As someone who is a huge Orioles fan and someone from Northern VA I felt it important to talk about the big issue here. Mark Reynolds is playing absolutely horrible and Brandon Snyder who was terrific at Westfield High School in Northern VA should not have been let go. Many Westfield kids, including Brandon Snyder did Explosive Performance (speed camp) with my high school. We weren't usually in a class with them, but we did do Combine Training in the same group as Westfield. I was not happy when Snyder was dumped. I know that hindsight is 20/20, but let's look at this in greater detail.
Currently on the 40 man roster is Jai Miller. Miller was the person who was added the same day as Snyder. He was the guy that was added in the move right before Snyder was dealt to get Snyder off the 40 man. The strikeout king better get it together, because Brandon Snyder sure has looked good for Texas. People will go back to Jai Miller vs. Brandon Snyder constantly if Miller continues to struggle and Snyder continues to excel. Miller did hit a homer last night though at least. Jai Miller is the main guy added to knock Snyder off the 40, but he is not the only guy.
Another person on the 40 man is Nick Johnson. Johnson has not been able to hit out of a wet paper bag this season. The guy has been dreadful this season. It is amazing that the Orioles are tied for the best record in baseball as often as they march Johnson out there. Now, Johnson isn't really to blame for Snyder. He was signed to a minor league deal and earned a job in spring training. Still, would you rather have Snyder or Johnson?
Then there is Josh Bell. Bell was traded recently by the Orioles. We did not get much for Bell, but we got something. Still you have to wonder why Josh was sent out of town after Snyder. Was it because Texas was willing to give up cash? You would have to imagine that someone would have given up cash for Bell at that point. This stinks of poor decision. Had the roles been reversed, and Snyder been sent to spring training, would he have beaten out Nick Johnson for a roster spot? Could we have saved ourselves that disaster last night and had a really solid bench piece. A guy that can catch in a pinch.
Finally, we get to Mark Reynolds. Look I am obviously not a Reynolds fan. The guy is dreadful in the field. He had another incredibly costly error last night. Could we not have traded Reynolds in the offseason? Fresh off a campaign with over 30 homers couldn't we have gotten something of value? Especially given the fact that he looked ok at first and could be used as a DH for some teams. Would you rather have Brandon Snyder at third or old stone hands. I would have preferred Brandon personally especially if we could dump Reynolds and his salary and use the money elsewhere. Another starting pitcher perhaps? Guess we can only play what if on this one.
Oh we also have Zelous Wheeler, Joe Mahoney, and Matt Antonelli on the 40 man. I am not dissing any of these guys, but I would rather have Brandon Snyder than all of them.
-Noland
The Orioles somehow managed to pull out a victory tonight with Jeremy Hellickson on the mound for the Rays. Baltimore scored 3 runs off Hellickson which kept it a close game. After Hellickson came out, Nick Johnson hit a two run homer off of Peralta. Yes, Nick Johnson the guy who does not hit ever hit the go ahead homer against the Rays. Please keep hitting Nick.
Another big reason for the win was that Eveland pitched well in his Oriole debut. Anybody that can match Hellickson's performance is ok with me. The guy pitched well today. Especially for just being placed on the roster today. The rest of the pitching staff did well with O'Day picking up the win. Jim Johnson picked up his 10th save for the birds.
