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)

2009 Orioles Prediction

The Orioles will begin the 2009 regular season believing that they actually are on the right track. This is not an unfamiliar mindset. It seems that almost every season, the Orioles sell a sense of false hope to their fans when in reality the Orioles ship is unguided and heading in the wrong direction. What makes things different this time around? When it comes down to it, not much. The team will probably finish 20 or so games under .500 and they will struggle to fill up the best ballpark in baseball. However most fans, including myself, truly believe that the Orioles' ship is guided and headed in the right direction. Andy MacPhail (pictured) has the proven track record and appropriate mentality while the team's prospects are starting to line up. MacPhail has said that fans need to give it time. Time that is starting to run out on my clock, and the clocks of thousands of die hard fans. When it comes down to it, what choice do O's fans have? We need to stick through the tough times knowing that the possibility for extended success is within reach.


Here are my predictions for the 2009 season:

Orioles Record: 70-92 (5th place)

Team MVP: Nick Markakis. There is no doubt in my mind that Markakis will continue to develop in multiple areas this year. Last year, he blossomed into one of the best right fielders in baseball. Why can't he blossom into one of the most solid hitters in baseball as well?

Biggest Bust: Melvin Mora. Mora shocked the entire organization during the second half last season but I can't expect that burst to continue. He is 37 years old and I suspect he won't be able to sustain the grind of a 162 game season.

Most surprising player: Koji Uehara (pictured). He comes to the Orioles with no experience playing in the United States but that may not necessarily be a bad thing. Very proven and successful in Japan, Uehara has something new to bring to the Orioles organization. His bevvy of pitches and location control should go a long way this season.

Rookie of the Year: Matt Wieters. There is no need to comment further on his oozing potential and indication that the club is headed in the right direction with this prodigy.

Bold Predictions: Adam Jones bats .310 and Alfredo Simon records 13 wins. Jamie Walker gets demoted or put on waivers after two months with an ERA over 7.00.

Expect a new post about once a week during the regular season.

Why the Ravens should go after Plaxico

Here's what the Ravens need on offense: a receiver who can go up and catch any pass from Joe Flacco. Plaxico Burress has proven that he is one of the most capable large recievers in the NFL. What the Ravens don't need is someone who may cause off-field distractions. The Giants signed Plaxico knowing that he occasionally got into scuffles or trouble. Until his absurd shooting incident, Burress stayed out of trouble and rarely feuded with Eli Manning or Tom Coughlin.

I'm pretty sure that Ray Lewis would whip Plaxico into shape if he caused any problems for the Ravens. I"m also pretty sure that John Harbaugh has taken full control over his team and wouldn't let someone like Burress cause any trouble. However I understand that it may be nice for Flacco to have a young wide receiver to develop with. The Ravens most dire need is at cornerback and Ozzie Newsome may want to have the first round pick to go after a defensive player. If the Ravens sign Burress, they wouldn't have to go for a wide receiver in the first round.

Either way, the Ravens are going to be taking a gamble. Either they risk using a low first round pick to go after an unproven but potentially effective WR or they go after one of the best WR's in the game with off the field issues. What would you rather the Ravens do?