every at-bat is a negOtiation

Blog is very full of Blogself today because Wayward O and managing editor [redacted] met Team President of Baseball Operations, Maj. Brig. Gen. Andrew MacPhail on Sunday at baseball place.


Here's how it is, nerds...
Here's what MacP. told bloggers:

• don't look for Adrian Gonzalez deadline trade
• although Team could be seen making a free agency offer in event AG goes on market*
• front office NOT 100% SOLD on Adam Jones yet and 2010 is crucial year for beloved CF
• Team wants to rest dinged-up Brian Roberts, keep him off 10-day West Coast / Boston swing, hence DL likely**

MacP. also very focused on art of signing talent controlled by Team a) before free agent value goes through roof and b) after it's clear talent is legit. He noted that, while some teams can afford to evaluate non-free agent talent for as long as 5 years, Team feels its window is about 3+ years. Reading between lines, it's pretty clear this Season is Big One for Team and Adam Jones.

Team has plenty of dough, of course, and offer Jones gets will tell you what Andy & Co.'s verdict is with respect to long-term potential.

Sunday was nice day until Team gave away another lead and lost. Team is 1-5. Which is pretty bad. Team keeps leaving runs on board but pitching is wayyyy better. Of course if Offense doesn't start finding way soon, pitching likely to collapse at some point.

* talent more prized than Team dollars right now
** this does NOT bode well for already ailing offense, which will have to find some kind of spark

the angst Of april

studs Or duds?

Would you look at handsome fella Team signed?


Sun Photo
Wayward Odeo hasn't been on Baltimore SportsYap blogs much lately -- blog management mostly getting whipped like rented mule in other sectors during Christmas rush -- but assumes mix of 64% unbridled optimism splashed with 22% "this is the 2006 offseason all over again" lightly spiced with a 12% wizened wait-and-see attitude.

There is, after all, a patch where putative closer's ligament used to be. Which ligament? Anyway ... 77 appearances last year says not a concern and God Bless Maj. Gen. Andrew Quimbly MacPhail for doing short-term deal with incentives, presumably for that reason.

If it works, it's going to work great because Young Houdini aka Jim Johnson is a natural 8th inning guy, based upon what we've all seen.

And ... dare Wayward O say it? Is there a whiff of Rocky Mountain 'Roids trailing behind Garrett Atkins? Probably just a mirage .... some Rockie fans theorize loss of Holliday in order hurt him. And Atkins' year-in, year-out declines in offense output since 2006 are more indicative of guy who ... got solved.

Still many Rockiesphere fans see big 2010 from Garrett and call move big, under-radar signing of offseason so far. It also was noted in Cyberwompersphere that Atkins came into camp last year overweight and out of shape.

Atkins stopped hitting last year and lost starting job to young kid. Again though, MacPhail has taken essentially a calling card because contract is lean.

And like the old one, Team's new third baseman has PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE.

Put Wayward O in edgy enthusiasm category. If you want to label deals a reprise of last notable signing frenzy, which resulted in more losing, you probably could, but at least Team wised up with structure of deals.

three-day hOme sets!

First of All Wayward O can't believe Jim Lehrer and Paul Kangas are both slowly extricating selves from NEWS BUSINESS!!



He's ordering the steak, punk.
Lehrer Wayward O knew about but PAUL TOO? Who will tell blog author what's right anymore? For example how will Wayward O ever figure out why people are surprised that the Woodsmeister had a few birdies conveniently stationed near MAJOR GOLF TOURNAMENTS? And who will explain RELVANCE of DEAD NEW YORK YANKEE GREATS?? And who will explain why COLLATERALIZED DEBT is same as BULK CHEESE: Delicious but risky.

Feeling strangely alone in cruel, dark world, with winds of winter whipping over WITHERED HEATH of Internet, Wayward O, in search of companionship, visited FRIENDS LINKs and NAVIGATED to le Chat Camdine, but got THIS!!



Blogztoobz is Clogzd.
Well Wayward O does say! His site features 72 percent SERVER UPTIME!!

Anyway things really were looking bleaker than four game set at Anaheim stadium with Adam Eaton, Bruce Chen and Sidney Ponson on mound in some version of retarded dream rote when TEAM of all people came through with RELEASE of Spring Schedule!

Check it out! There's a three-day home set from March 7-9 and another from March 25-27 and another from March 29-31!

Wayward O will be there and that's a promise. Just don't tell blog blog has to watch KEVIN MILLWEED.

2010: meaningful imprOvement

It is good for Team to have Boss of Team who runs Team in open, tough and fair way. For example, Mr. Andy MacPhail shook Manager's hand yesterday, gave him the rock, and then said you better win some ballgames next year.

It is also good for Blog to have boss of Team who nicknames 2010 season in October 2009, saving Wayward O ENTIRE WINTER of tortured musings and nightmares that blog is under attack by swarm of Capital "O"s.


Image via MASN
Some of Mr. MacPhail's remarks, upon picking up of manager for next year, were instructive for fans of Team:

"We're out of phase one now, going forward."

"We're going to move back to the more traditional criteria of evaluating managers: wins and losses."

"To give him every chance, going forward, and to win as many games as we can and show meaningful improvement in the standings ... it's our job to ... give him as much help as we possibly can."

Mr. Bossman has already tipped hat a little bit this year, saying he'll guard his prized Kids like a Momma Bear guarding Cub but won't be shy about going to Ol Man Angelos for free agent money to fill in some glaring holes.

"I understand very clearly what it's all about," Mr. Dave Trembley said.

Note to Players: Don't expect to be "shut down" or "protected" next year. Produce or GTFO. Corollary note to any players that don't like manager: You can't get rid of Trembley by losing games, so you might as well try to win.

It is sad Pardon Our Dust phase is coming to close. Sad in the same way the passage of time is said all by its lonesome.


Also how about that Little Aubrey guy? He wants to play baseball and he sees opportunity to play baseball and he is making most of said opportunity to play baseball!