Light the Hot Stove fires

Someone call in Zeke from the ledge: Francisco Liriano undergoing Tommy John surgery and expected to miss all of 2007.

That sucks. He was a certifiable fucking stud when healthy.

 

Well, at least the Twins won't question him going into next season. Sucks that he has to go under the knife, I loved seeing him pitch, even against the Royals.

 

Don Slaught steps down as hitting coach to spend more time with family

Tigers lose their hitting coach. Could mean Bull Durham gets a major league coaching spot. He's been in Toledo for five years and got pretty good reviews there.

Or they could promote Lloyd McClendon from the bullpen.

 

What was the deal with Ray Durham and his power surge this year? For his career he averaged 1 HR every 41 AB but suddenly at age 30 he hit 26 dingers (1 HR every 19 AB).

If you are a GM do you give him a big contract and take a risk on him at 2nd base or do you just assume he's a possible 50 game suspension waiting to happen?

 

He took from Barry's supply.

 

Question - Eric Young who finished up with the Rangers last year (and finished should be highlighted) - does he have a son who plays in the Rockies farm system? The Rockies have a 21-year old Eric Young Jr. and I was just wondering. If true - this would make a nice story for someone.

 

Cue the discussion of "rushing young pitchers to the majors."

 

I blame Dick Cheney

 

You know who the Orioles need? Gary Sheffield. The Yankees won't let it happen, but hitting in front of or behind Tejada, he'd provide attitude and power, two things that are in short supply in Baltimore. From what I understand, he and Perlozzo actually like each other a lot, and Sheff has told people he would play there if he got his money.

Would not be a horrible lineup 1 through 7, actually, when you think about it. (Steroid rumors aside.) Still need a first baseman and a CF. It's a moot point though, because Sheff isn't really available now that the Yanks picked up his option, Angelos will sign no one in the offseason and claim he's unwilling to pay absurd prices, and even fewer fans will show up next year.

You could win with this if you got some pitching, though:

2B Roberts
RF Markakis
LF Sheffield
SS Tejada
3B Mora
C R. Hernandez
DH Gibbons
1B ?? (Anyone but Millar is an upgrade)
CF ?? (Anyone but Matos is an upgrade)

 

Judging from his performance, he didn't looked rushed to me.

 

Nomar at 1st and Jay Payton at CF?

That would be a pretty good offense

 

Absolutely. The Orioles are not a good team by any stretch, but Bedard is developing into a very good pitcher, Lowen showed some real signs of growth (he kicked the Yanks ass three times in NYC, I think) and Cabrerra is a wild, crazy headcase, but unhittable when he's on. Ray is an above average closer, and Benson is still under contract (though I think he can demand a trade, whatever that means). Benson isn't great, but he's good enough. If the Orioles were in the National League, they could probably win win the NL West.

But as it stands, they are awful, have one of the five worst owners in baseball, and I expect nothing will change.