Saturday’s Bird Droppings: Where the Orioles are stuck in an elevator

Morning, Birdland!

There’s gonna be days like. The Orioles are going to lose, possibly in a fashion that Manny Machado could have prevented. Then, you are going to scurry to the box scores and see that Machado had a great night at the plate for a team that doesn’t play in Baltimore. It happened last night as the orange birds fell to the blue birds 8-7 in extra innings. Alex recapped it all for us. Machado, meanwhile, was 2-for-3 with two walks in a 6-4 victory for the Dodgers.

It will be OK.

Based on comments coming from both Dan Duquette and now Buck Showalter, this is going to be a full rebuild. That means the major league roster will be in flux, the minor league system is going to be revamped and the organization will get a face lift. It’s very much needed.

Of course, that means some rough days are ahead at the highest level. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. We hope.

Links

Adam Jones, Chris Davis of Orioles get stuck in elevator following game - USA Today
Of course this happened. At the same time that Manny Machado was getting on base in Arizona during his Dodgers debut, his former teammates were attempting to pry open an elevator in Canada with their bare hands.

Trade Interest In Zach Britton Has “Picked Up Steam” - MLBTradeRumors
This will probably be the next shoe to drop in Baltimore. It’s not clear if there is any cross over in the teams interested in Zach Britton and the clubs vying for Mets reliever Jeurys Familia. It sounds like Familia is about the be traded. Once that happens, Britton could move quickly.

After Machado trade, Orioles will still be deliberate in transforming major league roster - Baltimore Sun
This is an important point to remember. Just because the O’s are starting a rebuild does not mean the high profile prospects will be making their way to Baltimore right away. There is no reason to rush them. This season is lost and no one can save it.

What the California League success new Orioles prospects says about future - Baltimore Sun
It bodes well for the two pitchers but throws some doubt into the performance of the one infielder. All three of them are going to be challenged in Double-A Bowie right away.

Orioles’ Jonathan Schoop is left with a case of the Dodger blues - Baltimore Sun
The quotes in here from Schoop are really interesting. They had a close friendship, yes. But it seems like Manny really pushed the second baseman professionally as well. It could be an interesting offseason for both as Machado will hit free agency and Schoop may be on the trade market.

Orioles birthdays and history

Is it your birthday? Happy Birthday!

It is also the birthday of Wei-Yin Chen (b. 1985) who pitched to a 3.72 ERA from 2012 through 2015 with the O’s. Willie Eyre (b. 1978) celebrates as well; he had a 3.44 ERA in 18.1 innings for the 2011 team. Mark Williamson (b. 1959) spent eight seasons on the Baltimore pitching staff from 1987 to 1994, amassing a 3.86 ERA in that time. Moe Drabowsky (b.1935, d. 2006) was a reliever in town from 1966 to 1968, and later in 1970, and put together a 2.33 ERA in 286 innings.

Finally, we would be remiss to forget about former All-Star Orioles shortstop and current MASN color commentator Mike Bordick (b. 1965), who turns 53 today. From 1997 to 2002, Bordick slashed .260/.319/.394 for the Birds, but he was more known for his reliable glove than his work with the lumber. He was also the trade chip sent to the Mets during the 2000 season that netted the O’s Melvin Mora, one of the more under-the-radar lop-sided trades in the team’s history.

Other notable birthdays: Jon Lovitz (1957), Brandi Chastain (1968), Geoff Jenkins (1974), David Carr (1979), CC Sabathia (1980) and DeAndre Jordan (1988).

1996 - The Orioles re-acquire Eddie Murray by trading Kent Mercker to the Cleveland Indians.

2000 - A 9-5 win over the Blue Jays snaps the Orioles’ 20-game losing streak of games played in Canada against both Toronto and the Montreal Expos.