Thursday Thoughts: Manny Might Sign Long-Term, but Enjoy the Present

This is a weekly column that dives into eight random thoughts about the Orioles/MLB. Why eight? It’s a nod to Cal Ripken Jr. of course. That, and doing 2,632 of these would be a little overboard. – A.S.

1. Quotes came out earlier this week from Manny Machado that had Orioles fans buzzing. Speaking at his charity bowling event, Machado said things like “I bleed orange” and hinted that he wanted to be in Baltimore for the long haul.

I believe him. But I also know that this game is a business. Machado’s MVP-caliber start to the season has everyone talking about the future. For now, I’m enjoying the present. It is after all, a gift. Watching Machado play the way he has in an Orioles uniform is a joy. Machado is going to be handsomely paid, and I do mean handsomely. I have a gut feeling that it will be by the Orioles. Maybe it’s just something I ate, but something keeps telling me that the O’s will be the team to throw over $300-million in Machado’s way to keep him patrolling the left side of the infield for years to come.

3. Chris Tillman continues to walk a balance beam, but he’s doing it nicely. It’s refreshing to see his name jotted down in the list of probable pitchers for a series and know that the O’s have a nice chance to win that one. When Tillman’s breaking ball is working, he’s virtually un-hittable. When it’s a bit off, he’s still able to work both sides of the plate and get the job done.

I’ve been impressed with Tillman so far, but I’m curious as to whether or not this is going to be a full-season trend or one that fades in another month or so. His track record would tend to favor the latter. For now, he’s keeping away from the home run balls and striking out a decent amount of hitters. Let’s see how long it lasts.

3. Ubaldo Jimenez is not going to be cut. He’s not going to the minors. He is going to be a starting pitcher for now. Orioles fans have freaked out over Jimenez and his inconsistent starts, and I’m not really sure why. Hasn’t anyone watched this guy over the last few years? Inconsistent may as well be his middle name. One or two out of every five starts will look great, and the rest will stink.

I don’t get why fans think someone can just be cut, and all of the money on his contract eaten. It doesn’t make any sense. There isn’t anyone that is going to step in and be better, either. I root for Jimenez. He’s a standup guy who takes responsibility for the way he pitches. He’s not hiding after a poor performance. He answers the questions and takes the heat. He’s a guy who you know wants to be better. He wants to find consistency. It’s just a struggle at times.

GulfBird Sports/Craig Landefeld

4. If Brian Matusz is employed by the Orioles by the end of the month, I’d be a bit surprised. If he’s employed by them by the end of June, I’d be shocked. Matusz used to be the guy you could rely on to get lefties out. He’d come in against David Ortiz or Josh Hamilton with runners on, get the strike out, and walk back to the dugout like nothing happened. He was never really that great against right-handers, but now he can’t even get the left-handers out.

Matusz has been the most disappointing player on the team this year, and that includes Adam Jones (who has recently come out of his funk). Matusz should realize that there are going to be other options quickly. T.J. McFarland is a player the Orioles want on the big league roster. Don’t think he couldn’t replace Matusz in the coming weeks.

5. Yovani Gallardo appears to be slowly nearing a return to the big leagues. I didn’t think I’d feel this based on his start, but I’m looking forward to his return. The Orioles need all the help they can get in the rotation. Perhaps Gallardo’s awful start to the season really was based on his shoulder injury. He threw off flat ground yesterday and is scheduled to do the same today. He’ll then progress to the mound on Sunday.

Gallardo’s return could just be the addition of another Jimenez-like starter to the rotation, but that’s the worst case scenario. He could return and be effective. That would give the O’s options as to what to do with their starting pitching. If Jimenez’s struggles continue, he could see the bullpen. Mike Wright or Tyler Wilson could also slide back there. Having options is a good thing.

6. Watching Pedro Alvarez play third base has been weird to say the least. He was the one player coming into the season that you never wanted to see with a glove on his hand. Things have actually turned out better than expected. In his first start at third, Alvarez actually made some nice plays.

What’s forced Alvarez to play third is the surprisingly poor play of Paul Janish. Labeled as a no-offense, all-defense kind of player, Janish hasn’t done either. He’s looked less than impressive in the field, and has done nothing with the bat. I’d rather see Ryan Flaherty running around out there than Janish at this point. At least on occasion, Flaherty will run into one and put it on the flag court.

7. Jimmy Paredes has left the Orioles for bluer pastures. After the O’s placed him on waivers earlier this week, the Blue Jays claimed him, and he’s already had an impact for Toronto. Playing third base for the Jays last night, Paredes slugged a homer. Paredes had a nice first half of the season last year before falling off a cliff. Orioles fans will always be appreciative of his contributions, but it was time to move on. There was simply no room on the roster for him at this point.

It’s tough to take on another position player when you already have a few not getting playing time. Hyun-Soo Kim barely sees the field while Paul Janish and Ryan Flaherty are filling in while J.J. Hardy is out. It’s been obvious for some time too, that Buck Showalter doesn’t trust Paredes in the field. He wasn’t coming back to Baltimore as a designated hitter.

8. The Orioles have some of their best prospects knocking on the door. The latest to receive a promotion is Mike Yastrzemski, the grandson of Red Sox great Carl Yastrzemski. Mike made his Triple-A debut Monday against the Red Sox’s affiliate, Pawtucket. All he did was go 2-for-4 with a triple and RBI.

Norfolk’s lineup now features Yastrzemski, Christian Walker and Trey Mancini as a 2-3-4 punch. Don’t forget other guys like Dariel Alvarez and Michael Almanzar in that lineup either. Here’s hoping some of these guys can start knocking on the MLB door in the near future.