[外電] Mailbag: Will Cintron take over at short?
Mailbag: Will Cintron take over at short?
Beat reporter Spencer Fordin answers O's fans' questions
By Spencer Fordin / MLB.com
What is the likelihood of Alex Cintron moving into the shortstop role if
neither Brandon Fahey nor Luis Hernandez can help the O's defensively in the
gap?
-- Dave T., Annapolis, Md.
The likelihood is extremely good, provided that Cintron starts hitting down
at Triple-A Norfolk. Hernandez has struggled both offensively and defensively
in the first few weeks, and Fahey seems best suited to reserve duty. Enter
Cintron, who has played in the big leagues as both a starter and as a reserve
over the last few seasons.
Cintron, a switch-hitter, was drafted and developed by the D-backs and spent
the last two seasons with the White Sox. And while he'll never be confused
with ex-Oriole Miguel Tejada, Cintron has an established track record. He's
logged nearly 1,900 at-bats in the Major Leagues, registering a .277 career
average and a .401 slugging percentage.
Both of those numbers are significantly better than anything Hernandez (.250,
.325) or Fahey (.260, .334) has done in the Minor Leagues, let alone the
Majors. Cintron could well stabilize the shortstop position in Baltimore, but
first the Orioles want to give Hernandez and Fahey a chance to prove they can
exceed expectations.
Another option could be utility man Freddie Bynum, who's currently playing
through a rehab stint in the Minor Leagues. Bynum has never played a
full-time role in the Majors but may have enough power to hold down a
starting job. Bynum will likely be back by the middle of May, and Cintron
will have had plenty of time to state his case by then.
If George Sherrill has a very good season as closer and Chris Ray and Danys
Baez come back healthy, is there a possibility the Orioles would part ways
with one of these pitchers through a trade?
-- Josh T., Dillsburg, Pa.
Sure there's a possibility, but there's an even better possibility that the
Orioles would be thrilled to have three effective power relievers. Baez would
be the arm they'd most like to trade, but his salary could make that a
problem. Both Ray and Sherrill would have significant trade value, but they'd
also have significant value to the Orioles moving forward.
Ray, Baltimore's erstwhile closer, is expected to return from Tommy John
ligament replacement surgery on his pitching elbow as early as August. Baez
had the same surgery, but probably won't return this season. Baltimore has
high-octane arms in Bob McCrory and Jim Hoey at Triple-A Norfolk, but is
reticent to force-feed them big league innings before they're ready.
There's a school of thought that Sherrill may even make a good trade chip
this summer, and Baltimore may well entertain offers for him if he continues
to thrive throughout the first half. The Orioles would have to get a big
offer for him, though, and would likely have to believe that either Hoey or
McCrory is ready to step into the bullpen without a hitch.
Situational veterans Chad Bradford and Jamie Walker may also be dealt around
the July 31 trade deadline, but until then, they're a valuable part of
Baltimore's late-relief equation. The Orioles have mixed and matched around
them, getting contributions from unheralded relievers like Dennis Sarfate,
Jim Johnson, Randor Bierd and Matt Albers.
How soon will we see Jake Arrieta in a big league uniform?
-- Jacob C., Richmond, Va.
It's a little early to predict that, but Arrieta has thrived in his first
taste of a full-season league. The right-hander is currently starting for
Class A Frederick, and he's logged a 1-0 record and a 2.75 ERA in his first
four starts. Arrieta has rung up more strikeouts (26) than he's allowed
baserunners via hit (10) and walk (12) in his first few outings.
He's also held opponents to a .154 batting average, but his career is so
young that he's completed six innings only once. Arrieta is a long way away
from the Major Leagues and a long way from proving he's ready for a promotion
to Double-A Bowie. That could come before the season's out, but the Orioles
may elect to take it extra slow with Arrieta.
Fellow 2007 draftee Matt Wieters has been incredible at Frederick, batting
.422 with four home runs in his first 15 games. The Orioles are also being
conservative with his promotion schedule, but he should see a trip to Bowie
before the year is out. Wieters may even be ready for the big leagues by
2009, but the Orioles won't rush him if he isn't.
What's Hayden Penn's status? Any chance he will pitching in the big leagues
this season?
-- Tatum C., Lakeside, Md.
Penn's in the rotation at Triple-A Norfolk, and he's rebounded well after a
difficult season debut. The right-hander has completed seven innings in each
of his last two starts, notching a 1-1 record and a 4.88 ERA overall. Penn is
just glad to be healthy after missing time in the last two seasons for an
appendectomy and a case of bone spurs in his elbow.
Garrett Olson, meanwhile, has been solid in his second tour of duty at
Norfolk. Olson, who finished third in the International League in ERA (3.16)
last season, has pitched to a 1-1 record and a 1.61 ERA in his first four
starts this season. Olson may be pitching himself into the team's plans as an
early contingency plan if someone struggles or gets hurt.
The Orioles are also charting the progress of right-hander Radhames Liz, who
has an electric fastball and huge potential as either a starter or reliever.
Liz has struggled in his first three starts for Norfolk, running up an 0-2
record and a 7.98 ERA. Liz thrived at Double-A Bowie last year and just needs
experience -- and innings -- at Norfolk this season.
--
From:http://tinyurl.com/3ux2jq
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