Topic 1) Derrek Lee out until at-least Wednesday
Lee’s wrist is sore, but the thing to takeaway here is that his surgically repaired thumb feels good. Last year he tore the liagament in his thumb in early April, and still managed to play in 148 games. You would prefer him to be on the field now, but when the lights come on; he should be ready.
Topic 2) Showalter’s comments on Jake Fox
Showalter has stated that the primary focus for Jake Fox is to make the roster as a catcher. This is interesting because it tells us several things. First, it shows that it is unlikely for the Orioles to carry both Fox and Tatum on the bench. Secondly, and correspondingly, it increases the odds for Andino or Harris to make the roster.
For the record, I’m totally on-board with Fox over Tatum. To borrow a Showalter axiom, Fox’s contact to damage ratio is pretty good. I understand that the Wins Above Replacement difference between Fox and Tatum is minimal at-best, but give me the guy with some pop. That choice is even easier to make considering Tatum had trouble throwing out runners last year. Before anyone mentions Tatum’s .281 average in ’10, consider that he had 4 xbh’s in his 114 at-bats (not to mention his .699 Minor League career OPS in 1,578 at-bats).
Topic 3) Nolan Reimold & his chances to make the team
Nothing should change here, even if Reimold continues to rake. Reimold has an option, and Pie does not. Pie, with his ability to back-up CF, simply makes more sense as a 4th OF. Further to that, Pie’s trade value is going to be limited right now.
I continue to believe a healthy Reimold is going to be closer to the player he showed to be in 2009 (.830 OPS) and throughout his Minor League career; vs. the player we all saw in 2010. For the way Reimold plays the game, he is probably my favorite O’s positional player, but I think he needs to go back to AAA.
If you start to see Andino or Harris getting time in CF, that will be a sign the O’s are thinking of carrying Reimold and moving Pie. Assuming that Reimold does go back to Norfolk, I’d like to see him get at-least sometime at 1st (yes I know it will be crowded with Snyder, Bell, and potentially Mahoney). My thought is that if Reimold can play 20-25 games at 1st this year, that the O’s could potentially envision using him in LF, DH, or 1st in ’12.
Topic 4) Orioles Hitting Coach Jim Presley’s comments to Hardy
Interesting story in the Sarasota Herald Tribune (http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20110306/ARTICLE/110309671/2055/NEWS?p=1&tc=pg) this weekend of the Orioles new Hitting Coach Jim Presley giving advice to Hardy.
Hardy speaks to having consciously changed his approach with Minnesota, to try and become the player he believed the Twins wanted him to be. The fact that Hardy acknowledges that Presley’s advice (getting back to consistently driving the ball to left and the allies like he did with Milwaukee) is what he needed to hear; reminds how important psychology can be to a player.
The other thing I like hear is that Presley did not waste any-time sharing his opinion. Crowley had a history of working with guys to change their swing mechanics, but outside of Pie I do not recall many known instances of Crowley suggesting a change of approach.
Topic 5) Elbow Soreness for Uehara
Uehara has deemed his elbow soreness as minor, and you would think the cortisone shot he received is more about pain vs. injury. That said, with Uehara’s injury history this does not instill confidence.
If healthy, the first 5 in the bullpen will be Uehara, Gonzalez, Gregg, Johnson, and Berken. That is a good core to build from (with a number of viable options for the 6th and 7th spots) , but it is also full of injury concerns. Uehara made a major difference for the O’s in the second half with his control. His ability to stay on the active roster will have a domino impact on the bullpen either way.
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