Baltimore Orioles: You can run but you can’t hide from justice

The Baltimore Orioles defeated the Houston Astros exactly once in 2017 – the year in which Houston, led by manager A.J. Hinch, won the World Series. As we know now, Houston cheated their way to that title, and kept right on cheating after winning it. Yesterday those chickens came home to roost.Major League Baseball announced that the Astros were having the following penalties levied against them:

  • One-year suspension for manager A.J. Hinch
  • One-year suspension for GM Jeff Luhnow
  • Loss of first and second round draft picks in the 2020 and 2021 drafts
  • $5 million organizational fine
  • The placement of former Astros assistant GM Brandon Taubman on baseball’s ineligible list

Let me be very clear; these penalties are appropriate. When you cheat the game you do so at your own risk. You can run, but you can’t hide. And when it comes, justice is swift and sure.

And in this case justice is being handed down at a particularly sensitive time. Pitchers and catchers report in less than a month. So in essence an interim front office staff’s going to have to figure out whether it makes sense to elevate a base coach as an interim manager, or whether they should hire someone from outside instead.

Furthermore if you’re a Houston Astros’ fan, you have to think that perhaps the season’s going to be punted. Not to mention the future, with the team missing two years’ worth of first and second round picks. All of this sends a powerful message to all players when it comes to cheating. Just don’t do it.

Incidentally, within an hour of these penalties being handed down, Houston decided to fire both Jeff Luhnow and A.J. Hinch. For what it’s worth, my understanding is that Hinch still cannot be a part of any organization this year. So even if someone wanted to hire him in some capacity this year, that would be out of the question. All the more reason not to cheat.

Baltimore Orioles: Is sports knowledge too commonplace?

The Baltimore Orioles lucked out when they hired Brandon Hyde. In him they got a good baseball man who had worked his way up the coaching ranks. And it in fact appears that he’s being given full autonomy to do what he wants to do with the team on the field.

I heard a disturbing story over the weekend regarding the Cleveland Browns (of the NFL) and their new head coach, Kevin Stefanski. First off, Stefanski’s a guy who could be seen as similar to Hyde. He’s worked his way up the coaching ranks, and now he’s getting his big break to be a head coach.

It’s almost a given that a coach in any sport who’s never been the head guy is going to take over a bad team. And the Cleveland Browns certainly qualify as a bad team (at best, underachieving). But I read an article over the weekend which stated that Stefanski was told that he’s to turn in his game plans to ownership and to the analytics department at the end of every week. Owner Jimmy Haslam and his analytics department will then go over the game plan, and presumably have the autonomy to make changes if the deem it necessary.

That’s an alleged report. However it’s consistent with some of the things I’ve heard about Haslam’s ownership tenure. And that’s an untenable situation for a head coach in any sport. To have to turn in game plans to the owner? That’s akin to a baseball owner calling pitches from his suite.

However as sports have become more and more a part of mainstream culture in America, they become more well-known. I think I know baseball pretty well – needless to say, well enough to write about it! I also think I know football and basketball pretty well. But I’m also smart enough to know that I don’t know enough about these sports to coach them at the professional level.

I suppose what I’m saying is that many people seem to believe that simply because they “know the game,” they’re good enough to know it at all levels. It appears that the Cleveland Browns have an owner who’s not only not empowering his people, but who thinks he knows the game well enough to be going over game plans. That isn’t a recipe for success.

Baltimore Orioles: Does swagger overcome skill?

Over the last decade I’ve covered some of the best Baltimore Orioles’ teams, as well as the worst. For the record, the worst team was probably the 2018 O’s. And that still has me scratching my head, incidentally. But the best? The 2014 AL East Champion Orioles.

About that 2014 team…in my view they were the best in baseball that year. Hands down. Justifiably, that should have been the franchise’s fourth World Series Championship. Not only were they a championship-caliber team, but they handled themselves as true professionals. As only a true Buck Showalter-led team can be.

The O’s of course were tripped up in the ALCS by a Kansas City Royals team that was on a mission. Professionalism was put on the back burner by that group, as their only focus was winning the game. And win they did. Again, I personally believe that the O’s were the best team in baseball that year. Yet a team with swagger, confidence, and joie de vivre defeated this power-hitting team by way of broken bat singles and hunts. The Birds were paper cut to death.

When I watched last night’s Ravens’ playoff game against Tennessee, I had flashbacks to that ALCS. Once again, Baltimore was the better team – on paper. Once again, you had an opponent who came in with a lot of momentum and a lot of swagger. And they somehow defeated a Baltimore team that they shouldn’t have. And if you look at Tennessee’s offensive numbers last night, they kind of paper cut the Ravens to death. (Quarterback Ryan Tannehill threw for 88 yards last night – and two touchdowns.)

So…does swagger outdo skill? If you take the 2014 Orioles (and Royals) and the 2019 Ravens (and Titans), perhaps it does. Heck, look at the 2017 Philadelphia Eagles defeating the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. Did anyone other than Philadelphia see that coming?

Look at a team near and dear to my heart, the current Maryland Terrapins’ basketball team. This is a team that’s loaded with talent. They were outdone the other night by an Iowa team that had noticeably less talent. But which did have swagger. The same is true of the Terps’ loss earlier in the season against Penn State.

This isn’t a recent phenomenon, incidentally. The 1969 NY Jets famously defeated the Baltimore Colts in the Super Bowl. You see the same thing there. A great team was beaten by a team less-skilled team who simply believed they could shove it down their opponents’ throats.

So if swagger wins games, why isn’t every team full of it? I’m not sure it’s quite that simple. You have to play with swagger and live with it. All of the teams I’ve mentioned totally threw caution to the wind. They so hated the concept of losing, they became unafraid of it. Outwardly that makes little sense, but again consider the 2014 Royals. If you look at the determination they had in their eyes to win, it almost looks like the Orioles were playing not to lose. The same is true of the Titans last night.

This attitude is merciless to opponents. Again, any break the Royals and Titans caught in games, they exploited. And they weren’t shy about tell you. Again, it’s too easy to suggest that anyone who believes he’s going to win and is willing to take risks will do so. But maybe there’s something to be said for confidence. Obviously, however, skill means something also.

Baltimore Orioles to no show at arbitration this year

The Baltimore Orioles won’t be going to arbitration this year. At all. And that’s a good thing for everyone involved.

The Birds yesterday reached salary contract agreements with their remaining three arbitration-eligible players, Trey Mancini, Hanser Alberto, and Mychal Givens. Givens signed for $3.225 million, and Alberto for $1.65 million. Mancini’s number hasn’t yet been disclosed.

Again, the fact that no Orioles are being scheduled for arbitration is a good thing.. As I said yesterday, I think it’s one of the stupidest processes in sports. Now it just so happens that the Orioles are pretty good at it, having lost two cases in the era of Peter Angelos’ ownership. But it can cause ill feelings and it’s just not worth splitting hairs in my view.

Baltimore Orioles: Arbitration deadline day

Today is the deadline for the Baltimore Orioles to come to a contract with Trey Mancini, Hanser Alberto, and Mychal Givens. If the sides are unable to agree, arbitration hearings will be scheduled for sometime between February 3-21st. The sides of course could still read an agreement before then (in which case the hearing would be canceled), but that’s where the sides are now.

I think that arbitration is one of the dumbest processes in MLB. Perhaps in sports. The team’s literally arguing that their own player’s not worth the money he claims he is. Now there are plenty of situations in which players are unreasonable about their salary requests. But in essence that’s the procedure – the player’s arguing his virtues, and the team’s arguing his faults.

What’s not in question is that any of the three aforementioned players are on the roster on Opening Day (pending any trades that could be made). They will be. It’s just a matter of how much they’ll be making.

Baltimore Orioles: Is Spring Training overly laid back?

Roughly 33 days until the Baltimore Orioles’ pitchers and catchers report to Sarasota for Spring Training. A couple of weeks later Florida Grapefruit league play begins in earnest. That means games.

One thing I hear a lot from fans is that they enjoy making the trek down to Spring Training because it’s much more laid back. Players are more approachable for autographs, many of the games are in the afternoon sun, and overall it’s just a more relaxed atmosphere. But should it be?

Please note, I’m in no way suggesting that players shouldn’t be approachable for autographs. In fact, I think that they should be MORE willing to sign autographs in ballparks while they’re on the field. Some players will come out and do it, but others will not. If fan engagement means something, give people what they want.

But players often say the same thing – that spring training is much more relaxed and laid back than the regular season. Well, veteran players say that at least. Guys who don’t have to necessarily work their way onto the team. I suspect if you’re playing for a job it isn’t quite as laid back as we’re led to believe.

However should it be as laid back as it apparently is? In saying that, I suppose I’m talking about the actual games. Players approach the games knowing they’re only playing a few innings. Heck, teams publish the rotation of pitchers that will pitch that day, for how long, and for which inning.

Spring Training is seen as a “destination,” while NFL Preseason is almost laughed off. However I know that many NFL coaches tell their starting players that they should prepare to play the entire game during preseason. And I think that’s prudent. While in the back of his mind the player might know he’s getting lifted at some point, it puts him in the mindset to be prepared.

When you tell guys how long they’re going to be in the game, or when they’ll be entering it, they might not take things quite as seriously. If I’m a manager I want my pitchers to have that bulldog mentality, just as they might in the regular season. If the team’s lost a couple of games in a row, I want my starting pitcher to think of himself as the team’s “stopper” that day – as he would in the regular season.

Instead players and coaches talk about getting their work in and so forth. And that’s important – don’t get me wrong. But if you prepare in a tough manner in the spring, you’ll prepare in a tough manner once the regular season rolls around. Just a thought.

Baltimore Orioles: More cheating

The Baltimore Orioles and the rest of Major Leauge Baseball now have a deeper cheating scandal with which to deal. The Houston situation is one we already knew. But apparently now the Boston Red Sox are in the mix as well.

Allegedly, the BoSox would utilize the instant replay room to steal signs and have them relayed to their players. Every team has a replay person, and every clubhouse has a “replay room.” The team’s replay person analyzes close plays and relays to the manager whether or not he should challenge the call on the field.

Again, allegedly team personnel would also be in the BoSox’s replay room using the monitors to see which pitches were coming. This is against all MLB rules. Both written and unwritten.

Here’s an interesting correlation. Alex Cora was the bench coach in Houston the year they were accused of cheating. He’s now the manager of the Boston Red Sox. That could certainly be a coincidence. But it would be a heck of one to accept.

MLB has moved slower on this issue than I would have liked. It seemed that all the signs pointed to Houston having committed the acts of cheating. Yet no discipline. One has to hope that it’s coming, and that an investigation is done into the Boston situation also. Both of these franchises also won World Series’ doing this. That shouldn’t be lost on anyone.

Baltimore Orioles sign Jose Iglesias

The Baltimore Orioles may have solidified their 2020 shortstop situation. The team appears to have signed veteran shortstop Jose Iglesias yesterday to a one-year contract. Iglesias will make $3 million this season. There’s also a $3 million club option for 2021. The Orioles have yet to confirm the deal.

Iglesias is a good defensive shortstop, who should add some stability to a middle infield that had it’s issues last year. He’s a career .273 hitter, and has a career OPS of .687. I’ll be interested to see what this means for Ritchie Martin, last year’s Rule 5 pick. I suspect he starts the season in Norfolk.

One would assume that Iglesias will jump to the top of the depth chart, and be the Opening Day starting shortstop. Iglesias should be a very viable replacement for Jonathan Villar, who the O’s traded to Miami earlier this off season. The difference is that it’s a lower years’ commitment, which makes the roster easier for the Orioles to manage moving forward.

Baltimore Orioles: Minicamp in Sarasota

The Baltimore Orioles are hosting their annual winter minicamp this week at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. Manager Brandon Hyde will oversee the camp, and the Orioles are expecting a large turnout. It’ll mainly be young pitchers, and players who live in the area (Gulf Coast of Florida).

This also gives Hyde a chance to get his coaching staff, which has seen some turnover, together in an official capacity for the first time and evaluate players. And Hyde knows that’s important for the future:

We’re going to have meetings and it’s pretty much getting together as a coaching staff, as well as our support staff with our advance guys and some analysts.

Quote Courtesy of Roch Kubatko, MASNsports

And the point about some of the coaches being new isn’t lost on Brandon Hyde:

It’s pretty much just getting together, talking about spring training, talking about goals. Everybody getting on the same page. We have a couple new staff members and it’s getting familiar with each other before we embark on this journey.

Quote courtesy of Roch Kubatko, MASNsports

Personally I think the idea of having this minicamp (which dates back to former manager Buck Showalter), is a good one. It allows pitchers and younger players to be on the same page before they even need to be. And when you’re attempting a rebuild the caliber of what the Orioles are doing, that’s a big deal.

Baltimore Orioles: Dynasties don’t die easily

Many Baltimore Orioles fans, who presumably are also Ravens fans, probably watched with glee last night as the New England Patriots lost to the Tennessee Titans in the first round of the NFL playoffs. I’m no different. Many say that this is the end of the Patriots’ reign as the creme de la creme of the NFL.

And it’s easy to see why. Quarterback Tom Brady’s old, and his contract’s up. Moving forward this is a franchise that could look vastly different.

But don’t be so sure that their dynasty is over. Look no further than the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. As the Orioles of the 2010’s we’re coming onto the national stage as a power, those two franchises appeared to have their stars dimming. But franchise like the Yankees, Red Sox, and yes the New England Patriots don’t necessarily go quietly into the night.

The New York Yankees quietly retooled. They had a few lackluster seasons, but nothing like what the Orioles have been in 2018 and 2019. The Boston Red Sox on the other hand did have some really poor seasons. However their success overall allowed them to in effect poke fun at themselves while going through that. My parents went to a game at Fenway in 2014, and they handed out “First to Worst” buttons. This while quietly getting their top prospects ready to come to the big leagues and retool the franchise.

Boston did it with their minor leagues. New York did it with trades. Either way my point is that these were two franchises who were used to being in the mix. And they took steps to ensure that they’d be back in the mix very quickly. Now the caveat to this is that this requires that they hit on every prospect and every trade, in order to be successful with their goal. And guess what? They did.

Point here is that regardless of what Tom Brady does moving forward, the New England Patriots are used to winning. I wouldn’t expect them to go quietly into the night. It’s possible that the “era” is over. But they created that era by making smart moves and building their football team. And very quietly, they could easily do so again.