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. Kevin Gausman’s debut left fans wanting more on Monday, but I’m tapping the brakes. We all know that Gausman is facing immense pressure to be “the guy” in the Orioles rotation that can carry the load. I think that is obviously something that’s weighing on his mind. Gausman looked good in his season debut, and the Orioles are indeed going to need more of those types of efforts if they want to be competitive.
The O’s rotation has holes, and the only way to keep water from filling the boat is to start plugging them. Gausman can help with that, but don’t think he’s going to make the other four starters begin to pitch better. He can only start every fifth day, and there are still real issues with this rotation.
2. Speaking of those issues, Yovani Gallardo is on the shelf with a shoulder injury. I wrote earlier this week over at MASNsports.com about the fact that the Orioles appear to be “right” about Gallardo’s injury after re-negotiating his contract back in February, but really they were still wrong. The O’s never should’ve signed this guy if they believed this could be an issue. I’m no doctor, but it appears now they were trying to make chicken salad and have ended up with a broken down, aging veteran pitcher.
Gallardo could be fine. He could return in about a month and end up pitching well the rest of the season. But these are just things the Orioles are hoping for, not things I think will actually happen.
GulfBird Sports/Craig Landefeld
3. Orioles first base prospect Trey Mancini received a promotion to Norfolk this week after starting the season in Bowie. I’m not entirely sure why he even started in Double-A this year, as he’s proven he can rake against that level. Mancini won the Eastern League batting title last year and was mashing again this season. It’s time to see what he can do at the next level.
The real question going forward is, what will the future bring for Mancini at the big league level? Are the Orioles just going to use him as a designated hitter? If you haven’t noticed, there’s a pretty big road block at first base in Baltimore. I’ve heard the idea floated that Mancini could work out in the corner outfield spots, two obvious areas of need for the O’s, but that’s easier said than done. Players don’t just learn those positions overnight. Perhaps down the road it could work out for Mancini as a right fielder, but I wouldn’t see that happening until next year at the earliest.
4. I was tuned in last week for the end of Jake Arrieta’s no-hitter, rooting passionately for him. I was shocked to see how many people weren’t rooting for him. Maybe it was just a loud minority, but many took to Twitter to blast Arrieta for failing to perform the way he has with the Cubs when he was in Baltimore. Then came a great piece from Yahoo’s Jeff Passan this week that spelled out some feelings, specifically from Zach Britton.
The Orioles closer absolutely eviscerated former pitching coach Rick Adair. Every time Arrieta throws a no-hitter (and yes, there will likely be more), I’ll think about what could’ve been. It’s going to be one of the bigger questions asked as his career continues, at least by O’s fans. I’m not in the camp that thinks Arrieta never could’ve been successful in Baltimore just because it’s Baltimore. Britton attempted to clarify that same point to MASN this week. It was the people who were put around him that made Arreita unsuccessful. That’s the real shame of it.
GulfBird Sports/Craig Landefeld
5. If you haven’t noticed, Joey Rickard is in a bit of a slump. It may not seem that way by watching the games because he’s always praised so much, but he’s really struggling lately. MASN actually ran a graphic on Tuesday night comparing Rickard’s 2016 season to Al Bumbry’s 1973 season in which he won the AL Rookie of the Year award. Rickard had a great first few weeks, but it may be time to slide him down in the order. There is already a book developing on Rickard and it’s something he’ll have to adjust to as the season goes along. I think that’s actually what I’m most looking forward to with him as the year progresses. How will he adapt to pitchers working him differently?
6. I was as surprised as anyone to see Ryan Flaherty get the demotion to Norfolk earlier this week. He provides the Orioles with depth, even if it’s in a full-time backup role. It’s understandable that the Birds would want to have extra pitching on hand, especially with the way the starters have performed thus far. But they would be in a pickle if an injury happened in the infield.
That’s especially the case if Jonathan Schoop were to be injured. Does J.J. Hardy then slide to second base and Machado to shortstop, leaving Chris Davis or Mark Trumbo to man third base? Flaherty can come back late next week if need be, and I anticipate that will happen because the O’s won’t want to hang with a deeper bullpen for so long. In the meantime, they better hope health stays the norm.
7. They are still playing, but it appears both Adam Jones and Hardy are battling injuries. We know Jones sat out for about a week with a rib injury earlier this year and Hardy always seems a candidate for some nagging issue. Jones keeps saying his ribs are fine, but this could be something that lingers for the season. The real hope is that his power numbers don’t diminish because of it.
With Hardy, he’s been talking about blisters on his feet for some time. You can see it in the way he walks. Even in the dugout, he appears to be limping. Getting Hardy some days off his feet will be important as the season rolls along. It’s just nice to know that the O’s have Manny Machado to slide over and take his place at shortstop when needed.
8. Finally this week, a bit of a personal note. I’ll be attending tonight’s O’s game against the White Sox. This is only noteworthy because I live in Arizona and it may be the only game I attend at Camden Yards this season. I try to get back to Baltimore as often as I can and I make my best effort to see the Birds on the road at least once a year as well. The reason I share this is simple – it’s important to go to the games.
This isn’t likely something readers of this column need to hear, but I’m saying it anyway. Watching the games on television is great and following the team from behind a keyboard is fine, but nothing will ever beat going to a baseball game. The smell of the grass, the crack of the bat, the taste of a hot dog and a beer. Few things in this world compare. It’s why most of us fell in love with the game to start with.
Every time I go to a game, I turn into a kid again. I think that’s an important part of being a fan. It’s something I’ll embrace happily tonight as I watch the O’s in the best stadium in baseball.
2 Responses
Enjoy your articles, Andrew. They are objective, straightforward, and more often than not, aligned with my own thoughts. I wasn’t an advocate of Davis’ contract and remain of the position the O’s will regret it, as they will for focusing too much on power hitters. Regarding Hardy, he served us well, but is about ready for retirement. I”d bring up Janish sooner than later. I’d also limit Weiters batting from the right, bring back Clevenger, and give Kim more opportunities. Rickard will be just fine. He is one of the most multi-talented players we’ve had in years, especially the speed. Perhaps I’ll see you at the game tonight. Too bad you’re coming on such a bad day weatherwise.
Last paragraph is stupid. It’s not important at all to attend a game. Way too expensive and a hassle! It obviously is not important to Baltimore fans either considering their attendance is the 5th worst in baseball so far this year. But of course you already knew that!