Spring Training Round-Up 03/06

Another glorious day for baseball, and back to back losses for the Birds. Our #3 & #4 starters pitched and we weren't able to come up with wins. These are the games that the good teams will find ways to win, but we are young and we will find our stride soon enough.

Steve Trachsel's outting was pretty good for Trachsel standards. 2 ER over 3 IP, 6 base runners, a walk and a strike out. If he can make his starts between 5-6IP, 3 ER or less this year, then it is a great start for Trachsel. I have to give it up to the vet for coming back to this team. He knows he's a stop gap and probably going to get traded again, but he was willing to come back and be the veteran presence we wanted.

Daniel Cabrera was much different from before, and most Orioles fans new it was only a matter of time before we would see it. I am glad it happened the start after his good one because I want to see if he can bounce back with another quality outting. Anyway, you can't jump completely on Cabrera's case as 2 of the 5 runs scored in the first inning were earned. Hopefully, he rebounds but he did his job to ground the hope of some that saw his first performance. I predict he will be better than last year, and Kranitz will help him.

Mike Costanzo is Scott Moore light. Ok, maybe he's like Version B. Anyway, Mike had a great game and has looked good in his last 2 games. He is showing his ability to hit home runs and his versatility with the ability to play the corners, and how he is a little behind on the catching. I guess that's to be expected. He's doing whatever he can to make the team but there is nothing he can do except hope Scott Moore falls off the planet. They both are lefty swingers who play the same positions. Costanzo is on a minor league deal, so he loses by default. Hopefully, we'll see him soon in Baltimore later this year.

Props to the bullpen for backing up Steve Trachsel with 6 scoreless innings. Sherrill, Bradford, Cormier (yeah... I know, I was shocked too), Deza (still shocked), Bob McCrory (no one is surprised), and Greg Aquino. The last name is the one I want to highlight. I know a lot of people are pulling for Hoey to get a spot in the bullpen, but I believe Aquino will land the role as he will give the Orioles a veteran closer should Sherrill fallout. Hoey struggled last year in his call-up, and I believe with all the arms that he'll be kept in AAA and be one of the first to get a call to the show. Aquino and Hoey are pitching really well this spring training, so it should be a story to follow.

Tike Redman is someone I pull for because he played hard last year and proved he deserves a big league job. The problem is that he's another left handed swinger. Yes, he can play centerfield, but so can Jay Payton and his right handed bat off the bench is more valuable than another set of legs. He is batting .300 this spring and playing well, but without a move of Jay Payton, I am having problems finding a spot on the bench for him. If Scott Moore is looked at as the much better offensive option than Brandon Fahey for utility man, then Redman may make it as a pinch runner and spelling of Adam Jones in center.

Back-up catcher update... Guillermo Quiroz is winning. By a lot. He is batting .545 and showing good promise. Chris Heintz is batting .231 while Ben Davis is batting a whopping .091. Trembley always says, if you can hit, we'll find a spot for you on the team. Well, Quiroz can hit.

Dennis Sarfate took his news about being on the major league team in stride, came out, and pitched 1.2 innings, gave up 1 hit, 1 BB, and 1 K of scoreless baseball. I hope I am right and he lands a late inning set-up role.

Last part of the entry, the Scott Moore Update. He's got a slight abdominal strain and will need a few more days. My take on this is he needed to take some time off to heal from the burns because he was one of the hottest O's this spring.

Anyway, back to the grind. As always, you can ask any questions.