Yardbarker: Jeremy Guthrie

Blogging the Offseason: Baltimore Orioles

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:33:00 -0500

Blogging the Offseason is a 30 team series in which I ask a blogging representative from each MLB team a series of ten questions about their desires and thoughts surrounding the offseason. Check out all of them here.

Today's team is the Baltimore Orioles and our guest is Jeff from the Baltimore Sports Blog Right Off Russell.

1. Nick Markakis has been your best young player for the past few years but has seemingly flatlined in power and average in the past three seasons. Do you think Markakis is just a solid .300 20 HR hitter or do you think his power explodes next year?
In a lot of ways this was Markakis' most disappointing year. Each year he has seemed to improve, but in '09 he lacked consistency offensively. His power numbers were down, strikeouts up, walks down and he was just very streaky. Whether or not Markakis is every going to be more than he has shown the last three years is something I have discussed often. I have not come to a definitively conclusion, but my gut right now tells me that he will improve but never ascend to super star status. I do think that if the Orioles can surround Markakis with one or two more middle of the lineup bats, his numbers would be helped out greatly.

2. I'm sure as an Orioles fan you are looking forward to the day when Jeremy Guthrie is no longer your opening day starter / "ace" will one of the Youngsters step up and take de-seat Guthrie?
I do expect Guthrie to bounce back somewhat in 2010. Will he be the pitcher that he was in '07 and '08. Probably not, but he can be much better than he was in '09. He is not a top of the rotation guy, but I also do not think this is the year when a younger arm steps forward. The main candidates, besides Guthrie, to start opening day are Brian Matusz and Brad Bergersen> I don't think either are ready, not would the O's feel the need to rush them. Provided that Guthrie is healthy and the O's do not acquire a free agent starter, I believe Guthrie will get the call on to start the season.

3. Speaking of the youngsters, whom do you think has the most potential between Matusz, Bergesen, Tillman, and Hernandez?
Matusz is definitely the guy with the best combination of stuff and pitch making ability. I salivate watching Cliff Lee and Cole Hammels (last year anyway), because that is the type of pitcher I think Matusz can become. After that Bergesen has great command and know how, but not great stuff. Tillman needs to work on his location with his fastball, which does not explode the way I had hoped. Hernandez may be destined for a late inning relief role. He will get more looks as a starter, but I am not sure he is cut out for it.

4. There are a few closers on the market this offseason, do you think the Orioles try to sure up the bullpen or try to get it done within? Any chance Chris Ray can be good again?
Ray can be good again, but I am not sure he is a closer. If I were the Orioles I would not sign a closer. I would like to audition Ray, Jim Johnson, Kam Mickolio and maybe even Koji Uehara in the role and see if one of them can claim the job. I am a believer that you develop your arms from within and I think the Orioles can have the patience to do that since '10 is not a year they expect to be in playoff contention.

5. Who are a few logical free agents that you think the Orioles will target in the offseason?
I would love to see the Oriole go after Matt Holliday. He is still young enough that he can have an impact when the rest of the club is ready to contend and he is the middle of the order bat the team needs. Plus I just like him as a player and I have a friend who's brother played ball with him in high school, so there is obviously a tremendous bond there. Other than him, maybe Adrian Beltre would be worth a look and Chone Figgins since the O's are unsettled at the corner infield spots.

6. You taken Peter Angelos hostage and can now act like the Yankees and purchase three top tier free agents, whom do you grab?
I will stick with Holliday and add in John Lackey and Rich Harden. Lackey because he can be an ace and is a big game pitcher who gives you a lot of innings. Harden because I think he would be worth the upside risk despite his injury history.

7. Matt Wieters had a red hot September, what do you think are realistic expectations in 2010 for the uber prospect?
I would guess Wieters is capable of a .290-.300 average with 20+ hr's and around 80 rbi's. Some of those 3"s will depend on how much the Orioles try to get his bat in the lineup as a DH on the days he is not catching. I think Wieters can be a more patient hitter, make pitchers work more and draws more walks. Along with that he should be able to reduce his K's. Wieters also improved a great deal in his defensive ability and his game calling. That is often overlooked, but his impact in those areas should improve as well.

8. Which prospect who has yet to put on the Orioles uniform are most looking forward to seeing?
One guy I have see in the minors is Jake Arrieta. I like his stuff and make-up as a starter. I think he will get a look in Baltimore at some point in 2010. Also, I am itching to see Josh Bell (acquired in the George Sherrill trade with LA) play. I have spoken with Josh on one occasion and he is a really likeable guy who I am pulling for. Plus I want to see his power on display.

9. I'm giving you the option to cut players without any salary repercussions, which Orioles do you part way with?
The Orioles have cleared all of the bad contracts heading into this off-season. Melvin Mora is gone and so are Jamie Walker and Danys Baez. Other than that the O's do not have a lot of money tied up in bad long term deals. This is a big off-season for the club. They have money to spend, but can they attract the right free agents without overpaying too much?

10. Final Question, you've got a crystal ball, the Baltimore Orioles will make the playofs in ________.
2012? I hope. Next year the Orioles need to step up to around the .500 mark and not fade so badly at the end of the year. 2011 could be a year where they are involved in a pennant race, but it is too much to expect them to make up so much ground on Boston, New York and Tampa in just 2 years. So I think 2012 is the most realistic shot. A lot of things need to go right with player development and talent acquisition, but that is the year the Orioles need to build for.

MLB Trade Rumors: On the Beat with John Perrotto Version

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:00:37 -0500

by Eric Risberg - AP about 1 month ago: Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Chad Billingsley takes a break on the mound after the San Francisco Giants scored their third run in the fourth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. San Francisco won the game 7-2; Billingsley was the losing pitcher. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) View full size photo » Every Sunday, John Perrotto from Baseball ...

The Breakfast That Saved A-Rod

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:30:00 -0500

This breakfast took place just two days prior to A-Rod first at-bat of the season, a home run off Jeremy Guthrie in Baltimore. It seems like Yankees fans owe the people at this meeting a big thank you for their efforts. I would have to say their methods worked.From Ian O'Conner:“I sat down with two very close friends and they told me a lot of things,” Rodriguez said Tuesday, “things that I had to change. They showed me tough love, and I thought from that breakfast on I’ve stayed with the ...

Losing One Hundred Games and Fandom

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:37:00 -0500

When it comes to September, the Orioles for the past several seasons, to be blunt – have sucked. Right now, it seems to be par for the course with this team. On Wednesday night, the Orioles lost their seventh straight game as the Blue Jays defeated them, 7-3. Well, long story short – Jeremy Guthrie gave up five runs in seven innings, after he could not hold a brief lead. The Jays took the lead, 5-2, in the fourth inning and never looked back thanks to a three-run fourth inning. Michael Aubr...

Boston Invades Camden Yards -- Again; They Take The First Contest of Three Game Set

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 08:27:00 -0500

For the second night in a row, the Baltimore Orioles offense was listless, and in the end, the more-than-likely-playoff bound Boston Red Sox, upended them, 3-1. Young Clay Buchholz pitched his way to victory number three on the season as he went six innings and gave up a run on five hits. Jonathan Papelbon earned the save, his 37th. Meanwhile, Jeremy Guthrie, who has struggled throughout the season, took his 15th loss of the year, which leads all of baseball. Guthrie was not terrible, but aga...

O’s Take Series From Rangers

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 20:49:43 -0500

Jeremy Guthrie’s six hit shutout lifted the Orioles over the Texas Rangers in a three game set this weekend in Baltimore. The O’s ace improved to now 10-13 with 4.96 ERA after getting the win. It’s the first time his ERA dipped below five since May 30th and he has now allowed one run [...]

Orioles Take Two of Three From Rangers

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 01:45:00 -0500

The Orioles bats came through on Sunday, and Jeremy Guthrie delivered on the mound throwing seven shutout innings to defeat the Rangers, 7-0. With the 'B' team on the field in yesterday's game, Chad Moeller came through with a 2-for-4 say with two RBIs, and Ty Wigginton had three hits. Recent callup Jeff Fiorentino had two RBIs as well as Brian Roberts. Guthrie earned his 10th win on the year and struck out six while allowing six hits. Matt Albers and Kam Mickolio helped complete ...

The Real Guthrie Returns

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 20:57:46 -0500

Jeremy Guthrie made his fourth good start in a row today, shutting out the Rangers for seven innings and throwing 110 pitches. Guthrie pitched poorly through August 16th, giving up a ton of home runs, 40 per 200 innings. Since then, however, he’s turned a good walk rate into a great walk rate, [...]

Guthrie Solid; O's Finally Win Out in Minnesota to Close Out Road Trip...

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:35:00 -0500

For the first time in a quite a while, Jeremy Guthrie looked like a stopper as he pitched seven solid innings, only giving up a run, as he the Orioles finished off the Twins, 5-1. Overall, it was a solid effort by the team, and instead of finding themselves in an another close game that would end up in a loss, they put their opponents away early and for good. Guthrie – the defacto ace and lone veteran in the starting rotation of the Baltimore Orioles – has struggled mightily this year with hi...

The Weekend that Was; Progress

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:12:00 -0500

Despite Baltimore’s record, all things considered, they have been playing well the last week or so. Their solid play continued in Chicago as they took two out of three from the White Sox this weekend, as Jeremy Guthrie found his groove on Saturday, and Jason Berken showed signs of learning on the big league level as he won his third game of the season.With Aubrey Huff being traded last week, one wondered who’d step in and take up the slack; however, Brian Roberts has taken torch as he’s been ...

The Losing

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:02:00 -0500

After a tough loss on Wednesday night, and a thrashing on Thursday at the hands of the Detroit Tigers, the Orioles are roughly 2/3 or more through the season and with the state of the team, what's really left to pay attention to?As it is, the Orioles are heading to their 12th losing season, at least, we get to see the young pitching come up and see who can stick at the major league level, and who doesn't have it. However, with all the optimism, the veteran on the squad -- Jeremy Guthr...

O's Win in Seattle, Guthrie & Do We Really Want to Trade Luke Scott?

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:57:00 -0500

The Orioles finally snapped out of their funk and got a well deserved 12-4 win over the Seattle Mariners last night in the Emerald City. Well, Tuesday's contest seemed to be a tale of two game, as Baltimore jumped on starter and former teammate Erik Bedard for two runs in the first before he figured himself out and shut them down. However, once Bedard left, the Orioles offense took over and when all was said and done, Luke Scott ended the day with seven RBI -- a career high that included...

Jeremy Guthrie, Has Insane Female Fan, Video

Mon, 18 May 2009 09:29:18 -0500

Jeremy Guthrie, Has Insane Female Fan, Video. This Orioles starting pitcher, 3-3 record with a 5.41 ERA, is going through his pregame warm ups, and you will not believe what a woman in the stands is doing. 1st, she is wearing her authentic New Era game attire. 2nd, she is copying all of his stretches. [...]

1-0!

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 08:21:14 -0500

Well, that went about as well as could have been expected. “Ace” rebounds from a horrendous spring with a strong opening day start? Check. Jeremy Guthrie went 6 innings, allowing 3 ER on 7 hits, striking out 3. Fan favorite and All-Star 2nd baseman, who had us worried about his health, shows that he is just fine? Check. Brian Roberts [...]

The 2009 Orioles: Baseball’s Most Improved Team?

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 10:51:40 -0500

By Gary The 2009 Baltimore Orioles are heading into a season with a revamped rotation, a deeper offensive team, and with the number one prospect in Major League Baseball. The revamped rotation is significant as the Orioles will likely have four new starters with just Jeremy Guthrie ...