attached to these guys and we hate to see them leave even if it is in their best interest to play somewhere else. And with free agency being what it is today, it’s nothing to see a guy play for four or five different teams throughout his career. This season the O’s have traded away first baseman Derrek Lee and reliever Koji Uehara to the Pirates and Rangers, respectively. Lee wasn’t here long enough for us to create any type of fan-player relationship, but Koji became somewhat of a fan favorite over the two-plus years he was with the club. He was noticeably upset when he found out he was being traded to Texas and said that even though it was gratifying that a contender wanted him, he was going to miss Baltimore. READ MORE >>>
Juan Rivera (LAD)- He plays mostly everyday now and has been getting a lot of hits. If your in a very deep league or an NL only league he isn’t a bad backup OF. He’s always had pop. All he needed was playing time. Expect a low AVG with a couple HR and a nice hit total. Travis Snider now gets to play everyday in Toronto. Long term he’s a good guy to have, but he’s still only 23 years old so don’t expect much this year. Francisco Rodriguez (MIL)- He is no longer the closer. Axford is. So cut K-Rod unless holds is one of your categories. Mark Teahen (TOR)- I’ve always liked Teahen. Maybe it’s because I like Canadian players. He will get more playing time in Toronto but will split time with Edwin Encarnacion. He isn’t a good option anymore. Edwin Jackson (STL)- Dave Duncan is the best pitching coach in the game so anyone under him sees a boost in ERA. Jackson will get good run support, his ERA will drop, and he will get you an above average number of K’s, as usual. If he’s for some reason available I would pick him up. If you own him be happy about that.
Uehara pitched a 1-2-3 inning in which he threw 8 pitches, 7 of which were strikes. Two of Koji’s outs were strikeouts, one of which was to Jose Bautista. It’s good to see Koji having success with the Rangers already. I certainly hope it continues and will keep Orioles fans updated with our Koji Watch here on BSR.
In his interview following the transaction, Koji reminded me that this game is more than just a business, that it involves real people and affects real families. Here was a guy who uprooted his family from Japan to come to America and play baseball at the highest level. He choose to live in Baltimore year round and on his way out even told the fans that he was sorry for the injuries he suffered during his three years in an Orioles uniform. Seeing Koji cry reminded me of an important and often overlooked part of baseball, the human element. The Orioles were his first American team and likely the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. It must be difficult for that chapter to come to an end. Koji was definitely loved by the fans in Baltimore and his passion and fire with his teammates will certainly be missed here. Texas is getting one of the hottest relievers in the game and even more than that a great teammate and guy. For that reason, I will be rooting to for the Rangers in the postseason in hopes of seeing Koji get a ring. To me, no one deserves one more than a guy who was truly upset to part ways with a team and city that clearly meant so much to him.
The Orioles have just traded Koji Uehara to the Texas Rangers for starting pitcher Tommy Hunter and first baseman Chris Davis. Hunter is a 25 year old starter who was 13-4 with a 3.73 ERA last season, and 1-1 with a 2.93 ERA out of the bullpen this year. Hunter was injured to begin this year and because of the stability of the Texas rotation there was no room for him to be in the rotation. Hunter has plenty of upside, experience, and looks to be a solid #2-#3 starter at the big league level. He has great stuff and doesn’t give up many runs. He is not a strikeout pitcher, but has good command. Chris Davis was considered to have 40 homerun power 2 years ago. He was a big time prospect and sleeper, but has struggled to reach expectations in Texas. He has never really been given the chance to start for an entire year to try to break out. Davis is still only 25 years old and if he reaches potential he is an Adam Dunn type of player. He has a whole lot of power, hits for a low average, and strikes out a lot. His tremendous upside for power makes this a huge win for the Orioles. In 2009 he already reached 21 homeruns in only 113 games. When he hits his prime he should be a lock for 30+ homers. Davis isn’t very good defensively so you have to imagine the Orioles will still target free agents in the offseason like Prince Fielder. Davis could be a potential DH in that situation. Very good deal for the Orioles getting an established pitcher who already had success, and a high upside powerful young 1B. (Did I mention I speculated on both of these guys this past week in my trade articles? Here and Here) Confirmed by MLBTradeRumors There will be no Jeremy Guthrie trade with Detroit. The Tigers were the favorite to acquire Guthrie at the deadline, but reports say that the Orioles were not happy with what Detroit was offering. Just this afternoon the Tigers acquired starter Doug Fister and former Oriole David Pauley for Charlie Furbush, Casper Wells, and third base prospect Francisco Martinez. Furbush was a name that I mentioned in all of my Orioles trade rumors articles this past week that could have been included in trades for multiple O’s players. With the Tigers now having Cy Young contender Justin Verlander, young ace Max Scherzer, the red hot Rick Porcello, the newly acquired Doug Fister, and veteran Brad Penny, they no longer have room for Guthrie. If O’s fans were hoping to acquire the young potential ace Andy Oliver there is only hope left in a Koji Uehara deal. After Guthrie’s great start last night and the poor outing of Mariners starter Erik Bedard, more teams are rumored to be interested in Guthrie instead of Bedard. The Cardinals and Red Sox are now the favorites to acquire Guthrie. For more on what the Orioles could get from those teams click here.
Pittsburgh Pirates- The Pirates have been tied to Koji for weeks and have plenty that they can give up for him. The most likely deal would involve Brad Lincoln who already has major league experience. The 26 year old was the Pirates first round pick in 2006. His major league numbers will scare you, but you have to remember that he pitched for the bad Pirates last year. He certainly has upside being a 1st rounder and he has had a few nice games at the big league level. Another young arm would certainly help. Ross Ohlendorf is also a possibility since he no longer fits into the rotation. He has battled injuries all year but he has a lot of major league experience. He has always been a victim of tough luck with no run support and he strikes out a lot of batters. Daniel Moskos was the #4 overall pick in the 2007 draft, one spot in front of Wieters. He was a pick that Pittsburgh now regrets as he isn’t seen as anything more than a relief pitcher. He was in the Pirates bullpen for most of this season but is now back in the minors. I think Pittsburgh would trade a future bullpen arm for a bullpen arm that will help them win now. 7 of their 10 Baseball America organizational prospects are pitchers. Jameson Taillon is the only one who is untouchable. That means that minor leaguers Stetson Allie, Luis Heredia, Bryan Morris, Rudy Owens, Jeff Locke, and Zack Von Rosenberg could all be available. With a crowded outfield they could also deal their #4 overall prospect Starling Marte. Owens may be the one who is most tradable because he is in AAA. He is 35-24 with a 3.31 ERA in the minors. I really think Brad Lincoln would be the guy traded in this deal though. There have been a lot of shakeups in recent weeks in the closer role across baseball, and there is plenty more to come with the trade deadline around the corner. For those of you who are in need of saves or will soon be in need of saves after your closer is dealt to another team, here is the current closing situations in baseball, what you can expect in the future, and what would happen if injuries occur. Arizona Diamondbacks- David Hernandez- Yes the former Oriole David Hernandez that our bullpen would love to have right now. (The Mark Reynolds deal was a good one for the O’s though.) Hernandez is a perfect 7/7 in save opportunities since closer JJ Putz went on the DL. Putz is currently rehabbing and is expected back next week. It’s too late to pick up Hernandez now, and he will only have value if Putz isn’t the same after his injury or gets injured again. Since the D-Backs are in contention Putz isn’t going anywhere. Atlanta Braves- Craig Kimbrel- He’s been amazing all year. He’s in a three horse race for rookie of the year with teammate Freddie Freeman and Danny Espinosa. Jonny Venters is the best setup man in baseball, but Kimbrel has pitched well enough to hold the closer’s role over him. I do not expect Kimbrel to struggle or to lose that role so you can forget about stashing Venters for later this season. Baltimore Orioles- Kevin Gregg- In his latest outing he was pulled in the 9th and Michael Gonzalez finished the 9th. The job is still Gregg’s for now (some how) so Gonzalez is not a good option. Even if Gonzalez was the closer he still wouldn’t be a good option since he is the worst relief pitcher in baseball. Koji Uehara obviously should be closing, but may not be with the team after the trade deadline. Here is my big prediction. IF Koji is still with the team after the deadline I believe he moves into the closing role. He is a risky add right now because of the uncertainty of where he will be. If he is traded he surely won’t be a closer elsewhere. If he is still an Oriole on August 1st he is worth adding and taking a chance on if your desperate for a closer. That’s right folks, the Pittsburgh Pirates and going to be buyers at the trade deadline. Heading into the fall Pittsburgh will be looking to add some bullpen help to their staff and Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports has tied Baltimore reliever Koji Uehara to the Pirates organization. MLBTradeRumors.com reported the rumor on Tuesday, citing Koji’s $4 million option next season as a reason he could be moved.
In speaking with our trade deadline/farm system expert, Mark Brown, I was informed that the Pirates have four guys among the Baseball America top 100. Bryan Morris (no. 6), Rudy Owens (no. 7), Jeff Locke (no. 8 ) and Zack Von Rosenberg (no. 9). He doesn’t think the top three will be moved. Mark will give us a full breakdown of the Orioles trade candidates and the organization’s potential return in a series next week. What should the Orioles expect to get back in return for one of their best bullpen arms? While players generally do not start in more than two or three games in a row during Spring Training, therefore generally having multiple off days during the month, the Orioles as a whole have no game(s) today, meaning that the entire team has the chance to relax for the first time since arriving in mid-February. Whether they choose to work out, play catch, hit BP, sleep in, or spend time with family, here are the notes I have compiled from the Orioles first and only off day of the spring:
His right elbow is what has kept him out of so many games over the past few seasons, but hopefully he won’t miss any significant time with it this season. The 35-year-old right-hander received a cortisone injection in his elbow a few days ago, but said he wasn’t concerned about it and expected to be able to pitch “within a week.” Hopefully he’s right because the O’s are going to need him this season to sure up the back end of their bullpen.
Uehara received a cortison shot in his elbow, but told Zrebiec it was just precautionary and that he expects to be back on the mound in a week. ”It’s not even serious,” Uehara said via his translator. “I’m not concerned about it.” Matusz’s news seems even less serious, as he will fly to Philadelphia to have a wart removed from the middle finger of his pitching hand. Buck Showalter told Zrebiec that this removal process is minor. ”We don’t want this thing to be something that really shows its head up in the middle of the season and now he misses more than one start, or even a start in the season,” Showalter said on Orioles Insider. “It won’t be anything that he couldn’t come back from.” |
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