Now that Spring Training has started in earnest, with all Orioles having reported to Sarasota, it’s time once again for our O’s Links to kick into gear. In general, these will run on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, but the odd day (like today, while I’m on vacation in the Florida Keys with a sick wife and some time to kill) will pop up here and there. To the links!
In Tough AL East, Don’t Count Out O’s
Richard Justice of MLB.com says that the Birds love being counted out, as many are doing to them yet again this spring. He points to their solid core of leadership, strong bullpen, and lack of any glaring weakness as reasons that they could yet again contend for an AL East title.
Three Other, More Subtle, Yovani Gallardo Trends
We’ve all heard about the big Gallardo trends – his velocity and K/9 rate are down, and his WHIP is up. Ok, so what else? Jeff Sullivan of FanGraphs explores three other trends about Gallardo throwing a baseball that could could predict bad – or good – things for the newest O’s hurler. Make of it what you will.
What to Know About Dexter Fowler
Speaking of Gallardo, what about the other “half” of this whole punting-the-draft package, outfielder Dexter Fowler. This article by Matt Kremnitzer of Camden Depot is a few days old, but in case you missed it, go take a look and learn a little more about the guy you’re probably hoping to hear that the Orioles have inked next.
Bird’s Eye View Episode 152: Fowler Fair
Jake & Scott are back with Episode 152, and are joined by the ever-optimistic (unless Dan Duquette is the topic) Jabby Burns. Give a listen as the guys talk Fowler, AL East, dark horse candidates to make the roster, and of course, blow the save.
Jose Bautista is a Jerk to His Own Team, Too
Not so much a link about the Orioles as about a villain in our orange universe, this story by Gregor Chisolm of MLB.com details how “Joey Jogs” is just as much of an a-hole to his own team as he is to everybody else once the subject of a hometown discount comes up. (Also, do me a favor and don’t remind me about this when Adam Jones, or Manny Machado, or whoever, says something similar in a few years. Thanks.)
