Between being away on vacation last week, and returning to no power for several days; I have not had the opportunity to comment much on the O’s.

Here are a couple of quick thoughts on some recent topics in Birdland:

Topic 1) Thome

I’m sure Thome will help the lineup. Even at his age, he still has power and the ability to take a walk. I’m a bit puzzled as to the lineup the O’s are picturing after Markakis returns. I can only assume that the O’s are thinking about having Davis in LF (even though he has said he is more comfortable in RF).

DH Thome
1st Reynolds
LF Davis
3rd Betemit

Clearly Johnson has to be cut when he comes off the DL.

I’m a little surprised that it took Lino and Simon to get Thome, but I can accept that being the going rate. I don’t mind trading either one. I do think that I would have preferred to attempt to use them as additional pieces as part of a larger move.

Clearly, if you are going to make this move for Thome, you are probably considering additional moves. I’m more comfortable with giving up Lino and Simon, if you now make another move now to improve the rotation.

Topic 2) Matusz

When Matusz was drafted, we were told he was capable of throwing 4 pitches for strikes at any time. Where is that pitcher?

The velocity was better this year, his change-up has had good bite at times (with occasional swing and miss capabilities), and his curve has also looked good at-times.

Between 4/26 and 6/2, Matusz made 8 starts. In 6 of those starts, he went at-least 6ip, allowing 3 er or less. Since that point he has lost his last 5 decisions, throwing a combined 21.1 ip in those outings. He was not giving his team a chance to win, and needed to be moved out.

Very disappointing to see. The numbers show Matusz has been unlucky at-times. I also agree with those those that point to him not being able to put away hitters. (Could he use a screwball for 5-10 pitches a game? Something else for hitters to think about with 2 strikes?) There also might be something to him lacking confidence in his defense.

Ultimately though, Matusz has just not been good enough. I can buy him making a few corrections, and getting back to being serviceable (4th/5th starter type), but it is getting harder and harder to buy him ever becoming the 2/3 the O’s really need him to be.

He gets behind hitters with his lack of fastball-command, and when he works backwards he still has trouble getting ahead. Either way he winds up throwing too many fastballs over the heart of the plate. If he could accurately throw his fastball up/down/in/out wherever he wanted, he’d win consistently. I sure thought that was the guy the O’s were drafting. It is amazing to me that he went 4th overall, without the ability to locate where he wants to with precision.

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

Owner

Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.

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