The Baltimore Orioles: All Star Break Blues

There is not any way to sweep it under the rug, the first half of the Baltimore Orioles season was dreadful. Manager Dave Trembley was given his walking papers and our ship is being run by interim manager Juan Samuel.

How bad have they been? We're talking historically bad. I'd-rather-see-Oprah-naked then-watch-them-play, bad. So bad the Baltimore Sun began running updates on the team comparing their win/loss record to the worst Oriole team of all time and some of the worst teams in history. They call the segment "The Bottom Line". As of the last update here is where the current Orioles ranked:

1916 Philadelphia Athletics: 19-68-1 (.222)
2003 Detroit Tigers: 23-65 (.261)
1962 New York Mets: 24-64 (.273)
2010 Orioles: 28-59 (.322)
1988 Orioles: 29-59 (.330)
1954 Orioles: 32-56 (.364)

Keep in mind the 1954 Orioles team were an expansion team and in 1988 the team began the year with a record of futility, 0-21, that has yet to come close to being matched. And we're behind BOTH!

Why is this happening?

Their record, I believe, is a reflection of three things.

1. Last year we traded Aubrey Huff. Huff wasn't the game's best power hitter, but he was our best power hitter. When we traded him we traded one of the only home run threats that we had. Luke Scott, it could be argued is the other, though his streaks of hot hitting followed by long streaks of cold make him hard to quantify for comparison. With his new club Aubrey Huff is sitting at 17 home runs, 54 RBIs and a .295 batting average. To fill the void at first we signed Garrett Adkins. He stunk up the joint so bad we threw him to the curb bouncer-style and asked him never to come back. Now we have a first base by committee that isn't working or producing. When you trade your power guy you had better have another one to take his place, we didn't and it shows.

2. Lack of Outfield Power. Nick Markakis and Adam Jones were supposed to build upon their success and make up for the loss of power that came from trading Huff. It hasn't happened. Adam Jones began the year swinging at everything including those nasty hookers that roam in front of the old Buddy Shell's, but striking out! Markakis actually had a good first half with a batting average of .308, but only 6 homers and 31 RBI. While Adam Jones has rallied of late to post 14 home runs and 39 RBIs at the break, it was a long time coming. And Nick's lack of punch at the plate is alarming.

3. Pitching. Our new closer, Mike Gonzalez pitched in 3 games recording 2 blown saves, 2 losses and an ERA of 18.00, before being sent to the disabled list. Our youngsters who were supposed to ascend to the majors with a shout of triumph have taken up the fetal position with the sound of whimpers. Last September Brian Matusz pitched a 1 hitter against the Yankees. This year he began the year with a lot of promise, but had some rough games and now sits at 3-9, 4.77. Brad Bergesen has been back and forth to AAA Norfolk because of his lack of quality games and is at 3-6, 6.40 ERA. Koji Uehara is so fragile he may hurt himself reading this. Chris Tillman, another "blue chip" prospect is 1-3, 5.64 ERA. Our old ace Jeremy Guthrie is 3-10, 4.77 ERA and threatening to lead the league in losses for a second straight year. The new ace we brought in to mentor the young pitchers, Kevin Millwood, is 2-8, 5.77 ERA. Oddly, Millwood had a decent ERA for much of the first half, it was 3.89 headed into his June 3rd start, but racked up losses because of a lack of run support just the same. Then June came and his game, if not his arm, totally fell apart.

Any positives?

Our "All Star" Ty Wiggington was a complete surprise. I'd argue that he did not deserve to make the all star team, but he had 14 home runs and 45 RBIs in the half and only 11/41 last year. I would be willing to bet he gets traded and he should. His value is never going to be higher and at 32 he is likely too old to help out in the long term. This is probably his career year, even though he is hitting just .252.

Jake Arrieta is 3-2 with a 4.38 ERA. While the ERA isn't much to talk about, he has held teams to one run three times in his seven starts. However, in two of those starts he gave up five, which trashed his ERA. There are games when he and Brian Matusz look like they have put it all together and are going to lead the Orioles into greener pastures, but then the next game will come and they get knocked out of the game before the fifth. Hopefully, both of them learn to be consistent.

Jason Berken is the only pitcher on the staff that has been consistent this year. He is 2-1 with a 1.95 ERA as a middle reliever. Those numbers were the only ones on the Orioles team worthy of a nod in the All Star game, because that ERA is exemplary. But middle relievers, like Rodney Dangerfield, get no respect. At 26 years old the Orioles might have found someone that can actually pitch from the bullpen, let's not trade him.

Corey Patterson was out of baseball when the Orioles called him to fill a spot created by the injury to Felix Pie and he has performed admirably at the plate hitting .289, 5 home runs, 29 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. He also had the hit of the first half with a game tying 9th inning grand slam, his first ever 4 RBI homer. Unfortunately, there are times when Patterson looks lost in left field. Though he is fleet footed, he has a hard time making the catches that he should. Since Pie has returned from the DL, we'll likely trade him.

What can we do to fix it?

Nothing. This is a bad team. Their record is historically bad and they do not have the talent to turn it around. We can hope that when they finally hire new manager he'll have some fire in his belly and can inspire/cajole/use force to make the team compete. I look forward to GM Andy MacPhail trading Wiggington and Patterson to see what kind of value we can get.