Where are they now?

The Orioles completed a lackluster week splitting two series with the Rays and Royals. This week I'll give you a look into how former Orioles of the past couple seasons are performing (or not performing).

SP Daniel Cabrera, Washington Nationals (released by the Orioles in 2008). Not much has changed for this wild work in progress (click the link, it's amusing). Through 9 starts, he is 0-6 with a 6.70 ERA. Daniel has walked 32 batters while only striking out 19 opponents. The Nationals have lost every single time Cabrera takes the mound. But wait, it gets better! At the plate, the nonathletic Cabrera has an on-base percentage of .214 due to 2 base on balls. His batting average for his career is still stuck at .000 but his current on base percentage is 214 points higher than his on base percentage with the Orioles. Keep in mind that he struck out all 15 times he came to bat for the O's. Bottom Line: the Orioles made the right decision by moving on without this wildly inconsistent project. Even he wouldn't be welcome in the Orioles deplorable rotation.

1B Kevin Millar, Toronto Blue Jays (released in 2008). The former clubhouse leader of the O's is currently taking a more secondary role with the Blue Jays, backing up first basemen Lyle Overbay. Milar is batting .281 with 1 HR and 12 RBIs in 64 ABs. Bottom Line: The Orioles clubhouse is without a clear cut leader due to the loss of Millar. On the other hand, Millar's vacancy has allowed the Orioles to put the defensively solid Aubrey Huff at 1B, allowing Luke Scott and Ty Wiggington to fill the DH role, permitting prospects like Felix Pie and Nolan Reimold to get the necessary experience in the outfield to develop.

SP Erik Bedard, Seattle Mariners (traded in 2007 for Adam Jones, George Sherrill, Chris Tillman, Tony Butler, and Kameron Mickolio). Hampered by injuries in 2008, the lethal lefty started 15 games recording a 6-4 record to go along with a respectable 3.67 ERA for the Mariners. So far this season, Bedard is 2-1 with a 2.53 ERA through 7 starts. He was recently scratched from starting due to a hamstring problem, the same problem he had while pitching for the O's in 2007. Bottom Line: Although Bedard hasn't been a dissapointment for the Mariners, it's looking like the trade in 2007 may go down as one of the best trades in Orioles history.

SS Miguel Tejada, Houston Astros (traded in 2007 for Luke Scott, Troy Patton, Dennis Sarfate, Matt Albers, and Michael Costanzo). The change of scenery that Miguel Tejada requested two years ago did not work out too well for the former MVP. Last year, Tejada batted .283 with a mere 13 HRs and 66 RBIs in 158 games amid steroid allegations. This season, his average has increased to .313 but he has only 2 HRs through 36 games. Earlier this year, Tejada was charged with lying to Congress about his usage of performance enhancing drugs. As a result, Tejada is serving a one year probation. There is no doubt that the Astros are disappointed with his production on and off the field especially considering the amount they gave up to the Orioles. Bottom Line: Much like the result of the Bedard trade, the Orioles have seemed to come away the better end of the deal.

OF Jay Gibbons, free agent (cut during 2008 spring training). Jay Gibbons has been on quite a tour since being released by the O's. In the past couple years, the former underachieving slugger has played for the non-MLB affiliated Long Island Ducks (pictured), Hunstville Stars (Milwaukee Brewers AA affilliate), Nashville Sounds (Brewers AAA), and currently the non-MLB affiliated Newark Bears. Mixed in there is a non-roster invite to the Florida Marlins spring training camp. Talk about an abrupt fall. You'd think that he would tear up the minors and these non-MLB affiliated clubs. But sadly, he's batting a depressing .209 for the Newark Bears. The Bears are somewhat of a cess pool for washed up Major League talent. Carl Everett, Rob Mackowiak, Keith Foulke, and Shawn Chacon are all currently playing for the Newark Bears. Bottom Line: Who cares? Unfortunately, the Orioles owe Gibbons $11.9 million over the 2008 and 2009 seasons.


More random O's of the past 6-7 years (just for kicks):
Sammy Sosa (his high expectations and atrocious results)
Sidney Ponson (the inconsistency and DUI's)
B.J. Ryan (legit closer)
Jeff Conine (plain)
Jerry Hairston Jr.
Gary Matthews Jr. (should've held onto him)
Marty Cordova (epitome of Orioles prospects, high expectations, poor results)
David Segui (the underachieving and contract that was recently paid off)
Albert Belle (scaring away trick-or-treaters)
Luis Matos (shades of Paul Blair in center field)
Bruce Chen (his 81 mph fastball)
Jorge Julio (his 100 mph fastball)
Jason Grimsley (steroids)
Tony Batista (his exaggerated open stance)
Jeff Fiorentino (his amazing start and subsequent downfall)
Fernando Tatis (the guy with 2 grand slams in the same inning)
Steve Kline (the balks)
Sal Fasano (the handlebar mustache)
Eric Byrnes (the hustle)
Walter Young (statistically the most obese baseball player in MLB history)