================
NEW YORK YANKEES
================
The Yankees prepared to enter the postseason with a regular-season finale that left them feeling as good as they could about several potential question marks heading into this week's Division Series.
* Alex Rodriguez capped an impressive season with two home runs and seven RBI in one inning -- and gave himself a potential springboard to finally step up in the postseason.
* A.J. Burnett offered another solid start to finish strong after struggling before the last few weeks.
* Joba Chamberlain showed a glimpse of his old potential out of the bullpen and could be a useful asset as a reliever in the first round.
It added up to a 10-2 win over Tampa Bay to finish with 103 wins, the Yankees' most since 2002.
Manager Joe Girardi assessed his toughest decision entering the playoffs as "evaluating who we take out of the bullpen." With Dave Robertson proving healthy, Girardi will likely add him and then have to pick from Chamberlain, lefty Damaso Marte and righties Chad Gaudin and Brian Bruney for two spots.
He'll also have to decide whether to sacrifice Jorge Posada's bat to possibly make Burnett more comfortable with Jose Molina behind the plate and whether to start Burnett or Andy Pettitte in Game 2.
For the most part, thanks to the Yankees' strong finish, they are good questions for Girardi to have to answer.
NOTES, QUOTES:
Chamberlain acknowledged pitching out of the bullpen allowed him to "let it fly" and Girardi said the pitcher looked different during a successful seven-pitch inning out of the bullpen. The relief stint -- Chamberlain's first of the season -- could help him earn a postseason spot. "It looked a little different; it did," Girardi said of Chamberlain, who went 9-6 with a 4.78 ERA as a starter this season but has a 1.50 career mark as a reliever.
3B Alex Rodriguez joked with IF/OF Eric Hinske during the sixth inning Sunday that if he could hit a grand slam for his second homer of the inning he could extend his streak of seasons with at least 30 homers and 100 RBI to 12. Then he did just that, setting off a celebration among his awed teammates. "I said I may have one shot," Rodriguez said. "... Obviously joking around, and when I hit it I was thinking of that." Rodriguez finished with seven RBI in the inning for a major-league record. He also tied Mark McGwire for eighth place on the all-time home-run list with 583 -- a somewhat dubious connection given Rodriguez's admitted use of performance-enhancing drugs. But Rodriguez had a lot to feel good about in 2009 after missing the first 28 games due to hip surgery.
BY THE NUMBERS: 11 -- Number of starts LHP CC Sabathia had between his seventh and eighth losses of the season. He lost on July 28 and didn't lose again until Oct. 2.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Just kind of getting (warmed) up got me back to where I used to be back there, so it was good. Just getting that feel of just letting it go, which is good." -- RHP Joba Chamberlain on what it felt like to pitch out of the bullpen again in the regular-season finale.
ROSTER REPORT:
1B Mark Teixeira lost his final chance to claim the home run title for himself when Tampa Bay intentionally walked him to load the bases in the sixth inning Sunday. He shares the title with the Rays' Carlos Pena. Pena's season ended after he was hit by a pitch from Yankees LHP CC Sabathia in early September. Teixeira deflected a question as to whether the Rays might have wanted to deny him a shot to break away from their injured teammate. "I don't know," said Teixeira, who finished with 39 homers and a league-leading 122 RBI. "Those things don't matter to me. I don't think about those things."
C Jose Molina was paired with RHP A.J. Burnett in Sunday's regular-season finale, but Girardi did not reveal whether that would be the case in the postseason. Girardi, who increased speculation about the possibility by starting the light-hitting backup at DH on Friday to get him more at-bats, has not ruled out the chance. "It's something we'll look at," Girardi said of keeping Molina with Burnett, who has had problems clicking with starting C Jorge Posada. Burnett earned the win Sunday after allowing one earned run in five innings.
Burnett, who claimed his 100th career victory with five solid innings in the regular-season finale, admitted he was eager to discover whether Girardi would name him the No. 2 or 3 starter. "I'm anxious," said Burnett, who finished with three wins in his last four decisions. "I wish they'd tell us when we're pitching, but you know we've gotta wait." Burnett did say he felt better about the postseason thanks to some strong starts down the stretch. "I got in a good mental state," he said. "You don't want to go in with any negative thoughts, obviously."
INF/OF Jerry Hairston Jr. told reporters his sprained left wrist felt fine after starting back-to-back games in left field and at shortstop over the weekend. Girardi said he wanted to give Hairston plenty of at-bats to test the wrist because the utility man is in competition for a postseason roster spot.
EX-INDIAN FACTOR: Coach Tony Pena; LHP CC Sabathia.
MEDICAL WATCH:
RHP Chien-Ming Wang (right shoulder strain and bursitis) went on the 15-day DL July 5, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on July 31. He had season-ending surgery July 29.
OF Xavier Nady (sore right elbow) went on the 15-day DL retroactive to April 15, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on July 21. He began a rehab assignment with Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on June 24, but he experienced a setback June 25. He had season-ending Tommy John surgery July 8.
==============
BOSTON RED SOX
==============
The Red Sox have decided -- as many had speculated -- that Jon Lester will start Game 1 of their AL Division Series against the Los Angeles Angels with the idea that the strong-as-a-horse 25-year-old could potentially return for Game 4 at Fenway Park, if necessary.
That scenario would allow Josh Beckett to pitch Game 2 and return for a Game 5, if needed, on regular rest in Anaheim. Manager Terry Francona also announced that Clay Buchholz will start Game 3 at Fenway Park.
"What it really came down to is the fact that when you look at how our rotation was set up, and Beckett knows we feel this way, because for us to get where we want to go we're going to have to lean on both (Beckett and Lester)," said Francona. "... We think Lester is situated where can come back on short rest (for Game 4) and that would have Beckett, if there's a Game 5, on regular rest. There are a lot of options open to us that we're interested in exploring, but that's where we're at."
The key for the Sox is that the potential exists against the Angels for both Lester and Beckett to pitch twice if need be, and that's proved to be a pretty unbeatable combo in the postseason.
QUOTE TO NOTE:
RHP Tim Wakefield was ruled out of the ALDS by Francona on Sunday morning as he continues to struggle with back problems and weakness in his right leg. The 43-year-old will continue to work out and the Sox haven't ruled him out for qualifying for rosters if the team journeys deeper into the postseason, but RHP Paul Byrd is likely to take Wakefield's spot as a long relief option on the final roster. "You can go one day where you feel good about your pitching, and then something happens," said Francona. "Wake has that ability, whether it's two weeks from now, to throw a pretty good game. And he's on board with that, which we appreciate a lot."
3B Mike Lowell was shelved with an injury to his right thumb on Sunday, but Francona said that sitting his third baseman was more precautionary than anything else. Lowell said that he hurt the thumb in his final at-bat in Friday night's game, and sat out both Saturday and Sunday in anticipation of being ready for the playoffs. Francona told the media Sunday that Lowell's thumb was "nothing remotely alarming" but there was no reason to take any chances so close to the playoffs.
BY THE NUMBERS: 95 -- The number of wins that the Red Sox finished with for the second straight year. The Sox are the only MLB franchise that can stake claim to winning at least 95 games in each of the last three seasons.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's something the organization is proud of. Our ultimate goal hasn't been reached yet, and it's still in front of us. But to do it six times (out of seven years) is something we're proud of and is part of our business plan." -- GM Theo Epstein, talking about his team qualifying for the playoffs for the third straight season and the sixth time in his seven-year run.
ROSTER REPORT:
C Dusty Brown had quite a September and culminated the late season cup of coffee with his first big league home run in Saturday's win against the Indians. It was Brown's first major league hit, and also gave the Sox their 24th player to hit a home run for the team. Brown's homer allowed the Sox to break their franchise-record of 23 different players that hit home runs during the 1996 season. "(To) get in there, when I really wasn't expecting to play, and get my first hit, and have it be a home run -- and the curtain call? It's just been the best week," Brown told the Providence Journal.
OF Jacoby Ellsbury went 1-for-3 in Sunday's win and finished with a batting average above .300 (.301) for the first time while also swiping his 70th stolen base. With those season-ending hallmarks in place, Ellsbury became the 12th big leaguer and the eighth American League player to steal 70 or more bases while finishing with a batting average over .300 in a single season. Kenny Lofton was the last player to do it when he hit .317 with 75 stolen bases for the Cleveland Indians in 1996.
C Jason Varitek was removed from Sunday's game in the middle of the eighth inning with RHP Daniel Bard pitching on the mound, and the move was ostensibly made by Francona to give the Fenway crowd a chance to salute the team captain. The 36-year-old backstop might have a reduced role behind the plate during the upcoming playoffs, and it's unsure what kind of role he'll have next season after hitting .209 in 109 games with Boston this season. Varitek, the longest-tenured position player on the Sox, appreciated the gesture by Francona and admitted he was even a tad bit embarrassed by the attention.
EX-INDIANS FACTOR: MGR Terry Francona; pitching coach John Farrell; RHP Paul Byrd; RHP Fernando Cabrera; C Victor Martinez.
MEDICAL WATCH:
SS Alex Gonzalez (sore right wrist) left the Oct. 2 game after being hit by a pitch. He didn't play Oct. 3 but was back in the lineup for the season finale Oct. 4.
RF J.D. Drew (sore left shoulder) did not play Sept. 30-Oct. 3 but was back in the lineup for the season finale Oct. 4.
RHP Tim Wakefield (lower back pain) missed his Sept. 1 start. He returned to start Sept. 5 but missed his next two starts. He received a pain-killing injection Sept. 10, and he started Sept. 21. He missed his next turn in the rotation, but he started Sept. 30. Wakefield was limping Oct. 1, and it was announced that he won't be on the Division Series roster.
RHP Josh Beckett (mild back spasms) was scratched from his Sept. 28 start but is expected to be OK for the playoffs.
3B Mike Lowell (sore right hip) didn't play Sept. 28-30. He returned to action Oct. 1, then didn't play Oct. 3-4 as a precaution.
LHP Jon Lester (bruised right quadriceps) left the Sept. 25 game. X-rays were negative, and he started Oct. 2.
INF Nick Green (leg fatigue, caused by bulging disk in neck) has not played since Sept. 16.
1B Aaron Bates (sprained left ankle) was recalled from the minors and placed on the 60-day DL Sept. 29.
RHP Junichi Tazawa (strained left groin) went on the 60-day DL Sept. 21.
RHP Miguel Gonzalez (sore right elbow) went on the 15-day retroactive to March 27, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 14.
==============
TAMPA BAY RAYS
==============
The Rays had the second-best season in franchise history with an 84-78 record but were still disappointed since they weren't going back to the playoffs.
"You don't want to go home," center fielder B.J. Upton said. "Not now."
The Rays had some things to feel good about. After making improvement to the offense a priority, they set team records for runs, home runs, walks and stolen bases, even though their primary addition, designated hitter Pat Burrell, had a disappointing season.
Carlos Pena became the first Ray to earn at least a share of the AL home run title. He hit 39 tying Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira. Jason Bartlett hit a team-record .320.
The Rays don't feel the need to make many changes to their lineup, which is expected to be bolstered by the promotions of outfielder Matt Joyce and infielder Sean Rodriguez, though a priority will be improving at catcher. While they are satisfied with a young rotation led by James Shields, they are seeking a couple of veteran relievers.
The Rays said they learned several lessons in failing to qualify for the postseason a year after their stunning run to the World Series. First is the importance of being ready at the beginning of the season and getting off to a good start. Second is the importance of doing the little things right.
Though they finished 19 games behind the Yankees and 11 behind the wild-card Red Sox, manager Joe Maddon said the difference between missing and making the playoffs is actually miniscule.
"When you look at the difference between 84 and, say, 94-95, wins, you could just go back over the season and easily find 10-11 games you know you should have won," Maddon said. "That's the part that really wears on you a little bit."
NOTES, QUOTES
Pena missed the final 25 games with two broken fingers. He's the first Ray to share or win a home run title. He clinched it when his teammates held the Yankees’ Mark Teixeira homerless for the three-game season-ending series. "This is so cool," Pena said. Pena, according to Elias Sports Bureau, is the first player in the live ball era (since 1920) to win a title without playing the final 25 games.
SS Jason Bartlett got the final day of the season off, allowing him to finish with a .320 average, which breaks Carl Crawford's 2007 team season record of .315. Bartlett stole his 30th base Saturday, joining Crawford and Upton to make the Rays the first team since the 2001 Mariners to have three players with at least 30 steals.
INF/OF Ben Zobrist -- who hit .297 with 27 homers and 91 RBI, was voted team MVP by the Tampa Bay chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America, with LF Carl Crawford second and 3B Evan Longoria third. "It's a huge honor," said Zobrist, who emerged from a utility role to become an All-Star.
RHP Jeff Niemann was voted the team's Outstanding Rookie by the local BBWAA, and then got the endorsement of manager Joe Maddon as the top candidate for the AL Rookie of the Year award. He had a 13-6 record and 3.94 ERA.
Pena was named the winner, for the second time in three seasons, of the Paul C. Smith Champion Award, given to the player who best exemplifies the spirit of true professionalism on and off the field.
Executive VP Andrew Friedman and manager Joe Maddon was scheduled to meet with members of the coaching staff in the first few days after the season; all the coaches contracts are up and there is a good possibility of some changes.
BY THE NUMBERS: .247 -- The differential in winning percentage between the Rays' home (52-29, .642) and road (32-49, .395) records. That's the largest in the majors.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "There's no doubt about it, it sucks. We know where we want to be -- we want to be in the playoffs, we want to be in the World Series. We don't want to miss that party. It was a lot of fun for us." -- 1B Carlos Pena, on the disappointment of what otherwise he called an "awesome" season.
ROSTER REPORT:
The Rays don't think they have to make a lot of changes to improve their team; they'll focus on catcher and the bullpen. With the expected additions of OF Matt Joyce and INF Sean Rodriguez from Class AAA, the Rays think they could be set in the field, and they are happy with their rotation. Adding a couple relievers will be important.
BIGGEST NEEDS: The Rays are going to perform at least a partial makeover of the bullpen, looking to add at least two proven relievers to help a unit that struggled down the stretch. Their biggest priority will be to improve the quality and depth of their catching situation, given the decline of Dioner Navarro. They will at least talk to teams about moving disappointing DH Pat Burrell, as much for salary relief as the chance to use more productive hitters they already have.
FREE AGENTS: RHP Chad Bradford, RHP Jason Isringhausen, OF Gabe Kapler, RHP Troy Percival, RHP Russ Springer. The Rays also hold options on LF Carl Crawford ($10 million), 2B Akinori Iwamura ($4.85 million), LHP Brian Shouse ($2 million) and C Gregg Zaun ($2 million). Of the five true free agents, Kapler is the only one who might be back, and that might not be likely. Of the option players, only Crawford is sure to be back. Zaun could be as the Rays try to improve at catcher; Iwamura (unless he takes less in a separate deal) and Shouse, are unlikely to return.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: RHP Grant Balfour, SS Jason Bartlett, RHP Jeff Bennett, LHP Randy Choate, RHP Lance Cormier, RHP Matt Garza (as a Super Two), OF Gabe Gross, LHP J.P. Howell, C Dioner Navarro, 1B Chris Richard, CF B.J. Upton. The list is likely to shrink as the Rays release a few of the fringe players, such as Richard and Bennett. They are going to consider non-tendering Gross and even Navarrro, who has been starters. Bartlett, in his second year of arbitration, and first-timers Upton and Garza are in line for significant raises.
IN LIMBO: DH Pat Burrell's season was such a disappointment the Rays might look to trade him, even if they have to eat some of the money -- his salary jumps to $9 million next season. Cs Dioner Navarro, Gregg Zaun and Shawn Riggans could all be on the bubble as the Rays seek to improve quality and depth at that position. RHP Andy Sonnanstine's season-long struggles have reduced him to a candidate for a long relief job in the bullpen.
MEDICAL WATCH:
1B Carlos Pena (broken left index and middle fingers) is said to be recovering well and should be 100 percent by the end of November.
RHP Chad Bradford (mild discomfort in right elbow) didn't pitch the final week of the season. He will consider retirement after an injury-shortened and frustrating season.
RHP Jason Isringhausen (Tommy John elbow surgery in June 2009) expects to be ready by midseason 2010; he will be a free agent then.
RHP Troy Percival (back, shoulder) is expected to retire.
=================
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
=================
It was somewhat fitting that the Blue Jays ended the season on a three-game losing streak after being swept in Baltimore to finish in fourth place with a 75-87 record.
It was the perfect way to cap a wild final weekend that had the Jays involved in a mini-revolt against manager Cito Gaston. The players met with interim president Paul Beeston to air their grievances, and Beeston fired general manager J.P. Ricciardi, which ended his eight-year reign.
The Jays never made it to the postseason under Ricciardi, and as this dreary season dragged on he became the lightning rod for fan disenchantment.
The Jays started the year in sensational fashion. After their victory May 18 over the White Sox, they were 27-14 and in first place in the AL East by 3 1/2 games. Then came a disastrous nine-game losing streak on a nine-game road trip. The Jays never recovered and had losing records in May through August.
Along the way the Jays traded the reliable Scott Rolen to the Reds for the inconsistent Edwin Encarnacion; released outright closer B.J. Ryan, who will be paid $10 million in 2010; dragged Roy Halladay's name through the trade-rumor swamp for three weeks before the July 31 trade deadline; and, finally, put RF Alex Rios and his multi-year, multi-million dollar contract on waivers and had him claimed by the White Sox. The season was a zoo.
On a positive note, the Jays received incredible performances from unlikely performers in second baseman Aaron Hill, left fielder Adam Lind and shortstop Marco Scutaro. Hill, who missed all but the first two months of 2008 because of post-concussion syndrome, rebounded with a vengeance as he hit .288 with 36 homers and 108 RBI, and Lind produced 35 homers and 114 RBI. Scutaro set career highs in home runs (12), runs (100) and RBI (60).
The problem for the Jays was that during the middle of the season they received next to nothing from the middle of their lineup as Rios, center fielder Vernon Wells and first baseman Lyle Overbay provided little in the way of power, production and consistency.
On the pitching front, injuries turned the rotation into a kiddie corps, allowing the likes of Brett Cecil, Ricky Romero and Marc Rzepczynski to gain invaluable major league experience. They need injured starters Jesse Litsch and Shaun Marcum to return healthy and be productive.
Looking ahead to 2010, the Jays need to install a new president and deal decisively with the player-manager problems.
Player-wise, a lot depends on whether they trade Halladay. If Scutaro doesn't re-sign, they'll need to fill a hole at shortstop. There are decisions to make behind the plate and at the DH position. The likelihood is they will be getting younger.
NOTES, QUOTES
2B Aaron Hill was voted the AL Comeback Player of the Year, it was announced Oct. 5. The award was voted on by the 30 beat writers for mlb.com.
The Jays scored 798 runs and allowed 771 despite being 12 games under .500 at 75-87. That makes them the second team in MLB history to finish a season at least 10 games below .500 and have a positive run differential. The 1918 White Sox are the only other team to have accomplished the dubious feat.
Interim president Paul Beeston and new general manager Alex Anthopoulos each gave manager Cito Gaston a lukewarm endorsement following a so-called "rebellion" by the players, who listed the complaints they have against Gaston to Beeston prior to Saturday's game. "He's under contract and I expect him to be back," Beeston said. Added Anthopoulos: "Cito's our manager, like Paul said. He's done a good job. It's unfortunate, the things that have leaked out to the media, but those are things that we take care of in-house."
After meeting with Rogers Media CEO Tony Viner, Beeston and new Anthopoulos on Saturday, a more conciliatory mood prevailed between the players and Gaston. The players' complaints centered on Gaston's old-school style, lack of communication and negativism.
"They raised the issues, they were listened to," Beeston said. "(The problems) have not been addressed at the present time. It's the end of the season. We're all going our separate ways. We certainly had a meeting. I had my ears open and I kept my mouth shut. I gave them some comments and that's all I want to say about that."
RHP Roy Halladay believes fired GM J.P. Ricciardi received a lot of misinformed criticism over what was perceived as his mishandling of the trade speculation regarding Halladay before the July 31 trade deadline. "J.P. always looked out for my best interests," Halladay said. "Knowing the situation the team was in and my situation, he was looking out for my best interests. He took a lot of flak for that, and he shouldn't have. I'll always appreciate that he did stand up and defend me. I always thought that he was in my corner."
RHP Scott Richmond was the losing pitcher in Saturday's 6-5 defeat. Richmond, 30, had won his previous two starts but lasted just four innings against Baltimore and fell to 8-11 in his 27th start. "There's a lot of positives I can take out of the year and a few things I need to work on," Richmond said. "This is the big leagues and you've got to make sure you're always developing and growing."
BY THE NUMBERS: 2 -- Canadians to have been named general manager of the Jays in franchise history: Gord Ash and Alex Anthopoulos.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Obviously, there's a lot that the organization has to decide and what direction they're going to go. That will play a large part in what I hope to do the rest of my career." -- RHP Roy Halladay following the tumultuous final weekend that included a player revolt against manager Cito Gaston and the firing of general manager J.P. Ricciardi.
ROSTER REPORT:
The Jays enter the offseason with plenty of change in the wind. Interim president Paul Beeston promises that his replacement will be named soon now that general manager J.P. Ricciardi's eight-year run ended on the final weekend with his dismissal. Assistant general manager Alex Anthopoulos, 32, has taken over. As far as the roster goes, the biggest decision will revolve around star RHP Roy Halladay and whether to keep him for the 2010 season or trade him in the offseason for much needed talent.
BIGGEST NEEDS: The Jays have to figure out what they will do with RHP Roy Halladay -- keep him or trade him. They also might have to scramble to fill the holes at shortstop and catcher if free agents Marco Scutaro and Rod Barajas sign elsewhere. They do not have ready replacements in their system for either player.
FREE AGENTS: SS Marco Scutaro, C Rod Barajas, SS John McDonald, DH/INF Kevin Millar. The Jays will try and re-sign Scutaro. They will probably not pursue Barajas because they think that J.P. Arencibia may be ready to be promoted next season following the All-Star break. They might be willing to go with backup Raul Chavez and a cheaper alternative than Barajas.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: RHP Jason Frasor, RHP Jeremy Accardo, C Raul Chavez, RHP Casey Janssen, RHP Brandon League, LHP Brian Tallet. Jason Frasor is the most valuable asset on the list and could be the Jays' closer in 2010, having taken on the role after LHP B.J. Ryan was released. They have interest in bringing back the others with perhaps lukewarm interest in Jeremy Accardo, a reliever who spent most of the season at Triple-A Las Vegas. They have zero interest in Millar.
IN LIMBO: With the exception of 2B Aaron Hill and LF/DH Adam Lind, the rest of the players on the Jays' roster can all be had for the right package, including RHP Roy Halladay. Although they'd like more production out of 1B Lyle Overbay, they can live with his $7 million salary for 2010, the final year of his contract.
MEDICAL WATCH:
RHP Jesse Litsch (Tommy John elbow surgery in June 2009) will be at spring training but is not expected to be ready by the start of the 2010 season.
RHP Shaun Marcum (Tommy John elbow surgery in September 2008) will be at spring training and could be ready at the beginning of the 2010 season.
RHP Dustin McGowan (right shoulder surgery in July 2008, right knee surgery in July 2009) will be at spring training but is not expected to be ready by the start of the 2010 season.
RHP Rob Ray (right shoulder strain) will be at spring training and could be ready by the start of the 2010 season.
=================
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
=================
Numbers can tell part of the story, but they alone cannot quantify the Orioles' season. The team's record certainly doesn't. The Orioles' 98 losses tied for the third-worst record in club history – and made for a 12th straight losing season.
On the flip side, eight players age 25 or younger made their debuts. While it seems as if the rebuilding process isn't as close to complete as originally thought, there is reason for hope in Baltimore.
The Orioles will lose just one regular from their lineup -- under-productive veteran third baseman Melvin Mora. They'll clear more than $40 million from their opening-day payroll, from the contracts of free agents-to-be Mora and Danys Baez and already dealing away Aubrey Huff.
The club will look to add a veteran starting pitcher, one or more established relievers, and, most important, a power-hitting corner infielder.
While question marks dot the depth chart, the Orioles have a chunk of their roster in place for years to come.
The outfield is set with Nolan Reimold joining Adam Jones and Nick Markakis, plus Felix Pie emerging as a strong reserve. Second baseman and leadoff man Brian Roberts is under contract for the prime of his career. The rotation has a bright future behind rookies Brian Matusz, Chris Tillman and Brad Bergesen -- plus the impending promotions of two or three more quality prospects in 2010.
Team president Andy MacPhail committed to continuity when he decided to keep manager Dave Trembley despite another disappointing September. In announcing Trembley's continuance as the skipper, MacPhail demanded more wins. Now the onus lies on MacPhail to arm Trembley with the troops necessary to make an immediate climb up the standings -- all the while, keeping the focus on continuing the rebuilding process.
QUOTE TO NOTE:
3B Melvin Mora went 0-for-2 with a pop-out and a ground-out in what might be his final appearance as an Oriole. It was planned that Mora would leave the game at that point, in which he came out of the dugout for a standing ovation. The veteran, in his 10th season with the club, saw just two pitches batting fifth in the lineup, swinging at both. The club holds an option in Mora's contract for 2010 and is unlikely to bring him back -- even at a discounted price.
RHP Jeremy Guthrie avoided his 18th loss, but continued to flash the issues that led to a 10-17 record. Guthrie, who reached his goal of 200 innings, allowed three home runs among nine hits and four runs in the season finale. He went 7 2/3 innings and was competitive enough to give the team a chance against Jays rookie Ricky Romero. But Guthrie's challenging 2009 does not guarantee him a third consecutive opening day start in 2010.
RF Nick Markakis got his 100th RBI on a two-run homer in his first at bat. The 18th home run cemented a second century-RBI season in three years. Markakis finished the year with a .293 average, four points below his career average.
2B Brian Roberts went 2-for-3 with his 30th stolen base. On Saturday, Roberts was named the Most Valuable Oriole by local media covering the team on a daily basis. Roberts, who set an MLB record for doubles by a switch-hitter, is among the top ten in the American League in runs (108), extra-base hits (73) and stolen bases (30). Markakis, who was the only other Oriole to receive a first-place vote, came in second in the balloting, while Adam Jones finished third.
RHP Matt Albers finished a tough season on a high note. Albers earned the win, improving to 3-6, with a shutout inning including two strikeouts. Trembley has asked that Albers come back in 2010 in better physical condition if he plans on sticking with the club.
BY THE NUMBERS: 4 -- Consecutive wins to end the season by the Orioles, a streak that came on the heels of a 13-game losing skid.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'm not at all discouraged. I actually look at this season like a positive because what we have now is what we're going to have. We're missing a few pieces and I think everybody knows that, but it's good to get our young guys up here and let them get their feet wet. It's all about learning, and I think for the most part, all of our young guys have taken a step forward." -- RF Nick Markakis on the direction of the Orioles franchise after a 12th consecutive losing season.
ROSTER REPORT:
The Orioles have three significant needs: a veteran starter, a cleanup-hitting corner infielder -- preferably one who bats right-handed -- and another bullpen overhaul. Simple, right? Club president Andy MacPhail would like to cure the bullpen with two swift moves but notes a strong relief corps is the most "mercurial" aspect of roster construction. The team has talented prospects on the farm he could package together in trade talks.
BIGGEST NEEDS: The club's greatest need is in its lineup, because there is an abundance of young pitching talent ready to fill the rotation and the relief corps. MacPhail is likely to test the trade market rather than the free agent pool to find a bat, while an addition to the rotation or bullpen is more likely to come via free agency. Considering the prospects in the pipeline, the Orioles would be best suited to find a right-handed slugging third baseman to hit behind RF Nick Markakis.
FREE AGENTS: 3B Melvin Mora, RHP Danys Baez, LHP Mark Hendrickson. Mora has a club-held option in his contract for 2010, but the Orioles are unlikely to bring the veteran back. Hendrickson is the most likely to return, provided he's willing to accept a full-time bullpen role. He thrived in various relief roles but also showed some upside as a starter in late September.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: RHP Matt Albers, SS Robert Andino, RHP Jeremy Guthrie, RHP Chris Ray. All the Orioles' eligible players should return, but Albers and Ray will have to impress in spring training to stick with the club. Guthrie, who got a pay cut in arbitration last winter, could be hit with another after losing 17 games in 2009.
IN LIMBO: RHPs Brian Bass, Dennis Sarfate, Albers and Ray could be in jeopardy of being dropped from the 40-man roster. All four struggled in the Orioles' bullpen in extended opportunities this season, and the club will most certainly rid some of its underachieving relievers before spring training. The Orioles have a handful of upper-level prospects who could be dealt as well.
MEDICAL WATCH:
LF Nolan Reimold (left Achilles tendon surgery in September 2009) should be ready for spring training.
RHP Bob McCrory (labrum surgery on right shoulder in October 2009) is unlikely to be ready for spring training.
RHP Brad Bergesen (bruised left shin) was unable to run some six weeks after taking a line drive off his leg, but he should be fully healthy for spring training.
CF Adam Jones (sprained left ankle) will be healthy for spring training.
RHP Koji Uehara (sore right elbow) should be fully healthy for spring training.
|