Corey Hart is OVERACHIEVING ORIOLES

Thursday 19th June 2008

I’m pretty confident about my opinions as a rule, and that’s particularly true when it comes to baseball. But that sure doesn’t mean that I’m right all the time! One of my strongest 2008 predictions was that the Baltimore Orioles would spend the season residing at the bottom of the AL East. That wasn’t exactly going out on a limb, either. About the only people not picking the O’s as cellar dwellers were those missing the boat on how improved the Tampa Bay Rays were going to be.

Here we are, nearing the midway point of the season, and the Orioles are not in last place, but they’re also sporting a winning record, and that’s a huge surprise to me. Baltimore is now 35-34 after another thrilling win on Tuesday night.

If you take a gander at their roster, it’s really hard to comprehend what’s taking place with this team. They’re simply not very good on paper. Their best starting pitcher is Jeremy Guthrie. He’s certainly an adequate big leaguer, but definitely not an ace. The closer, George Sherrill, was tabbed long ago as a situational lefty and that’s about it. After slamming the door on the Astros Tuesday evening, Sherrill is now 23/25 in save opportunities and barring a sudden collapse over the next couple weeks, he’ll be wearing an All-Star uniform shortly. The O’s have only one .300 hitter on the roster, utility IF Alex Cintron, and he’s only gotten a handful of AB’s off the bench. The Orioles lack a big HR threat, and although they do have several players with decent power, there’s no one who strikes fear into opposition pitchers.

So how are the O’s getting it done? Two stats stand out. After accruing a pathetic 13-31 mark in one-run contests last season, the Orioles are a robust 16-10 this year. More importantly, this team simply doesn’t quit. Te Tuesday victory over the Astros marked the 16th time this season that Baltimore has overcome a two-run deficit to win. That’s almost half their overall victories, which is a pretty staggering percentage.

For those who don’t think managers make that much of a difference, think again. Dave Trembley has not only been pushing all the right buttons, but he’s also instilled a sense of pride in this team. The Orioles are fundamentally sound, and they’re a very enthusiastic bunch. I watch as many games as I’m able to, and it’s easy to see how much fun this team is having at the ballpark almost every day.

The Orioles could well end up at the bottom of the AL East when the dust settles. They simply don’t have as much talent as any of the other teams in that sector. But if eventually do sink back to the cellar, it won’t be for a lack of effort. They’re one of the best stories of the ‘08 season to date.

SWEET SWINGING SWEENEY

Ryan Sweeney enjoyed another big game for Oakland Tuesday night, and is stamping himself as a viable fantasy performer as he continues to play well. Sweeney was doing well prior to a stint on the disabled list. He’s picked right where he left off since returning, and then some. Sweeney is now hitting .307, and he’s stealing bases and scoring a load of runs thanks to a move to the #2 hole in the A’s lineup.

This isn’t a fluke. Sweeney was the top rated prospect in the White Sox organization heading into 2007. He didn’t live up to billing in a very limited trial last season, and GM Kenny Williams went big name hunting this winter, including Sweeney in a three for one swap with the A’s that landed the Chisox Nick Swisher. It’s too early to close the file on this trade, but early returns indicate that Oakland’s Billy Beane got the best out of the latest riverboat gamble concocted by Williams.

Sweeney is not likely to be a big power guy at any point, but I envision him as 15-HR type eventually. Add in a consistent .280-.300 BA and 20-25 SB and you’ve got yourself a rock solid everyday OF who won’t hurt anyone’s fantasy roster, either. If he’s available and you’re in need of a fifth OF, go get him.

TEAHEN TUMBLING

Heading into the 2007 season, Mark Teahen was star in the making for the Royals. Teahen was lights out down the 2006 stretch run, and loomed as a considerable five-tool threat who could function at a variety of positions. In just under 400 ‘06 AB, Teahen hot .290, blasted 18 long balls and swiped 10 bags. In that this was just his second year with substantial big league opportunities, Teahen became a somewhat coveted mid-round fantasy grab in the 2007 drafts.

He wasn’t awful by any stretch last season for the Royals, but Teahen was nevertheless somewhat of a disappointment. The .285 BA was acceptable, as were the 13 SB. But only seven HR and 60 RBI was way below expectations, and was unacceptable for a corner OF.

Coming into this season, Teahen was no longer a hot commodity, but he was still looked upon as a decent later round grab who wouldn’t hurt. Nearly midway through this season, it now appears even those hopes for Teahen are being dashed. He’s hitting just .252 with six home runs and a paltry two stolen bases.

I think it’s worth noting that Teahen was basically given away by Billy Beane and the A’s back in 2004. Beane just doesn’t send prospects packing, and his leash with potential risers is about as long as you’ll ever see. Yet he was willing to send Teahen off to the Royals in ‘04 and all he was getting in return in a three-team deal that also involved the Astros was reliever Octavio Dotel. What once appeared to be a rare Beane blunder is now looking more and more like another case where he didn’t see what others were seeing, and it turns out his vision was on the money.

My advice to Teahen’s fantasy owners at this point would be to bite the bullet an cut him loose. There are just too many useful fifth or sixth OF types in even deep league free agent pools to retain a guy who just isn’t giving you anything positive right now.

PARRA-LYZING

Manny Parra had another really nice outing for the Brewers Tuesday night. That’s five sharp starts in the last seven tries for Parra. There are still occasional control issues for the hard-throwing southpaw, but they’re becoming more the exception than the norm. Parra has major upside. He’s got a prolific offense behind him, especially when the Brewers are at home. Even when he gets knocked around, Parra will at least likely garner lots of K’s for his fantasy owners, as he’s averaging just short of one punchout per inning.

The BB’s will continue to be a hindrance to his WHIP, and he’ll have a blowup here and there. But he’s going to give you more positives than negatives on balance, and that’s more than enough to make him worthy of back of the rotation fantasy placement in most leagues. He’s even more valuable for those in keeper leagues, as Parra owns legit top of the rotation stuff.

Off this last start, Parra is unlikely to remain unowned in any quality league. If he’s still on the heap in yours, make the move.

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Source: OnlineCasinoNews