I'm bored and stuck in my house. As such, it's hard so say how many updates CC will get this weekend, not to mention that I'm telling you right now there is no accounting for substance in this situation. I never thought I'd say this, y'all, but I am freaking tired of snow. So, with all of that laid before you, I present the landing spots of your former Baltimore Orioles.
In 2009 there were 48 players who made an appearance with the Baltimore Orioles. Some of those will be back with the team this year, some will be in the O's minor league system, and 15 of them have moved on. For some reason I always enjoy looking at the player pages to see our former Orioles in their new team caps courtesy of photo shop.
Danys Baez - Birdland rejoiced when the 2009 season ended and we could finally close the book on this joker. He attempted to redeem himself in his final season but it was too little, too late. In 2010 Danys Baez will be in the bullpen for the National League champion Phillies as he signed a 2 year, $5.25M contract with them in January.
Brian Bass - He actually wasn't half bad in the bullpen in 2009 but losing him is no real hardship. Bass signed a minor league deal with the Pirates with an invite to Spring Training. I'm betting he has a good shot to make the team and then Pittsburgh will know the joys of the fish pump.
Adam Eaton - I feel entirely comfortable labeling Eaton as the crappiest pitcher to put on an Orioles uniform in 2009, and that's saying something considering they let Bob McCrory suit up for a few games. After being released by the O's in May Eaton signed a minor league contract with the Rockies and appeared in 4 games for them down the stretch (where he walked 8 batters in 8 IP. Well done!). Shockingly, Eaton is currently a free agent.
Jeff Fiorentino - Screech spent 6 seasons in the Orioles system as the "in case of emergency" OF. He's moved on to greener pastures, though, as he signed with the Hiroshima Carp for 50M yen.
Ryan Freel - Freel played 27 games with 3 teams in 2009 which seems like it should be a record of some sort. Upon his release by the Royals in August he signed a minor league deal with the Rangers but never saw any time with them. He is currently a free agent.
Sean Henn - Relief pitcher Sean Henn only appeared in 6 games with the Orioles in 2009 but he was pretty awful. He joins the growing list of ragtag of ex-Orioles to join up with the Toronto Blue Jays. The Jays claimed him off waivers from the Orioles back in October.
Rich Hill - While the Rich Hill experiment wasn't a success, I still stand behind the premise. If it had worked out the Orioles would be in great shape, and it's not like his disasterous picthing is what kept the O's out of the playoffs. Hill is returning to the National League with the Cardinals. The deal is a minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training. Sadly there are no pictures of Hill in a Cardinals hat.
Aubrey Huff - Huff's time in Baltimore was interesting, to say the least. Signed prior to the 2007 season he was given a big press conference and touted as a major free agent signing. It was kind of weird. Three years later Huff left the O's in a trade to the Tigers. His Baltimore legacy consists of one great year, two mediocre years, an ill-advised appearance on a radio talk show, and one awesome shirt at FanFest. Huff is the kind of guy you'd like to invite to a cookout, not the guy you want on your baseball team, but no one told Brian Sabean.
Radhames Liz - Liz only appeared in two games for the Orioles in 2009 but we all remember his 17 starts in 2008. People had big hopes for Liz but he never really showed me much. He did pitch a good game at Wrigley Field with me in attendance, so that's something. Liz was claimed off of waiver by the Padres in November.
Melvin Mora - Memlo I apologize for forgetting you! Perhaps I'm just not ready to let you go. I hope you enjoy Colorado. You'll be in the Orioles Hall of Fame one year and I shall give you a nice ovation. I do have to admit that it's very bizarre seeing him in a Rockies cap.
Bob McCrory - After the way McCrory pitched in 2008 I couldn't believe they gave him another chance in 2009. He only lasted 7 games in which he walked 10 and gave up 14 earned runs in 7.1 innings. McCrory had signed with the Red Sox but his contract was rescinded when he failed his physical after undergoing labrum surgery. He's currently without a team.
Chris Ray - Traded for Kevin Millwood, Ray is now a Ranger. I always liked Chris Ray even as he suffered through injuries and ineffectiveness, probably just because he's been around so long. I hope he does well but I'm not sad to see him go.
Oscar Salazar - Traded to the Padres for Cla Meredith, Oscar is an easy guy to root for. He can play a lot of positions, he hits for some power, and he's put in a lot of time in the minors. He's really a good guy to have on the bench and I sort of miss him. Salazar's finest moment as an Oriole was when he hit the three run HR on June 30th to spark the comeback on Birdland Day against the Red Sox.
Jamie Walker - Poor Jamie Walker. When he lost it, he lost it. Signed to an ill advised three year contract, Jamie made us all crazy in most of 2008 and all of 2009 until his release in June. He's currently listed as a Free Agent but I think that Jamie, along with the rest of us, knows that his time is up. I hope he and Koji keep in touch.
Chris Waters - Holy Waters gave us a few good times, don't you think? He was a good guy to stash in the minors and bring up for a start or two when needed. Water signed a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers and I think it's a great move for him. He could actually succeed in the NL Central.
