.

2kX divisiOnal preview - NL East

noreply@blogger.com (the wayward o) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:23:00 +0000

Atlanta Braves: Lost Javier Vasquez, who went to Yankees, but Tim Hudson, who basically missed 2009, is back and looking sharp. Hudson joins talented young duo of Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson as well as veteran Derek Lowe on a team that many see as a sleeper pick for a playoff run. Can left fielder Melky Cabrera and right fielder Matt Diaz drive offense? Between them only something like 22 stolen bases all of last year. Closer Billy Wagner looks to revive career.

Florida Marlins: They won 87 games last year and are bringing back same team plus a couple of well-chronicled groin injuries. I'm not sure if they're better than Braves in pitching department, but they have a better offense on paper. Will Hayden Penn make club? Rarely does one hear the terms "veteran pitcher" and "out of options" in same sentence. Wayward O sees the Fish swimming in middle of the proverbial bait ball.

New York Mets: Outfield is a smidge better this year with Jason Bay and Jeff Francouer replacing Gary Sheffield and Ryan Church. Early reports are that Johan Santana is going to be ready to lead rotation all year. But rest of rotation is a bit junky, frankly. [Hey. Write a letter. It's true!] If Bay gets on wrong side of fans and Reyes' big years are behind him, things could get pretty ugly at Citifield. That said, there's enough talent for Amazin's to be to be surprising as well. Very tough call. Can Francisco Rodriguez get his ERA below 3 again? If K-Rod ERAs below 2.5 and saves 40+ games then Mets will be in running. Yes, Blog is using "ERAs" as verb. Deal with it.

Philadelpia Phillies: Class of division upgraded rotation by dealing Cliff Lee and landing Roy Halladay. Marginal upgrade at third base with Placido Polanco replacing Pedro Feliz. Can they win 100 games? Even odds. Bonus Question: How many more wins does Jamie Moyer need to solidify his HoF resume? Answer: 12. Phillies will kick themselves for dealing Lee if injury bug hits rote.

Washington Nationals: Probably last place again but Wayward O sees them pushing win total into high 60s. Gnarts could finish ahead of Mets if things fall apart again in Queens, N.Y. Expectations are high for Elijah Dukes, who is reported to have a better outlook after last year's demotion to AAA. How many starts will Stephen Strasburg get with the big club this year? Over / under probably about 8.

Predicted Order of Finish:
Phillies
Braves *
Marlins
Mets
Nationals
* wild card contender

2kX divisiOnal preview - AL East

noreply@blogger.com (the wayward o) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:28:00 +0000

This is going to be hard on you, kid. But trust Wayward O, it's going to be even harder on Wayward O:

Baltimore Orioles: Have stockpiled tons of talent and they're trying to bring it to bear. But hopes of a surprise challenge to Boston and New York are slim for 2010, especially with creeping worries that All-Star second baseman Brian Roberts may face lingering back issues. Just how good are Matt Wieters and Brian Matusz? Very good, Wayward O thinks. There's no reason why the O's couldn't mug somebody this year but if you're making bet, make sure you get odds. Manager Dave Trembley must prove himself by keeping Team focused through September and cutting down on baserunning blunders.

Boston Red Sox: Able hands at every offensive position. A top-notch starting five. Strong bullpen. Is David Ortiz on wane? Even if he is, it hardly matters. Victor Martinez can DH. So could Marco Scutaro. So could Bill Hall. Bonus Question: Why is Hall even on this team? Mike Cameron may have trouble adjusting to weirdly angled Fenway center field -- hardly what you'd call a reason for Sox fans to lay awake at night worrying.

New York Yankees: They have some age problems looming with Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and possibly even the ageless Mariano Rivera. But it's not clear whether 2010 will be the year in which this really becomes an issue. Bombers have better pitching staff than Red Sox, amazingly, but in Wayward O's opinion an ever-so-slightly less potent offense (on paper, anyway). Will Alex Rodriguez' off-field issues distract the club? Doubtful.

Tampa Bay Rays: This could be last year for Rays to show 2008 World Series berth wasn't fluke. They're bringing back four of five starters, minus Scott Kazmir. They're bringing back entire offense. But next year Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena could be gone. Entire team could be gone if city can't muster up stronger attendance. Can they hang with the Yankees and Sox? Not really. 2008 was kind of flukey, dawg.

Toronto Blue Jays: The departure of Roy Halladay has left this team without its standard. The Jays "went for it" two years ago, but had to fire their manager mid-season. They're still paying the price for the B.J. Ryan signing and other moves. Is Brandon Morrow going to make it as a starter? The Jays had better hope so. If not they're going to be beyond irrelevant.

Predicted Order of Finish:
Red Sox / Yankees
Os
Rays
Jays

* probably both heading for playoffs

2kX divisiOnal preview - NL Central

noreply@blogger.com (the wayward o) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:27:00 +0000

Cincinnati Reds: Highly touted two years ago, right fielder Jay Bruce says his goal for 2010 is to get his offense going and make Reds better. He'll have an even younger teammate in Drew Stubbs playing center. Bruce might be able to fly under radar with arrival of media phenom Aroldis Chapman, who might lead talented rotation including Bronson Arroyo, Johnny Cueto and Aaron Harang. Additions of Scott Rolen and Orlando Cabrera on left side of infield make for your "veteran presence." Not a bad team overall, but it's really all about Aroldis this year. Is he real deal? No idea ... Wayward O is pencilling in Reds for middle of pack.

Chicago Cubs: Is Alfonso Soriano going to stink again this year? That pretty much sums up Cubs' prospects. Team GM Jim Hendry threw former Cub Milton Bradley under bus this week, saying he brought entire team down in 2009. If that's the case then let's see Milton-free Cubs win division.

Houston Astros: They have new manager, new addition to starting rotation in Bud Norris, an ace trying to get healthy in Roy Oswalt, no named closer as of yet and an offense dependent upon aging Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee. So, they're going to stink? Yeah. They're going to stink. Actually, "stink" might be a strong word. And if Oswalt and Berkman can reclaim past form maybe they'll be surprising.

Milwaukee Brewers: The Crew got (a little) younger and added Randy Wolf to a starting rotation that features Yovani Gallardo, who many believe is on track for a breakout 2010. If the "kids" -- Casey McGehee and Alcides Escobar -- on the left side of infield can hit .300, as they each did in limited work last year, Brewers will have a very potent offense. Playoffs? If they keep it loose, sure.

Pittsburgh Pirates: When you talk your way off Mets and then stink at Nationals, there's really only one place left to go. That's why you'll find Lastings Milledge playing the outfield for Buckos this year. Pirates are trying to get better where they can. Is center fielder Andrew McCutchen a star? He might be. Brendan Donnelly in bullpen and Aki Iwamura in infield are talented additions. Heck, if things get bad enough in Houston, Pirates could end up outside of cellar for once.

St. Louis Cardinals: Carpenter and Wainwright and pray for rain, right? Wayward O sees Mark McGwire sucking up much of spotlight in St. Louie this summer. Albert Pujols is mad good. So is Matt Holliday. Over all Wayward O thinks Cubs have more talent. But Wayward O says this every year and every year Cardinals outplay them.

Predicted Order of Finish:
Cardinals
Cubs *
Brewers *
Reds
Astros
Pirates
* wild card contenders

2kX divisiOnal preview - AL Central

noreply@blogger.com (the wayward o) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:13:00 +0000

Chicago White Sox: Have a great starting five with addition of Jake Peavy and Freddy Garcia. A healthy Alex Rios should be plus for offense. On paper this team really does look like a World Series contender, with strength at every position and a solid bench to boot, although they may have a problem at closer if the '08 vintage Bobby Jenks doesn't return. Between Ozzie Guillen, A.J. Pierzynski, GM Ken Williams, Rios and the rest, are there too many mouths?

Cleveland Indians: Jake Westbrook, Tribe's purported young ace, is pitching on tenterhooks this spring, hoping his Tommy John doesn't come apart. After a huge 2007, number two starter Fausto Carmona has seen his ERA balloon to about 6 over last two years. Closer Kerry Wood is just trying to hang on to his career at this point. Do they have any reasonable shot at postseason? Not really. Offense, not to mention pitching staff, will suffer without Victor Martinez.

Detroit Tigers: Max Scherzer has a hell of a lot of talent and joins a potentially devastating rotation led by Justin Verlander and augmented by probable return of healthy Jeremy Bonderman. With Johnny Damon penciled in for left field, how many games will Ryan Raburn get into? Raburn had a wonderful year in 2009 and is as solid a fourth outfielder as there is in baseball. D-town is excited about Austin Jackson, penciled in for center field, but he may be a little young to lead Tigers to a division title.

Kansas City Royals: Wayward O put too much pressure on Royals last year, predicting a division win and getting a basement finish for his trouble. Not this year. Nope. Ol' powder blue is back to mediocrity. Most positive development? Same starting five coming back and Joakim Soria might become a big star at closer.

Minnesota Twins: Ooooooh shnikey! Joe Nathan has a torn ligament in his elbow. That is very big deal. They say he's going to rest and strengthen for a couple weeks and try to avoid surgery but we all know ligaments don't just heal. You still got to get a quack to cut you open and fix those things. 47 saves in 2009 with a 2.10 ERA. Can you say that without Nathan the Twins are in trouble? Yes. I would say so, especially with talented Tigers and ChiSox lurking. There really is no immediate closer answer currently on Twins roster.

Predicted Order of Finish:
White Sox
Tigers*
Twins
Royals
Indians
* wild card contender

2kX divisiOnal preview - NL West

noreply@blogger.com (the wayward o) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:09:00 +0000

Arizona Diamondbacks: Upgraded offense by bringing in Adam LaRoche to play first base. Probably downgraded a little at second base after trading Felipe Lopez at deadline and bringing in Kelly Johnson from Atlanta after season. Budget-minded Dbacks' season depends on whether third baseman Mark Reynolds can repeat monster 2009 (44 HR, 102 RBI -- really only good enough for 20th in MVP ballot?) and whether Brandon Webb's comeback from surgery is successful. What the heck is Valley Fever?!? Note to self: Avoid this ailment.

Colorado Rockies: Had five starters post winning records on way to playoffs last year. Can returning Jeff Francis replace departure to Nationals of Jason Marquis? Rocks' potent offense returns pretty much as it was last year, led by Todd Helton and Troy Tulowitzki. Wayward O sees a seasoned team primed for a division win.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Amid owner's divorce court battle and revelations his sons are on Dodger payroll to tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars, doing nothing, even as team is jacking up ticket prices, phantom injuries already are popping up in spring training. Catcher has a "groin pull." Third baseman has a "strained rib cage." Puhleeze. Can they stay out of tank? Not likely. Also they will miss Randy Wolf, who departed for Milwaukee. L.A. Dodgers are looking at a lost season and Manny Ramirez might be had at deadline.

San Diego Padres: Jake Peavy left for White Sox and Adrian Gonzalez likely will be gone by deadline. Kevin Kouzmanoff is gone. They did bring in John Garland to play role presumably similar to Kevin Millwood's perceived role for Baltimore Orioles - shoring up young rote. Can they finish ahead of L.A.? Probably not because L.A. has talent. The Padres are bad and they appear to be getting worse.

San Francisco Giants: Biggest barrier to Diamondbacks' hopes of sneaking into Wild Card chase is going to be Giants' pursuit of same. Aubrey Huff looks like an upgrade at first base over Travis Ishikawa. Mark DeRosa appears to be an upgrade over young Fred Lewis, who failed to establish himself as the left fielder after a weak 2009 and is scrapping to make big club this year. Will Giants be players in trade market? Yeah. For example, Wayward O could see Manny Ramirez moving to S.F. at deadline.

Predicted Order of Finish:
Rockies
Giants *
Diamondbacks
Dodgers
Padres

* wild card contender

2kX divisiOnal preview - AL West

noreply@blogger.com (the wayward o) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 14:35:00 +0000

Wayward O can't preview changes to blog template and soon will be forced to ditch blogger altogether. Not great timing because this is big time of year for baseball. Might as well get started on divisiOnal previews a bit early; usually blog would wait an additional two weeks or so in order to get more Spring hints.

Starting off in the AL West this year for no particular reason. Baseball has seen fit to unfairly grant teams in division 25 per cent shot at playoffs each year. But AL West also is division that added more overall talent than any other save arguably the monied, free-agent hungry AL East.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Appear at first glance to have treaded water over offseason, but roster shows core talent remains and team by no means has seen rotation come apart with departure of John Lackey. Will new third baseman Brandon Wood be as impressive as fellow prospects-turned-stars Howie Kendrick and Eric Aybar? Last year Angels barely missed departure of Mark Teixeira as Kendry Morales put up huge season. Wayward O sees same scenario playing out this year -- look for well-managed Angels to barely miss departures of Lackey and Chone Figgins and chug their way to 90+ win season.

Oakland As: Have plugged three veterans -- third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff, center fielder Coco Crisp and top starter Ben Sheets -- into youth equation that wound up in last place with a respectable 75 wins in 2009. If Crisp plays all year and stays healthy, Sheets stays healthy too and Crushin' Russian's OBP doesn't fall further in ballpark where foul balls go to die, maybe As make some noise. Side note: Wayward O finds this Team's prospects especially difficult to predict year-in, year-out. Could be the Green Unis. Not sure. Is young Trevor Cahill a budding Zack Greinke? Arguably comparable righties but Cahill's ERA would need to take a comparable drop off proverbial cliff.

Seattle Mariners: Addition of Cliff Lee and Chone Figgins made big news over winter. Can you call them 'chiq pick' when everyone is picking them? Wayward O would like to point out that Ms are relying on two of baseball's notorious head cases -- Erik Bedard and Milton Bradley -- to drive them into postseason. Another key to Ms season is righty Ian Snell, who is something of a head case himself. If Snell can put his post-Pittsburgh stress disorder behind him and anchor 3-spot in Seattle rote until Bedard is ready, Mariners could be a force. It's a near-certainly Mariners will trade for a power bat at some point. Wayward O goes along with those penciling Ms into playoffs but has also purchased eraser.

Texas Rangers: Core of Ranger offense rests on shoulders of Vladimir Guerrerro and Josh Hamilton, both of whom are coming off injury plagued, down years. Vlad said to be healthy; Hamilton not so much. Meanwhile Rangers are excited about starting rotation! So let me get this straight, Texas has pitching but not enough hitting? That's how it looks from here. Weird. Actually they might not have enough pitching either.

Predicted Order of Finish:
Mariners
Angels*
Rangers
As
* wild card contender

Of march and april

noreply@blogger.com (the wayward o) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:55:00 +0000

For Wayward O's money, these are best two months to be fan of Team. Spring is our time to dream of possibility, to measure talent and wonder if this is Year where talent translates to wins and wins translate to magic.

Heck, early promise could be over quickly: Team has 10-game road trip during second half of April in Oakland, Seattle and Boston. Then Team caps month hosting Champs for 4-game set.

If Team comes home from trip with hideous record, then gets pummeled by Frankenteam, then strap on Manager Firing Pants and get ready for long, messy year.

But for now. For now? Mostly we're focusing on aforementioned promise.

Many fans in many cities are in same boat. But some fans -- some fans simply choose to leave boat, reject hometown allegiances and root for whichever team has best chance of success.

Last week Wayward O was at poker table in Big Sky, Mt., and was talking with man wearing Red Sox hat, who disclosed he was from D.C. but could not root for Nats because they have "no chance of winning."

Wayward O couldn't tell if guy was completely serious -- but by his play it quickly became clear he was front-runner in all facets of life. Fold bad hands, play good ones. And, well, would YOU just don a Sawx hat on whim? No. No, you wouldn't. Not even if you were 2,000 miles from home.

Wayward O didn't bother to tell poker mate of Team. That would have engendered dreaded, shop-worn conversation about "how can you root for them?" Well, friend, sometimes it's fun to play losing hand. And sometimes, if you play it just right, it becomes winner!

And that's what we're all talking about in Diaspora these days. We know Team has talent and we know Team has desire. What we don't know is whether ephermal spark, X-factor, je ne said quois, or whatever one calls it, will join us for 2o1o campaign and, if it does, whether our young kids have enough brains and muscle to keep up elusive magic for six months.

Anyway, to all fans of Team, Wayward O says: Bless you and your loyalty. And enjoy next two months -- our time of promise. Maybe this is Year we extend Spring hopes into Summertime magic.

su nOmbre es...

noreply@blogger.com (the wayward o) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 01:04:00 +0000

majOr mike
"Right now, you're the closer on this team, and we got you for the same reason that we got [Kevin] Millwood. You bring more than just the ability to pitch. You compete, you have experience, you can help the young guys, you can lead the way and I know you want the ball." ~ TrembO

in which wayward O gets mad

noreply@blogger.com (the wayward o) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 12:43:00 +0000

Wayward O knows it's been a long time since Wayward O rapped at you. But, to paraphrase Jim Anchower, Wayward O has felt like just another cayenne-flake in Tabasco-storm of life lately.

And, Blog knows, Blog is Baseball Blog. And SO MANY THINGS ARE HAPPENING on Baseball Front, sort of, or something. Like we didn't sign nasty lefty and 3e has a booboo or something.

Things were busy enough before Google summarily decided to Execute FTP publishing.

This may sound like "INSIDE BASEBALL," or "NERD YACK," but for many bloggers it is causing GLENN DAVIS-like FLASHBACKS and other headaches.

Long story short, Wayward O is probably going to be forced to change up publishing platforms -- unless Google comes to its senses. Hopefully this move will pave way for nifty redesign or something but most likely it will pave way for swearing and broken links.

Wayward O knows this seems a bit boring and tech-y -- and we all know Wayward O is not "STATS GUY" who scoffs at such silly metrics as BATTING AVERAGE -- but Wayward O has decided that silence is not option.

Google recently pushed off execution deadline until May 1, largely due to massive customer anger, which is a good start.

This crazyness on Part of Google comes as Big Search Engine seems to be P$$NG PEOPLE OFF left and right. First there was tech debacle that accompanied Nexus Phones, then were was big fight over Google in China and lately Google has been rubbing privacy advocates wrong way by FOISTING wanabe social network into people's Gmail accounts.

Google's recent pushy behavior reminds Blog of another BIG COMPANY -- you'll remember them by their ubiquitous CD-ROM mailings -- that some 10 years ago thought it was King DONUT of CROISSANT Mountain.

Take a look at what that company's customer-unfriendly behavior wrought it, Google. Take a GOOD LOOK: 2000 market cap: $200 billion. 2010 market cap: Maybe $2.5 billion?

To be sure, Google currently appears to be at its high-water mark. Wayward O took an accounting of how much his life has been Google-fied in last five years or so:

Gmail
Adsense
Blogger
site search on blog
finance -- which really rocks
not to mention, uh, a lot of Googling

And that's just right off top of Wayward O's head. But choices aren't only choices. They're choices based on superior product, convenience and performance.

Bottom line: If Google keeps promise to execute FTP, then Wayward O will de-Google entire life.* And lest ye worry that Wayward O won't, then, be able to call up Eddie Murray's life time OPS with few keystrokes, Wayward O can tell you that BING works quite well.

So, to wrap up rant, go ahead Google, make Wayward O's day. See if Wayward O keeps his business in your capable hands.

Your products are great. They really are -- now don't push your luck.

* with possible exception of Gmail, which would punish Wayward O more than Google

Oh and Wayward O was flattered at BIGGEST RESPONSE YET in terms of votes in last poll: Gonzo hopefully will be exciting, electric player for 2010.

swansOng

noreply@blogger.com (the wayward o) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 14:42:00 +0000

Wayward O hit WNST radio's Web live stream Friday and, it turns out, it was last day or something on radio for Nestor Aparicio who Blog understands based on Nestor's description is owner of Balto. sports radio station and budding sportsyap Internet empire.

It was first time Wayward O had checked in in many moons -- probably two years or so.

Listening to WNST is kind of fun for one main reason: They let callers talk long, talk loud and then talk some more. Dora from Dundalk can have two, three full minutes of air time, if she wishes, to expound upon theory that Peter Angelos likes to kick cats when nobody is looking.

Most radio stations give FanYaps about eight words before they are Cut Off.

Wayward O was impressed and thinks tactic

a) is concerted management decision to let fans have their say or
b) is because station doesn't get that many calls

Maybe both?

Nestor is very energetic man but tends to swing between bouts of self-importance, paranoia, bitterness and nihilism, sometimes in same sentence.

"It is my final show," he said for example, about 3 p.m.-ish, after explaining to listeners that his knowledge of sports is more extensive than that of average fan -- sort of like how an auto mechancic knows cars better than average driver -- and how average fans simply will have to muddle through without him.

"And if you haven't figured it out yet, I don't really care," he added with Nietzchean flair.

Wayward O finds Nestors of World to be interesting people. Their minds work quickly. You can tell they care. And you can see that, beneath bravado, there is real person.

Sometimes though, Nestors of World feel, Wayward O guesses, compelled to "keep it real" or something in ways that are, um, not unlike shooting oneself in foot.

Here is what Nestor had to say about Team, for example, also in 3 p.m. hour: "They're bad people. They do bad things. I don't believe it will ever get fixed."

Presumably he is referring to Team Management and not to players and fans. But it's hard to tell.

Nestor's swansong also was peppered with challenges for haters to call and let him have it. None did while Wayward O was tuned in.

Maybe they weren't listening.

And, sadly, stream mysteriously died right when Jim Duquette started talking about Team.

Wayward O couldn't get stream back ... but promises to check back in soon, maybe in another couple years?

Just kidding. It was just raw enough to check in again and see whether Nestor can keep promise to stop talking.

tejada hits 4-hOle?

noreply@blogger.com (the wayward o) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 13:38:00 +0000

ok so Team gets miguel tejada back, to play third, ~~probably spell cesar izturis a few times at short~~ and maybe dh every now and then.

miguel grounds into a lot of double plays, which is bad, yet he doesn't strike out a lot. only 48 Ks in in 635 at bats last year and comparable numbers going back several years.

optimistically his home run total will tweak back up in camden with its section 80-82 porch, which miguel used to love. even if they don't he's gonna put ball in play and get his doubles.

given fact that luke scott and nicky are, ehm, not to be you know mean but, strikeout machines, maybe tejada hits cleanup.

to put it another way: who else is gonna do it?

if matt wieters turns into force this year perhaps he's in four-hole by august. adam jones, too, has cleanup potential, but he's real wild card at this point: mostly he has to stay healthy.

brian roberts
adam jones
nick markakis
miguel tejada
luke scott
matt wieters
felix pie / nolan reimold
garrett atkins
cesar izturis
incidentally it will be interesting to see if miguel gets pissy about number 10, which jones wears. tejada took that to houston. and since his Oakland uni number [4] is retired in Balto. because Earl wore it he can't take that one either. early test for miguel, be cool about uni number!

oh and not that it was alive really in first place but adrian gonzalez deal is dead and he's not coming to Baltzmo in trade now either. ok well it's still possible but 92% less likely.

if Team signs erik bedard, meanwhile, starting five would look like:

bedard
kevin millwood
jeremy guthrie
brad bergesen
brian matusz
that's wayyyy better than last year's. there's at least a 38.4% chance Team doesn't end up in cellar again.

O fights!, part 2

noreply@blogger.com (the wayward o) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 01:53:00 +0000

oh this one's a doozy folks!

Two of Wayward O's super-top Favorites!
All Memlo must do is FIND JOB and TIDE May TURN in Favor of VENEZUELAN!!!

sneaking suspiciOn

noreply@blogger.com (the wayward o) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 14:16:00 +0000

Local New York City home for unsourced journalism finally has REDEEMED SELF.

Girl, u know its Tru
Proving once again that those who DO NOT READ BLOGS proceed at own peril.

This is MORE INSIDE than Dinner at the Danny's With SHANAHAN & SON!

third annual year Of team recaptacular

noreply@blogger.com (the wayward o) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 14:34:00 +0000

It was year of losing. Lots of losing. It was year of hope. Lots of hope. More hope than losing? It was year in which young, talented children left mothers, bindlestiff containing nothing but mitt and multimillion bonus baby contract, to head for City in hopes of chasing very, very elusive dream of playoff baseball.

Wandering Dog

But enough meandering, here is Team year in review:

Jan. 6: Mark Charles Teixeira dons pinstripes, spurning $140 million hometown offer. God told him to do it, around Christmas 2008. Deity's mandate renders Team dead in water for Season in terms of potential to contend. Later in season God allows first baseman to win World Series or something.

Jan. 17: Wayward O fires up tweetbox!

Jan. 18: Rumblings from Warehouse that Nicholas William Markakis has agreed with Team to $66 million deal that runs through 2014. Also this chilly weekend Brian Michael Roberts marries model Diana Chiafair.

Jan. 19: Team sends Garrett Andrew Olson to Chicago for Felix Pie, whose presence in Baltimore over year sparks more flameposts on Yardyack.net and other sportsyaps than any other save perhaps Derk Jeeter's presence on Earth. Pie gets into 101 games for Team over '09 and shows flashes of brilliance as well as bouts with Nincompoopery. Meanwhile Olson - one of genuine good people in World - gets flipped to Seattle and more or less disappears. Olson is exhibit A of touted prospect potential versus reality. But of course he was touted by Old Guard, not necessarily Col. Lance Pickett A. MacPhail.

Feb. 2: By groundhog day Team accreted players including Cesar David Izturis, Gregory Owen Zaun, Koji Uehara of Land of Rising Sun, Mark Allan Hendrickson and Ryan Freel. Oh, and Richard Joseph Hill. Wayward O was excited about Koji for a minute and of course Izturis move has borne out. But good deal of cured meat was on display too. Weaver's Tant. did a nice write on Hill.

Feb. 3: Ty Allen Wigginton leaps atop pigpile of mediocrity. Fat jokes ensue as baseball's Kevin James finds new locale to call home.

Feb. 12: Miguel Odalis (Martinez) Tejada pleads guilty to lying to federal investigators about ... everything? Former AL MVP as of this writing is man without team. And speaking of controversial former members of Team, rumors swirl about Roberto (Velazquez) Alomar, his former ladyfriend and, um, AIDs. Wayward O could never figure out which parts of that mess were true.

Feb. 19: Roberts becomes Oriole-for-life with $40 million deal that runs through 2013. Whine-o-Spere drops endless posts about 2nd-basemen "wearing down" and pointing toward inane stats. But Reality-o-Sphere lauds signing, considered to be second crucial off-season extension. Earlier in week Roberts publicly forgave everyone but self (read: Larry Robert Bigbie) for steroids debacle, which would claim more big names as season progressed.

Feb. 20: Peter Schmuck drops yearly scoop on Diaspora - Aub. has MANHORSE tatt! Only brief glimpses from grainy video stills are made available of artwork but new nickname is spawned. Aub. if you are out there ... send pic to Blog! This and reports of Pie rap song are two enduring cultural mysteries.

March 4: Young Adam Jones, on way to Gold Glove, standout year, says "I’d like to see more black athletes playing baseball." Black athletes Yawn, stretch, shoot around.

March 7: When you are blogger, you say things. Some of them are stupid. Wayward O wrote "team doesn't have best bench in AL East with Scott, Freel and Wigginton?" What teh Hell, Wayward O? Wayward O does not admit or deny liability for statement as condition of settlement and agrees to injunctive relief sought by Prosecutor of Dumb.

March 8: Matthew Richard Wieters breaks up putative Twins' no-hitter in Spring tilt. Team loses 2-0 but feat quickly adds to legend of future Greatest Catcher Ever. After game Weet says, "I think every at-bat you go up there trying to get a hit," which, damn.

March 23: Some doods upload fight song. And manage to rhyme Izturis with Markakis ... what a country!

March 25: Wayward O predicts Mets will go to World Series behind NL MVP David Allen Wright. Ha ha ha. Actually not worst prediction ever. But still funny. In August conking of Wright on head by pitch caps hellish Met year.

March 29: Miniature shitstorm ensues after rainout turns into game -- and broadcasters aren't there. Joe and Fred issue explanation. What if Joe Angel were pilot? It would be scary ride but announcements from cockpit would be funny. And Fred could deploy Moustache as emergency slide chute after flying past Minneapolis. Actually radio broadcast Team gets high marks despite occasional bouts with hopelessness as often-frustrating year drags on.

April 3: Hayden Penn sent packing for Robert Lazaro Andino, who got into nearly half of Team's games in 2009 and acquitted self. Redundant note to fans who currently think every young pitcher on Team is next Jim Palmer: there will be Penns. Christopher Cory Gomez is last man cut -- which in retrospect was dumb.

April 8: After gut-wrenching Opening Day win, Koji goes 5 and Team runs regular season record to 2-0 with second win over eventual Champs. DiaspOra giddy.

April 11: Melly Mo hits Grand Slam in 6-0 win over 2008 AL Champs Tampa Bay. Jeremy Guthrie runs record to 2-0.

April 13: Baltimore jerseys MAKE DEBUT!

April 20: Team completes four-game sweep in Boston in which Team gets swept. Your losing pitchers are Danys Baez, Adam Eaton, Uehara and Hendrickson. Although to be fair it was Guthrie who kind of lost first game, squandering 7-run outburst by Team. In final game Freel gets conked by baseball never to return or something. Freel. Another particle on dustbin of recent history.

April 21: Bradley Steven Bergesen, on tight pitch count, stops losing madness with a 1-ER win in Chicago. Wayward O, in effort to remember how to spell name, is first ever to call him "three E" -- and you could look it up (provided you know how to advance search in Google) so stop taking credit for shits you didn't invent.

April 27: Adam Jones takes out Texas with three-run homer, splits pants...

Image via MASN
April 29: For some reason Nick M. decides he's Lou Brock in 8th inning during close game v. Angels. Attempt to steal second helps seal 3-2 home loss and it's one of many, many baserunning blunders Team makes on season. Said bumbling almost gets Manager run.

May 7:

That is all

May 12: Amber's Wiki hacked. Silly season in full swing and not even Summer yet! Well why not? It's 'nother lost season anyway. Red Sox fans secretly jellus, though, because Team's players are cooler. And Boston Girls got Broccoli in they teeth.

May 21: Team completes three-game sweep at Yankee stadium in which Team is swept by Yankees. In attendance at new ballpark Wayward O remembers thinking Andino looked nervous and pretty much out of depth.

May 26: Daniel Alberto (Cruz) Cabrera, jettisoned by Team in December, is jettisoned by lowly Nationals of Washington.

May 26: BLOGGER NITE! Wayward O cracks Billy Ripken jokes, eats free crabcake. Also: Wieters coming up to big club.

May 28: Nolan G. Reimold hits 3-run homer in 11th to sink Blue Jays in SuperPalooka Double Overtime Massacre. Dwindling crowds at Camden buzz with news talented kids finally are on way.

Sweet
May 29: Wieters ohfer in MLB debut but conjurs up sweet rainbow. Luke Brandon Scott hits Grand Slam. Scott annointed next Jim Thome. Wayward O yawns, checks out Aubrey Huff Wiki for nuggets from life lived not-so-deliberately.

June 7: Team starts month with 1-5 road trip out west. In one Seattle game future and erstwhile member of Team Erik Joseph Bedard goes 6.1 allowing one earned run.

June 17: Wieters hits first of 527 MLB home runs, most of which are still pending. Fact: Wieters got full extension on that one.

June 21: Team sweeps World Series-bound Phillies in Philly.

Always sunny...

Young fan of Philadelphia team gets into it as fans jeer apparent blown call that went way of Team. Something akin to "Replay Madness" grips Whine-o-Sphere. Please let it go away.

June 25: Team completes sweep in Florida in which Marlins sweep Team.

June 28: Team signs first-round draft pick Matthew Micah Hobgood, handing him $2 million-plus bonus, avoiding signing deadline drama and spawning raft of hobgoblin jokes. Jones and Huff make fun of his clothes. He buys suit.

July 4: For 837th time Buck Martinez notes how player "gets full extension" while swinging baseball bat at baseball. Gasping with shock at revelation, entire baseball world stands silent for few moments while regaining composure. By end of year Buck takes his edgy act out of City and briefly can be found at Poetry Slams in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, plying verbal Wares.

July 8: Aubrey Lewis Huff takes field sporting moustache. Team scores 5 in ninth to beat Seattle a day after...

Manager blows lid July 7
Ejecto-Tremb! Wess Coass' Style

July 14: Jones collects sac fly to put AL up run in All-Star game. Then somehow Jones ends up in right field for final inning. Jones in RF is TAMPA AFFRONT to Team but it's cool. Revenge best served cold when Trembo someday is All-Star Mgr. he will stick Carlos Pena at short. Hahaha Wayward O has vivid imagination.

July 17: "Fire Dave Trembley" brass band achieves full roar and manager says "I'm the holding tank, I'm here until it gets real good. I've heard all that stuff. I don't think I work for people like that." Manager would have to wait more than two months to discover whether bluff worked.

July 18: Tired, sweaty Koji goes on disabled list to spend more time with masseuse.

Aug. 11: David Jose Hernandez takes down a QS in 3-2 home win over Oakland in which Melvin Mora gets weirdest RBI of season -- off nub of bat. Buck silent, unable to work "full extension" into call. Just another Memlocious Moment to savor amid Third Baseman's Latter Days.

Aug. 14: Felix hits for Cycle and Grumpy Angel Skipper gets mad. Felix becoming known throughout MLB for ~~inappropriately~~ hearty celebrations.

Aug. 17: NOT DRY EYE IN CRABTOWN as AUB. gets traded to Vidalia. Huff proceeds to stink up Tigers' already sputtering chase for playoffs and as Blogpost is being typed does not appear to be man with baseball contract.

Wayward O to Aub.: Please trade in all Country discs for Rock musics. You will hit better. Promise.

July 29: Christopher S. Tillman makes debut going 4+ in win over Kansas City Royals.

Aug. 4: Brian Robert Matusz makes sparkling debut going 5 in win over Detroit. Young talent translates to elusive late-season wins for Team.

Aug. 18: During one nasty stretch, Dempsey's Army remarks "[I]f you are writing a blog strictly about the Baltimore Orioles, there is no respite. You suck it up, keep writing about the losing or fade away." Wayward O nods. Keeps blogging.

Aug. 29: Rain storm clogs Camden drain during loss to Cleveland. And in move that makes some wonder Team sends Joey Renard Gathright to Boston for a player to be named.

Aug. 31 - Sept. 2: Team kicks off playoff push with home sweep versus Yankees in which Team is swept at home by Yankees.

Sept. 17 - 30: Team completes playoff push with 13-game streak in which Team loses 13 straight games. Over stretch Team outscOred by 85 - 39. On Sept. 18 Memlo becomes 2nd all-time Team third baseman in terms of games played, passing Doug DeCinces and getting props from Brooksie.

A wonderful Sun Photo
Sept. 12: Nolan ROY-mold makes sick catch.

Don't even say it! (jeteresque)
... then gets shut down for year a few days later because of Bum Tendon. Much of month is spent by Team and last 16 fans discussing which Kids should be spelled for remainder of Year.

Oct. 2: Trembley does not get fired! And Maj. Brig. Col. Gen. Andrew Schippenbacher MacPhail coins MEANINGFUL IMPROVEMENT sobriquent for 2010 season. But Team ends season Oct. 4 with four-game win streak, avoiding stigma of 100-loss season.

Oct. 4: Sad Memlo tips cap to fans. Bloggers shed Tear. Wayward O maybe too. Just sayin'. Times gone by...

Sun Photo
Wayward O finds it disconcerting baseball is being played by Team in October when normally October is ...

Uneventful
But thanks to suits at Fox, who treat all that is holy with extreme prejudice in lustful pursuit of money, entire post-season pushed back week. Also during postseason Fox Yaps make endless push to ~~sell more beer ads~~ expand Replay in Baseball. Joe Buck you are a partisan and a cad.

Oct 5. - Nov. 4: Playoffs or something.

Nov. 11: Adam Jones wins Gold Glove!

Image via MASN

Friends of Blog meet Jonesie at party, ask Jonesie which Flavor of Gum he prefers. Jonesie Demurs, saying he likes all kinds. So very Magnanimous!

Dec. 2: Team releases enticing March 2010 Grapefruit Schedule for new Spring training venue.

Dec. 7: Slimmed-down David Trembley vows to be hard-ass next year. Doesn't want to give away outs on basepaths! Teams off-field moves have clearly put pressure on Manager to show he can take off losing hat and put on some other hat.

Dec. 10: Would you look at that extension? Buck Martinez departs MASN for Toronto. See ya!

Decemberish: Team signs Garrett Bernard Atkins and Michael Vela Gonzalez to play for Team in 2010. Team trades Christopher T. Ray for Kevin Austin Millwood and also gets suitcase full of cash. Many days leading up to Christmas-tide and Chanuka-mas are spent chewing over what means moves. Overall consensus is Moves are measured more with upside than downside. Endless Yack ensues about how every single prospect on Team is future HoF'er and should never be traded or even dangled.

Dec. 22: Team signs Aussie Hurler with 7.00 ERA but in Southern Hemisphere stat is calculated using Square Root of Earth's Corialis Constant so Chris Lamb widely seen as major piece of puzzle going forward.

Dec. 25: Wayward O receives spiffy Spring Os jacket and picks up Team-branded winter hat at 20% off Sale. Wayward O's ladyfriend notes profusion of Team-branded apparel in apartment.

Rest of Year: Seems destined to be quiet except for fans harassing Rock about Adrian Gonzalez.

As ever, dear reader, please let Blog know what nuggets Blog overlooked ...

studs Or duds?

noreply@blogger.com (the wayward o) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 15:30:00 +0000

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.

jeremy spOke in class

noreply@blogger.com (the wayward o) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 16:16:00 +0000

It has come to Wayward O's attention that Camden Yards is going Green.

lanthOrn
If Rumors are True Stadium's ANTI-WARMING initiative will Feature:

bike rack for guthrie
meat rack for milwood*
dip n dot solar powered cooling coils
boog-exhaust and Thorne-Aire™ collection ports
free composting for all MIDDLE RELIEVERS

Mr. Albert Gore would be so proud!!!

* oh relax. Wayward O is only KIDDING AROUND

bOgeyman

noreply@blogger.com (the wayward o) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 01:06:00 +0000

Don't even THINK about going OPRAH ROUTE!

Here's yer mea culpa, Winfrey
You don't owe sh*t-eating gossipshere or YAMMERING TV JACKALS anything!

Straighten up things on home front and go kick Y.E. Yang and Phil Mickelson in teeth on links!

Anybody steps to you about Elin, wrap 3-iron around their neck!

If you have to spill your guts to anyone, make it CHI CHI RODRIGUEZ, over three Martinis, with nobody else around!

Victory Red!!!!

O fights!, part 1

noreply@blogger.com (the wayward o) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 14:38:00 +0000

Welcome to NEW FEATURE from blog! Oh sure you can spend your winters LIMNING ASYMPTOTIC THIRD BASEMAN DEPTH CHART or YELLING ABOUT BRUCE CHEN and this is good and noble.

But Wayward O is not what you'd call a STATS GUY. For example, he thinks BATTING AVERAGE is good stat for hitters and WINS and LOSSES is good stat for pitchers.

Dumb.

Anyways here is new feature which pits player on Team versus LIKELY COMER in KEY AREAS.

Without further ado ... welcome of O Fights! Part One .... let's get ready to rummmmble!

Images from Brandon Billings and Baltimore Sun
There you have it folks. Coming up NEXT on O Fights! Part 2 .... MEMLO v. HUGO CHAVEZ!

Please enjoy rest of weekend and try not to get antsy as offseason trickle volumizes into full-blown roar....

PS. You want to talk Lobsterbacks? You want to talk MUST WIN? Here's MUST WIN!

three-day hOme sets!

noreply@blogger.com (the wayward o) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:25:00 +0000

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.

stalking hOrses

noreply@blogger.com (the wayward o) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:28:00 +0000

There is lots of talking in baseball web sites these days. People ... talking about people. Like BONNIE RAITT SONG! So here is answers to questions, which you did not necessarily ask, but which you subconsciously pondered:

1. YES -- Suddenly penny-pinching Cubs should give up farm for Halladay. It's Cubs' best way to enhance World Series prospects.

1a. NO -- Cubs are not likely to get this done.

2. YES -- Mets will sign Matt Holliday to massive contract. Think 6 years / $120 million for Scott Boras vehicle. But Wayward O isn't sure Queens team's headlong forward dive into further uncertainty will produce anything more than typical year-in, year-out chaos.

2a. DUNNO -- Should Mets do this? Hard to say. Maybe? (See: 2a.)

3. YES -- Boston Red Socks will get it done with Jason Bay. Oh sure he'll go out a-Courtin' and other GMs will put on feathers boas and finery ... but in end he'll stay in Boston. Because Boston needs firepowers to pretend they're still going to be in mix vs. FrankenYanks. So Bay gets fifth year and anudder pile o' loot to stash next to other pile.

3a. N0 -- World Series-purchasing Yankees aren't likely to make big splashes. Wayward O suspects Yankees feel they're loaded for bear for next couple years. Unless they sneak in winning bid somehow for a Jermaine Dye or Red Sox drop ball on Bay. They feel like Swish is lucky mascot and aren't in hurry to bolster outfield.

4. YEAH -- You know who is going to be out there making a play for Dye? Is surprising Braves, who need a bat or two for a 2010 playoff push against Phillies, who appear to be standing pat. Our buddy Miguel Tejada might end up on Bravos for year or two, as well, as Astros decide to get younger.

5. NO WAY -- San Francisco Giants aren't going to play role of stalking horse bidders only to be outgunned by overcaffeined, big-market Omar Minayas of world. There's no upper decky for Hideki in right field, but Godzilla could provide a few relatively inexpensive splashdowns in McCovey Cove as Gints seek return to postsesaon.

6. SORTA -- Last year Team's massive offer for Teixeira proved to be just such placeholder bid. Sadly. Team doesn't see itself as stalking horse bidder and offer for John Lackey will be serious.

6a. DUNNO --
6a. (1) -- If said offer will be made public or
6a. (2) -- If said offer will be successful

6b.YES -- Team has more loot than most teams. (See: 6a.)

7. YEAH -- Dodgers are mess. Hard to see them making real plays in FA market this year given War of Roses at top.

8. YES -- COREY PATTERS0N IS FREE AGENT!! (See: List.)

9. YES -- Your blog is MAD INFLUENTIAL!!!

annOinted

noreply@blogger.com (the wayward o) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:49:00 +0000

Wayward O works for living so please excuse lateness of post.

Video vis MLB.com
Blog would like to recommend re-living Toronto announcer Jamie Campbell's call on May 9 ... here is transcript:

and now wells charges one to center field. jones is back, leaping annnnndddd....

(pause, interrupted by sky dome fog horn thing)

... he's got it

(long pause)

he made the catch.
Well done, Mr. Blue Jay play-by-play guy. Especially that last bit - lightly spiced with zestful hint of incredulity.

Sadly for Mr. Adam Jones, many of his hometown defense exploits will forever be tainted by seemingly lost TV announcer who does not read blogs.

Twas ever thus, friend. Though Wayward O will say this: Most people in real world would get fired if they f_ck_d up their jobs this bad. And when boss dropped hammer, they would say ... "Yeah. Yeahp. True enough. You got me there."

Oh, and without repeating what was reported elsewhere sixty-eight times, Jonesie's comments upon receiving defensive accolade suggest he:

1) cares about team
2) understands game
3) is nice man

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Andrew Xavier MacPhail has told Balzmo Sun that there is GLUT of third basemen. There are so many in fact, they probably will work for food.

But, friends, Mr. Josh Bell - s/k/a guy team got for Flat Breezy - is hitting .324 in Arizona or something. What's a perennial last-place Team to do? Wayward O knows not...

Just to leave fans with something to warm hearts as weather cools and offseason heats, here is scan of Autographed Joe Orsulak baseball card, courtesy of Mr. Mess:

.273 lifetime, son

rings and mOney

noreply@blogger.com (the wayward o) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:41:00 +0000

It's funny how some players who betray whatever colors they may have to play for Yankees -- and tap down a few extra million in process -- get to parade through Canyon of Heroes and before drunken horde...

Image via Sports Illustrated
While others must be content to sit and count their stash.

Come again all you baseball sophisticates and explain again to Wayward O how it's all just business.

melmemplOyment line

noreply@blogger.com (the wayward o) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:14:00 +0000

happy hallOween

noreply@blogger.com (the wayward o) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:25:00 +0000

Looks like good ol' Sammy Perlozzo found costume!

Image via FOX
Hey Sammy -- DON'T PULL GUTHRIE, OK?

Nevermind....

If Wayward O had his druthers, which he does not ... have ... he'd go as this guy:

Image via MASN

Or maybe a Memlo Hobo.

ez mOney manny

noreply@blogger.com (the wayward o) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

think manny will opt out of $20 million deal for 2010? you know, and re-test market?

Image via LA Times
why should he? he can behave how he likes and joe torre will do his best to find flimsy reasons why ramirez just a reguluh guy.

on bright side, they have some of world's top ~~clubhouse~~ cancer screening clinics in so cal.