The end of July and beginning of August have signaled a new era for the Baltimore Orioles. These changes, at least on the surface, appear to be for the better.
Thursday afternoon, news leaked that the Birds hired former Yankees, Diamondbacks and Rangers manager Buck Showalter. Showalter is a proven winner, rejuvenating the Yankees franchise, building Arizona from the ground up and giving a new attitude to the Rangers. Showalter is 882-833 as a Major League manager.
Later Thursday, Andy MacPhail shipped away veteran third baseman Miguel Tejada to the San Diego Padres. Tejada was traded for Wynn Pelzer, a 24-year-old Double-A pitcher. Tejada has now been traded for the second time in three years by the Orioles. To fill the roster spot, the O’s recalled Josh Bell from Triple-A Norfolk to play third base every day.
The other minor move that was made occurred on Saturday. Baltimore traded lefty specialist Will Ohman to the Florida Marlins for a 25-year-old starter. That starter, Rick VandenHurk, will probably get a September call up and will be a candidate for the rotation in 2011. For now, Troy Patton has been recalled from Norfolk to be the long man for the remainder of 2010. Patton is a 24-year-old career starter that seems willing to do whatever it takes to stay in the Major Leagues at this point in his career.
Although building the O’s has been a slow process, the organization has shown a willingness to let the young guys play this season as evidenced by calling up Bell for the rest of the season and now the call up of Patton. Obviously 2010 is a lost season, but it could also be a glimpse in to the future of the franchise.
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