Sunday Bird Droppings

by zknower on Aug 30, 2009 5:45 AM EDT in Open Threads Comment 18 comments

It's late Saturday night, I just got home from a lovely dinner party (with a lotta wine), and I'm of no mood to go a-huntin' for links. So thanks to monsieur duck for providing the following:

Alas, cars at OPaCY are safe... Joey Gathright traded to BoSox
The Orioles have traded Joey Gathright from Triple-A Norfolk to Triple-A Pawtucket, the Boston Red Sox's top affiliate, for a PTBNL or cash. Gathright was batting .329 with 11 doubles, two triples, 20 RBIs and 24 stolen bases in 80 games at Norfolk. The Orioles acquired him from the Chicago Cubs on May 8 for Ryan Freel.

There's proof the O's are making progress -- baltimoresun.com
This could be the beginning of another big September swoon, but this tough stretch also could turn out to be an important juncture in the rebuilding process. The young O's still have a lot to learn, and the next few weeks could be an education for all of us - one way or the other.

Ever want to work retail in baseball? Here's your chance.
The Tides and Admirals have announced today that the following employment position is currently available: Merchandise Manager. This is a full time salaried position with the Norfolk Tides (Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles) and the Norfolk Admirals (AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning).

Candidates Night at the Keys
On Wednesday, September 2nd candidates from each side of the aisle are coming to Harry Grove Stadium for a night of on-field games and festivities as the Keys host the Kinston Indians at 7:00 p.m. City of Frederick Mayoral candidates Jennifer Dougherty (Democrat), Jason Judd (Democrat), Randy McClement (Republican), Chris Simpson (Democrat), and Ron Tobin (Republican) will be present. At least 13 Alderman Candidates will also be present representing Democrats and Republicans for the upcoming election.

Delmarva Shorebirds: News: Article
On Friday, September 4th take part in the Delmarva Power Carnival of Caring Day at Perdue Stadium. That evening charities from across the Shore will be set-up along the 2nd level concourse encouraging fans to visit their tables, play their carnival game and learn more about how they can get involved to help make a difference.

The Schmuck Stops Here: Orioles: Jones and the silver lining
Adam Jones continues to rehab his sore back, which represents a significant loss of run-production potential, but might actually be a positive thing for the club on a couple of levels. The injury has forced manager Dave Trembley to play Felix Pie every day in center field, which -- even with his mistake-marred Tuesday night performance -- has given Pie a chance to demonstrate how much he has progressed since the start of the season.

This is your Open Thread. Place it in water and it will grow to 600 times its normal size.

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anyone going to the game today?

"Hey ump, how about a warning? Sure. Watch out you don't get killed". -Moonlight Graham talking to an umpire after two straight pitches at his head

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Aug 30, 2009 9:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm dissapointed we traded Gathright.

I was looking forward to seeing him in the majors as a september callup.

"All major leaguers can see the ball and hit it. But what separates the great ones is that they can see the ball and hit it were they want to hit it."

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Aug 30, 2009 10:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

car-jumping joke aside, why?

by kba26 on Aug 30, 2009 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i don't know why

to be honest

"All major leaguers can see the ball and hit it. But what separates the great ones is that they can see the ball and hit it were they want to hit it."

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Aug 30, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I honestly believe it was a numbers game

Both money they would have to pay Gathright at AAA ($800K) and personnel (Pie, Jones, Markakis, Montanez and Reimold). The O’s are looking for corner infield help until Bell earns a spot at 3rd. It makes sense and opens up room for Tucker, Figurora Twins, and Brandon Waring if they move him to the outfield.

Success in 2010. Playoffs in 2011. Go Orioles!

by Baysox39 on Aug 30, 2009 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

they would have had to pay him 800k to play at AAA???????

by O'sFan21 on Aug 30, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's on a 1yr/.8M dollar contract from the cubs

Thats largely the reason we got him for Ryan Freel, it was trading one bad contract for another

by kba26 on Aug 30, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ugh yeah then good deal - no point in paying somebody that much to play at AAA

by O'sFan21 on Aug 30, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well, unless it's steven strasburg

"The single best thing any rebuilding manager can do, ever, is trade a relief pitcher in late July for a couple of solid prospects."
— Rob Neyer, July 30, 2009

by zknower on Aug 30, 2009 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know if that was the consideration

I thought I remembered reading on Roch’s blog when they made the Freel trade and got Gathright that it was going to be salary neutral – meaning the Cubs would continue to pay Gathright and the Orioles would continue to pay Freel.

It is possible I’m remembering wrong, or misunderstood what Roch was trying to say about “salary neutral”, though.

Cry havoc and unleash the Esskay hot dogs of war! - The Wayward Oriole, Opening Day 2008

by Eat More Esskay on Aug 30, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We gave the cubs money too in order to balance the salaries, Freel was making a lot more than 800k

Taking back gathright’s large contract meant we had to pay less to even the trade out.

by kba26 on Aug 30, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

are you speculating the PTBML is a corner IF?

"The single best thing any rebuilding manager can do, ever, is trade a relief pitcher in late July for a couple of solid prospects."
— Rob Neyer, July 30, 2009

by zknower on Aug 30, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

no

i would question the quality of that corner IF considering it’s gathright we traded. i mean, ryan freel was a corner IF too….

by twistedlogic on Aug 30, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Battle of the Jakes

Not sure if it was mentioned in last nights game thread, so I will take this chance to mention that we lost the AAA match up pitting the Jakes (Peavy and Arietta) against one-another.

Neither pitcher performed particularly well, which is unfortunate being that our Jake (as mentioned before by Stacey) was coming off a string of impressive starts. Double-digit hits allowed in less than 5 innings, resulting in four runs allowed (two earned) isn’t quite what we were hoping for.

There could be a possible rematch in the future…assuming Arietta cracks the majors and Peavy sticks with the White Sox. Beware Southsiders…next time will be very different!

by sickuvitall on Aug 30, 2009 11:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I read this in the times dis mornin'

The Top Hitter
Nolan Reimold, OF, Orioles
.274, 12 H.R., 39 R.B.I.
Reimold leads A.L. rookies in home runs and on-base plus slugging percentage. His .274 average is tied with the White Sox’ Gordon Beckham for first. On pace for 16 home runs and 11 stolen bases, Reimold has been steady, not spectacular, and at 25 should have room to grow.

"Chicks who dig home runs aren’t the ones who appeal to me," he said. "I think there’s sexiness in infield hits because they require technique. I’d rather impress the chicks with my technique than with my brute strength. Then, every now and then, just to show I can do that, too, I might flirt a little by hitting one out."

by WestcoastO'sFan on Aug 30, 2009 1:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I didnt see the game last night.

Can someone tell me how Tillman was and how the rain delay effected Chris Ray, because Ray has been so good of late. Also it appears Adam Jones is ok, with all those great plays.

by WestcoastO'sFan on Aug 30, 2009 1:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

the delay didn’t affect Ray at all as he wasn’t in until after it, but the rain may have. It was pouring pretty hard when he gave up the bomb and a wet ball is not fun to try to throw sliders with (for some reason that’s mostly what he threw even though it was flat and ugly).

by O'sFan21 on Aug 30, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs