Bleacher Report - Articles by Drew Bonifant

Baltimore Orioles Throw a Curve, Go With High Schooler

Drew Bonifant — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:49:59 -0400

The Baltimore Orioles' selection in the fifth overall slot of the 2009 MLB draft promised a fair degree of surprise.

On Tuesday, they delivered just that.

The O's selected pitcher Matthew Hobgood, out of California's Norco High School, with their first-round draft pick.

The approach was different for Andy MacPhail and Co. this year. In 2007, the O's selected Matt Wieters at No. 5, the consensus top pick if he weren't being represented by every GM's nightmare, Scott Boras.

In 2008 they picked Brian Matusz, widely considered the best pitcher available, at No. 4.

But this year, there wasn't an automatic way to go. The locks were Stephen Strasburg of San Diego State and Dustin Ackley of North Carolina. That's it.

By the time the Orioles were on the clock, they were picking from a deep pool of talent, but not a deep pool of don't-even-think-about-missing-out-on-these-guys talent. Ever the one to keep matters close to the chest, MacPhail dished out the "best player available" cliche.

So what did the Orioles do? They threw a curveball.

Baltimore's made no secret about its preference of more mature, polished college talent, and even less secret about its "grow arms, buy bats" approach.

But with college/independent league pitchers like Aaron Crow, Michael Minor, and Michael Leake still available, the Orioles switched their focus to the prep ranks, and nabbed Hobgood.

The pick was also a puzzling one (albeit not to some) because Hobgood wasn't considered the best high schooler available. Zachary Wheeler, taken immediately after at No. 6 by San Francisco, came with higher regard, as did Tyler Matzek.

Nevertheless, it's Hobgood, a hefty 6'4", 245-pound righty, who is joining Matusz, Chris Tillman, Jake Arrieta, Brad Bergesen, and David Hernandez in the corps hoping to take Camden Yards by storm in a matter of years.

The pick isn't necessarily a bad one. Hobgood brings the heat, touching 95 mph, and compliments it with a standout curveball. His mechanics are supposedly sound, and his best attribute might be a warrior's mentality on the mound. Hobgood challenges each and every hitter in the lineup.

But the pick is a questionable one. Hobgood could become a lethal pitcher for Baltimore soon, but regardless of whether or not he does, the Orioles broke the mold to get him.

The Thin Line Of Baltimore's Rebuilding Process

Drew Bonifant — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:54:45 -0400

Andy MacPhail has made no secret of his strategy to rebuild the Baltimore Orioles.

The future isn't now. This season, while not a throwaway year, is a work in progress. A .500 record has been considered a dream for this bunch, while a second straight last-place finish is far more reasonable.

The future, instead, is a couple of years from now. Three years, two years, perhaps next year, if all goes absolutely according to plan, and star pitching prospects mature quickly.

Even that much uncertainty can lead to problems. That "couple of years" it will take for the Orioles to return to prominence had better be narrowed down soon.

Currently, the synopsis of the O's is simple: The lineup's strong, the pitching stinks. With more pitching on the way through the minors, in the forms of Jake Arrieta, Chris Tillman, Brad Bergeson and Brian Matusz, the question marks will be filled, right?

Not so fast. Several of the key factors in the Orioles' offense are sure deals. Markakis and Roberts, at 25 and 31, respectively, are signed to long-term deals, while Adam Jones, 23, will almost surely be locked up this offseason. Matt Wieters and Felix Pie are other promising bats that should be around for years.

After that, the future is shaky. The team's current cleanup hitter, Aubrey Huff, is 32. The current starting third baseman and No. 6 hitter, Melvin Mora, is 37, injury-prone and possibly in his final season as a Baltimore Oriole.

Luke Scott and Cesar Izturis are also starters who may not be in MacPhail's vision of a playoff contender, which begs the question: How long is too long for the rebuilding process to take?

The perils of rushing prospects have been well-documented, both by the Orioles and other teams.

The desire to get hurlers such as Sidney Ponson, Adam Loewen, Daniel Cabrera and Radhames Liz to the majors as quick as possible was met with disastrous consequences, as each time, the pitchers struggled mightily, resulting in either blown confidence or poor mechanics and injury.

What about the perils of a conservative approach? What if the pitching help stays in the minors for too long, only to come up to a major league roster that now needs to retool its lineup?

That question forms a thin line between sitting too long and acting too fast. A few mistakes either way could spoil the work the front office has put in to this point.

No one told MacPhail his job would be easy, and though he's likely gotten the hardest step (acquiring a base of young talent) out of the way, he's faced with a new challenge. He has to manage it.

He has bright, young hitters. He has bright, young pitchers. Both pieces do little unless they're working together.

When MacPhail decides to finish that combination is a decision that could make or break the next few years.

"Julius Peppers-To-New England" Talks Suffer Setback...For Now

Drew Bonifant — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:46:52 -0400

On Monday, the NFL Network provided the spark to the Julius Peppers-to-New England rumors. On Tuesday, it provided the water onto what had become a fire.

A day after Vic Carucci reported a deal for Peppers was developing and almost imminent, his colleague, Adam Schefter, pulled the plug on the topic of major conversation in New England.

"This trade is not gonna happen," Schefter said on the WEEI radio station. "Julius Peppers will not be a New England Patriot next season."

Schefter is renowned around the league and in the media for being a reliable source with often breaking news about injuries and transactions, and his definitive words seem to be a severe blow to any hopes of landing the four-time Pro Bowler.

At the same time, Carucci, a senior columnist, has access to the best sources around, and it's unlikely his reporting would be based on anything but an insider's true word.

With two opposite statements, it's clear someone is telling the truth. The other is admirably misled.

Carucci's reasons for the deal made sense. Carolina doesn't want to pay first-round pick money, especially when they can get a player only two picks away from the opening round (No. 34 overall) for a bargain price. Not to mention, Peppers wants a defense like New England's, and New England wants a rusher like Peppers.

Schefter's doubt in the deal's possibility makes sense. Carolina doesn't want to give up a franchise player for a single second-round pick. Not to mention, New England wants Logan Mankins and Vince Wilfork back, and Jason Taylor as a free agent, more than Peppers.

This is nothing new to the way the Patriots operate. New England rarely broadcasts its retooling plans, and its business can be difficult to follow and interpret.

In February of 2007, the Boston Herald reported that the Patriots had serious interest in acquiring Randy Moss from the Raiders. Over the next two months, other media outlets contradicted the rumor, and killed off any speculation of the move occurring. The Herald even came full circle, reporting Moss was headed elsewhere.

On draft day, Moss became a Patriot.

Even last summer, the Patriots made John Lynch a late preseason cut, sparking belief in the media that the move was a salary tactic, and that Belichick intended on having Lynch back.

Lynch remained on the free agent wire, and retired. Months later, hampered by injury, the Patriots were again expected to make an emergency offer to the former All-Pro safety. Didn't happen.

Now, with the Patriots seeking ways to prepare their team for 2009, the media again is as mixed as a Brandy Sour. This time, the subject is Julius Peppers. Once again, the outcome may be a surprise.

Resilient Huskies Prove They Belong

Drew Bonifant — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 18:14:37 -0500

The Northeastern men's hockey team entered the 2009 Beanpot as the No. 3 team in the country, but also the No. 1 most-doubted team in the tournament.

Sure, the Huskies were the first-place team in Hockey East. But this was the Beanpot, and this was the TD Banknorth Garden. The time and place where the Terriers of Boston University and the Eagles of Boston College traditionally are the ones fighting for the prize, while Northeastern and fellow also-ran Harvard aim for third place.

The time and place where Northeastern, the No. 7 team in the country at one point last year, crashed and burned in 2008, losing both their first-round (to Harvard,) and consolation (to BU,) matchups.

This was the Beanpot. These were the Huskies. Oil and water. Alex Rodriguez and the playoffs. Northeastern and the first two Mondays in February.

Until now.

No, Northeastern didn't overcome the hex. For the 21st straight year, the Huskies went home without the Pot.

But they also went home having shown they belong.

Even with the gaudy No. 3 ranking attached to its name, everyone away from Huntington Ave. dismissed it while the buildup for the tournament grew in January.

The Huskies were never good, and even when they were, they choked. Either way, it never took them long to be out of the Beanpot mix.

But right from the start, Northeastern showed 2009 was different.

Playing in a primetime, 8 p.m. showdown with defending Beanpot, Hockey East and national champion Boston College, Ryan Ginand scored 3:24 into the game to give the Huskies a 1-0 lead.

The Eagles tied it up almost five minutes later, but as opposed to the previous years, the Huskies didn't buckle.

They scored again before the intermission, and before BC could gather itself in the second, put in three more goals in the second period, sending the seven upper-deck sections of Northeastern fans into a frenzy.

They would add another goal in the third period, nailing down their first opening-round victory over BC or BU in 20 years, and sealing a matchup with the powerhouse Terriers in the final.

Once there, top-ranked BU proved a far stiffer challenge. Their defense stifled offensive opportunities and their tenacious offense kept the puck in the Northeastern zone, generating chance after chance.

As if that wasn't enough, BU got a two-man advantage in the first and converted for the coveted first score. But again, Northeastern didn't back down.

The Huskies answered shortly before the first intermission, and after BU took another lead, responded again, only to see BU take a 3-2 lead just over a minute later.

Entering the third period down a goal to the No. 1 team in the country is a dire situation, but Northeastern didn't quit.

It forced a 5-on-3, and when that expired, got another power-play advantage with 7:06 remaining.

Even with the extra man, that's where the ride ended for Northeastern. BU got two short-handed goals in the same power play, putting the finishing touches on its 29th Beanpot title.

But still, in defeat, the Huskies proved their mettle to a college hockey audience waiting to see them flop.

They shocked and overwhelmed the defending national champions in the glaring spotlight, and for 53 minutes gave the No. 1 team in the country everything it could handle.

The Huskies are still No. 1 in Hockey East, and with a month remaining in the season, deserve to be mentioned as a Frozen Four possibility.

To get there, you have to show you can play the big games. For the first time in years, Northeastern did.

Matt Cassel's Franchise Tag Sets Up Interesting Offseason

Drew Bonifant — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:08:07 -0500

It was hinted at for months, but on Thursday, the Patriots made it official. Matt Cassel is the 2009 franchise player.

News broke that the Patriots were going to do this several weeks ago. Now that it has happened, it is a jolt to the New England offseason to-do list.

Even though the franchise tag would keep Cassel in New England and provide a hell of an insurance policy should Tom Brady have an iffy return from knee surgery, it is hardly cost-effective.

The tag amounts to $14.65 million against the cap. Along with Brady's $14.62 million hit, the two contracts amount to almost a quarter of the Patriots' salary cap space.

Cassel and Brady are slated to be on board for next year, but the odds are overwhelmingly in favor of one of them—most likely Cassel—being traded before the start of next year.

The Patriots aren't built to shell out nearly $30 million a year to two healthy quarterbacks. They are the ultimate team—being this top-heavy in one position violates the balanced structure they've been gunning for and accomplishing since Bill Belichick took over in 2000.

Furthermore, the Patriots have financial work to do elsewhere on the depth chart. Richard Seymour, Logan Mankins, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, and Vince Wilfork all have contracts set to expire in 2010. All five will likely want to stick around New England, but it will take money to keep them. Wilfork has been adamant about it.

The Patriots will do everything possible to extend most, if not all five, players. To do that, they'll need cap space. Giant contracts given to Cassel and Brady will make contract extensions tough.

However, the Patriots are also about preparation. The move addresses the gap between February (start of free agency) and late July. The Patriots could not afford to let Cassel walk away, wait four or five months, and find that Brady could not be back in time for the season opener.

They love Kevin O'Connell in Foxboro, but not that much. Not yet.

The Patriots have bought themselves flexibility. If Brady can start, Cassel gets a thank you and the boot. If not, Matt returns to the helm of an offense he mastered in remarkable speed last year.

The Patriots can bite the bullet of a healthy quarterback and unhealthy quarterback chewing up cap space for one year. They won't tolerate keeping an expensive trade chip.

It's not the Patriot way. For New England quarterbacks, that means a change will be coming.

Is Tom Brady's Knee His Only Problem?

Drew Bonifant — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:45:06 -0500

Okay. It was just a few minutes ago that I saw the much talked about photos of Tom Brady in Mexico with Gisele Bundchen.

The pictures that show him being fed by his girl, as well as the two of them snuggling in the ocean really stand out. There may be more, but thankfully, I haven't seen them.

A lot of emotions hit me when seeing those photos, but none of them are synonymous with "happy" or "excited." But with a deep breath, I stifled them down, and...

*sigh* Okay.

The problem is obvious. While Patriots fans hope, plead, and beg for Brady to be healthy by the beginning of next season, the only glimpses of him that we see have nothing to do with football. He barely even talks about football.

At points this offseason it seemed like there was a better chance of seeing a ring on his finger than a football in his hand. And these pictures did nothing to ease the anxiety.

Sure, Brady's love life is none of our business. If he wants to spend every waking moment of the next few months all over the world, in any town but Foxboro, Mass., that's his deal. After all, who can blame him?

Well, as fans, we make it our business to blame him. It's our responsibility to hope he hangs out less with a supermodel and more with guys like Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and Matt Light.

But here's the truth that Patriots fans both hate and fall back on: Tom Brady has earned the right to keep his private life his business.

This isn't Tony Romo. Brady didn't throw a few touchdown passes, win a few games, and decide he was the biggest star in the league. He doesn't have people wondering if he can handle the big game. And he has shown that whatever the distraction may be, he can deal with it.

He had an open relationship with Bridget Moynahan while leading New England to Super Bowl XXXIX. When his son was born during the Patriots' 2007 training camp, he responded by throwing for 50 touchdowns. The fact that the Patriots didn't win a fourth Super Bowl is by no means Tom Brady's fault.

And even as we Patriots fans shield our eyes from Tom Terrific looking like a soft loverboy in Mexico, we can't forget that only one day earlier, a story broke about how Brady is dropping back, throwing, running, and preparing for 2009.

Does that sound like a player whose interests are elsewhere?

The point is, Tom Brady is focused on football. He's focused on leading the New England Patriots. And after missing 2008 and hearing his days numbered by the media, he's likely more focused.

It's just that when he goes to Mexico he doesn't show it. He doesn't have to.

When I see the photos, I feel my frustration rise, and I get on with my life knowing that Tom Brady will be one of the NFL's best players next year as quarterback of the New England Patriots.

Just like he always has.

Tom Brady Breaks Silence on Toronto Radio

Drew Bonifant — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 20:33:20 -0500

Tom Brady lives!

Don't believe me? Just ask Toronto's Fan 590—the station that, on Wednesday, held the first interview with the quarterback since news of his knee infection got out to the public seemingly years and years ago.

As wild a ride as the 2008 season was for the Patriots, Brady's offseason and recovery from his season-ending injury was just as volatile.

First he was out, then he was fine, then he was infected, then he was fine again, then he was behind schedule, and then he was gone. News about Brady disappeared, and with the exception of a Thanksgiving appearance serving pumpkin pie and engagement rumors with Gisele Bundchen, No. 12 did too.

Until now.

Brady didn't say much (injuries happen, you recover for them, I'm looking forward to more rehab, etc.), but the fact that he was in the studio should come as a relief to Patriots fans.

Injuries are always a mystery with Belichick and Co., but it's another thing when the injured player (let alone one of Brady's importance) is neither seen nor heard from.

By appearing on the radio, and shedding some, any light on his injury, Brady at least reminds New Englanders that his mind is on football, and returning as the leader of the offense.

Matt Cassel did an admirable, Pro Bowl-worthy job stepping into Brady's NFL MVP shoes, but unless Brady physically can't make it onto the field come next fall, this is still his team.

It's nice to have him back—even for a few fleeting moments on the airwaves.

Nick Markakis Extension, the Latest In a Surprisingly Good Offseason

Drew Bonifant — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 20:05:40 -0500

December 23rd was a potentially crippling day for the Baltimore Orioles and their hopes for a successful offseason.

That was the dark day that Mark Teixeira agreed to terms with the New York Yankees. The first baseman, the biggest free agent ticket available, the major target for GM Andy MacPhail, and the subject of millions of wishes from a desperate fanbase in the Charm City, was gone.

Even worse, he was gone to a city, team, and rival where franchise players are a dime a dozen. Suddenly, Teixeira wasn't the hometown messiah.

He was just "one of them," a free agent headed, despite his words during his press conference, for the highest bid. Loyalty didn't come into play because there was no loyalty to consider.

So how did MacPhail respond to the setback? He recovered, and found another way to go.

He had already dealt lame duck catcher Ramon Hernandez to Cincinnati for a solid platoon option in Ryan Freel, and plugged a hole at shortstop without breaking the bank by signing Cesar Izturis. A defensive wizard, Izturis lands on Baseball Tonight more often than John Kruk.

But his work post-Teixeira was his best. MacPhail opened a pivotal international door by signing Japanese star Koji Uehara. He dealt struggling pitcher Garrett Olson to Chicago (finally) for highly-touted outfield prospect Felix Pie, a move with no costly downside but plenty of upside.

And most recently, he used those unused Teixeira dollars the best way he could, by locking up budding All-Star and franchise player Nick Markakis. Six years, $66 million. Most of the readers of this article will be Orioles fans, but for those who aren't, the 25-year-old rightfielder is worth every penny.

If nothing else, MacPhail has shown this offseason that he knows what he has to work with. Teixeira was the one, a hometown star in his prime. If he doesn't sign, which eventually was the case, no one does. Not Adam Dunn, not Manny Ramirez, not Ben Sheets, not anybody.

He understands his team is not one that can spend money for the sake of spending it. Furthermore, he knew the plethora of talented prospects in the system.

He knew Brian Matusz, Chris Tillman, and Jake Arrieta are coming. He knew Matt Wieters, Nolan Reimold, and Lou Montanez are coming.

The nine-figure additions weren't just unfeasible, they weren't necessary.

Now, the Orioles are a team with an improved international reputation. They are a team with a stockpile of talented bats and arms. And they're a team with a homegrown star to build around.

One major item remains, which MacPhail has acknowledged. The Brian Roberts situation has to be solved, and soon.

If Roberts wants to play here, keep him here. If he doesn't, get rid of him for someone who will. Get something for him while you can.

It's still a work in progress. But for a team without a .500 finish in 12 years, that's not a word the Orioles have been used to.

Koji Uehara Is Not THE Answer in Baltimore, But He Certainly Helps

Drew Bonifant — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:57:19 -0500

According to MLB.com, the Orioles have acquired Japanese star pitcher Koji Uehara, reportedly for two years.

This move helps the Birds, but before we start crediting him with 15 wins for 2009, a few things should be pointed out.

Uehara, at 34 years old, is hardly up-and-coming. Baltimore is in desperate need for rotation help (e.g. the cliched "warm bodies"), and Uehara has been seeing his innings decline over recent years (187.3 to 168.3 to 62 last year) as he has transitioned to becoming a reliever.

His style doesn't fit well with Camden Yards either. As ESPN's Keith Law blogged, Uehara is an upper-strike-zone pitcher, who will be challenged by Oriole Park's bandbox dimensions.

He did win the Sawamura Award, Nippon's equivalent to the Cy Young Award. The problem is, the years he won it (1999 and 2002) were back in the thick of the steroid era. In other words, not recent.

Despite those words of caution, however, there are plenty of reasons for Orioles fans to be happy with the most recent move by Andy MacPhail.

For one, Uehara brings a welcome transition from the wildness most notably and frustratingly displayed by Daniel Cabrera, Radhames Liz, and Garrett Olson. Uehara paints the corners, hits his spots, and should consistently occupy a rotation slot while using it to do something besides walk six men a game.

Uehara's signing also signals the beginning of a new method for acquiring talent. With teams like the Yankees, Mets, and (most years) Red Sox often having their way in the free-agency market, teams like the Orioles have to look elsewhere for less in-demand players.

That thinking just got them Koji Uehara. It may also bring them two-time Sawamura recipient Kenshin Kawakami, as Baltimore looks to patch the rotation while allowing their prospects to develop in the minors.

Good scouting can make up for a thin wallet. You just have to know where to look, and judging by the acquisition of the first Japanese player in organization history, Baltimore's starting to widen its targeted areas.

Uehara's not a gem, but considering the bare Orioles' pitching rotation, he's a start. And if he helps the Orioles get their feet into different international doors, it can be the start of something bigger.

For Orioles, Importance Of Adding Teixeira Goes Beyond The Field

Drew Bonifant — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:15:20 -0500

The legendary Washington FBI agent and Watergate whistle blower W. Mark Felt, also known as "Deep Throat", passed away yesterday. The way the Mark Teixeira negotiations are proceeding, you would think the suitors are honoring him.

According to John Henry, the Red Sox are "not going to be a factor" because somebody outbid them.

As for who made this offer? No one knows. Was an offer really made? No one knows. Is Tex wearing an Orioles, Nationals, Red Sox, Angels or Yankees hat at this very moment, looking at himself in the mirror and seeing how he looks? No one knows.

It might be time to pair Woodward and Bernstein back up. Because Teixeira and Boras aren't talking.

Meanwhile, Orioles fans are hoping, pleading, begging for that offer to have been made by GM Andy MacPhail, who recently expressed a willingness to raise the initial, reported seven-year, $140-150 million offer, if the circumstances were right.

If the mysterious offer came from Mr. MacPhail's office, great. If not, he might need to get Peter Angelos on the phone to discuss opening the wallet a little further. Because the Orioles don't want, seek, or hope for Mark Teixeira; they need him.

Remember watching The Empire Strikes Back for the first time? Remember hearing Yoda give his famous "Do, or do not, there is no try" line? Remember thinking it was cute and all, but then not knowing how it applies to real life?

Well, MacPhail needs Yoda in his office. He needs Yoda to be the first thing he sees when he wakes up, and the last thing he sees when he goes to bed.

Because the Orioles are trying to get Teixeira. But they're not doing it. And they need to do it.

For Baltimore, adding the sweet stroke of the Maryland native to the lineup does more than create runs, or bring fans to the ballpark. MacPhail joined the Orioles to turn them into a contender, and in order to contend in the American League East, you have to encounter the Red Sox and Yankees at some point.

Teixeira represents the Orioles' seriousness to get to that point. Baltimore has to show that it can go up against Boston, New York and Los Angeles, and win. It needs to step to the line, look the Red Sox and the Yankees right in the eye, not back down, and get the prize they both want.

The O's have a chance to do it. The reported, imminent deal that had Teixeira basically donning the Red Sox jersey hasn't happened—yet. The Red Sox have the white flag waving, but it's dangerous and foolish to count them out.

Some team has made the push. It had better be the Orioles.

If not, they'd better get to work. Time is running out.

Dirty Little Secret: Flyers Playing Better Without Daniel Briere

Drew Bonifant — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:08:32 -0500

The start to the Philadelphia Flyers' 2008-09 season has, like the cliched roller coaster, featured many ups and downs.

And during that start, a fact has grown from an interesting coincidence to a defining trend:

Many of those downs have come with Daniel Briere in the lineup.

Briere's season has been as inconsistent as his team's. He's battled stomach and groin injuries, which have limited him to nine games, and caused him to miss 18.

Those numbers aren't the problem. It's what's happened in those games. When Briere plays, the Flyers are 2-7, with two of those losses coming in overtime, and one in a shootout. When Briere sits, Philly is 12-3-3.

The trend continues with Briere's performance. He's scored in four games, three were losses. He's had points in seven games, six resulted in defeat.

That's not coincidence. Something's up.

This wasn't the situation the Flyers front office envisioned in the offseason preceding the 2007-08 campaign, when it made Briere the center of a "return to glory" project by giving him an eight-year, $52 million deal.

And for that first year, Philly rolled with Briere. The Flyers started hot as he started hot, and when he cooled off later in the season (a slump resulting in his -22 +/- rating), they struggled to reach the playoffs. Daniel regained his hot hand in the postseason and Philadelphia stunned the experts by reaching the Eastern Conference finals.

And yet now, as he's struggled to stay on the ice, and as Jeff Carter and Mike Richards have progressed into top-tier centers, the Flyers have shown they can win without Briere. When he's out, they play better, and the standings reflect it.

Briere's a great player, and his ability to lift his game in the clutch meshes well with a team like Philadelphia, which expects to be playing into the spring. But this season, against the highest expectations the Flyers have had since the lockout, that chemistry hasn't been there.

It changes so fast. A year ago, the Flyers' playoff hopes rested on No. 48. Now, they appear to lie anywhere but.

Speed Kills...or at Least the Orioles Hope So

Drew Bonifant — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:53:34 -0500

The Yankees? Go ahead, take your high-priced arms!

The Red Sox? Have all the heavy hitters you want!

Because as far as the Baltimore Orioles are concerned, burning up the basepaths is the real name of the game.

At least, that's what the 2008 offseason is telling us. The O's have made two headline-grabbing deals so far, acquiring utility outfielder Ryan Freel from Cincinnati for Ramon Hernandez and signing defense-first shortstop Cesar Izturis to a two-year deal.

There are many reasons to make those deals.

For one, getting rid of Hernandez sheds salary while making way for first-round draft pick and ultra-talented Matt Wieters at catcher. Signing Izturis provides consistent (if unspectacular) offense and sparkling defense at the extremely volatile shortstop position.

Both deals are relatively inexpensive with no risk of jeopardizing any free agency push the O's wish to make.

But a look at what the players will bring, assuming Brian Roberts sticks around, presents an interesting lineup for Baltimore in 2009.

Roberts has 90 steals in two seasons, and led the league in 2007. Freel has never had more than 505 at bats in a season, yet has three seasons with over 35 stolen bases. Izturis has two 20-steal seasons, including one last year. Adam Jones and Nick Markakis bring good speed to the bases. Even Melvin Mora, at 87 years of age, can run.

The offseason seems to be telling us that Andy MacPhail is content building his offense and defense around speed. Of course, players have to get on base in order to run. That wasn't the problem last year.

Being second-to-last in the American League in pitching may be a sign that you're a few arms short of contention.

MacPhail appears determined to fix that problem, and signs show he could make a run at Jon Garland and A.J. Burnett, possibly even Ben Sheets. It's no surprise. After all, the Orioles appear to be ready to do a lot of running anyway.