Bird Poop
The Baltimore Orioles began a series of off season moves that absolutely must culminate in vastly better performance for the 2010 team that President Andy McPhail indicated will be judged on wins and losses as they attempt to become competitive after an embarrassing season that was headed for 100 losses were it not for a four game winning streak to close the year.
First, it’s official, Melvin Mora is gone. The club did not pick up his option making him a free agent. Mora, the longest serving Oriole who braved most of the losing seasons, played a distinguished roll at third base as one of the best hitters in the lineup.
Catcher Chad Moeller was also cut but surely the team hopes he’ll clear and be able to be tendered a minor league contract and return for spring training as he served as a fine backup for Matt Wieters after Greg Zaun was dealt to Tampa.
Jeff Datz, a 19 year veteran of the Cleveland Indians organization, will serve as the Orioles’ bench coach while the remainder of the coaching staff remains the same. Datz served as bench coach for the Indians past two managers, Eric Wedge and Charlie Manuel, currently managing the Phillies in the World Series, after serving in other coaching positions and in the Indians’ minor league system. Manager Dave Trembley indicated that Datz’s background as a catcher is important in helping develop Matt Wieters so that catching instructor Don Werner can return to full-time duty with the minor league catchers.
Some additional moves were made to clean up the 40 man roster with four players out righted to the Norfolk Tides, Jeff Fiorentino, Chris Lambert, Guillermo Rodriguez, and Jim Miller.
More difficult decisions will be forthcoming when the team must decide which players will be offered arbitration.
The Baltimore Orioles began a series of off season moves that absolutely must culminate in vastly better performance for the 2010 team that President Andy McPhail indicated will be judged on wins and losses as they attempt to become competitive after an embarrassing season that was headed for 100 losses were it not for a four game winning streak to close the year.
First, it’s official, Melvin Mora is gone. The club did not pick up his option making him a free agent. Mora, the longest serving Oriole who braved most of the losing seasons, played a distinguished roll at third base as one of the best hitters in the lineup.
Catcher Chad Moeller was also cut but surely the team hopes he’ll clear and be able to be tendered a minor league contract and return for spring training as he served as a fine backup for Matt Wieters after Greg Zaun was dealt to Tampa.
Jeff Datz, a 19 year veteran of the Cleveland Indians organization, will serve as the Orioles’ bench coach while the remainder of the coaching staff remains the same. Datz served as bench coach for the Indians past two managers, Eric Wedge and Charlie Manuel, currently managing the Phillies in the World Series, after serving in other coaching positions and in the Indians’ minor league system. Manager Dave Trembley indicated that Datz’s background as a catcher is important in helping develop Matt Wieters so that catching instructor Don Werner can return to full-time duty with the minor league catchers.
Some additional moves were made to clean up the 40 man roster with four players out righted to the Norfolk Tides, Jeff Fiorentino, Chris Lambert, Guillermo Rodriguez, and Jim Miller.
More difficult decisions will be forthcoming when the team must decide which players will be offered arbitration.
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