Orioles have some issues, By: Joe Gross

Possible personnel moves, steroid accusations loom large

October 3, 2006

Despite some reasons for optimism about the future, the Orioles have a lot of work to do in order to become a contender in the tough American League East. But before they can act on that, the organization must deal with the accusations of ex-Oriole pitcher Jason Grimsley, who has accused Miguel Tejada, Brian Roberts and Jay Gibbons of using steroids.

Those allegations, first reported in the Los Angeles Times, came out of the blue on Sunday before the Orioles took the field to complete their season in Boston.

In terms of on-the-field issues, one of the first problems that must be addressed is the years-long search for a power-hitting first baseman or outfielder. It's something that has been talked about every offseason in recent years. However, aside from the mistake of taking on Albert Belle, the personnel people have failed to deliver.

Baltimore management should realize by now that someone who hits 20 or 25 home runs a season is not, in this era, considered a power hitter. The Orioles have picked up Miguel Tejada, Ramon Hernandez, Kevin Millar, Jeff Conine and Corey Patterson, but none of them is the true power hitter who could add the punch to the lineup.

This offseason, they must find someone - whether through free agency or the trade route - who can play either in the outfield or at first base and hit 40 home runs next season. They have to stop talking about that need and get the job done.

Save for the rotating first basemen, the infield is solid with Melvin Mora at third, Miguel Tejada at shortstop and Brian Roberts at second and possibly Chris Gomez as the backup for any of those positions. At this time, only rookie right fielder Nick Markakis figures to be a sure bet for the outfield, where at least one big bat has to be in the lineup.

But there is some hope. Youngsters such as Markakis, who is in the running for American League Rookie of the Year, Brandon Fahey and Jeff Fiorentino all developed more rapidly than the club anticipated. All three are likely to have roster spots in 2007.

The Orioles are also in dire need of relief pitching, an area that cost the team too many games in 2006. Aside from Chris Ray standing tall in the closer's role, there was little reason for confidence when a call to the bullpen was made.

One of the worst (and seemingly one of the most foolish) moves the Orioles made this season was keeping Russ Ortiz and Bruce Chen for as long was they did. Neither posted a win, going a combined 0-10. For one reason or another, manager Sam Perlozzo continued to call on them as relievers after both failed as starters. Save for a flash now and then, they were no better in relief.

One of the best things that happened in 2006 was that pitching coach Leo Mazzone, who came to Baltimore after 15 years in Atlanta, got in a full season of learning about and working with the team's young starting pitchers - Erik Bedard, Daniel Cabrera, Adam Loewen and Hayden Penn.

"I'm hoping to turn the page and do everything we possibly can to get into the thick of things. This is a competitive thing, it's a pride thing, too. You've got to hate, hate, hate to lose," Mazzone said.

The coach credited with sparking the run of success by so many Braves' pitchers is already looking forward to beginning some offseason work with the Orioles pitchers. He believes that his pitchers have already made significant strides in improving their changeups or adding off-speed breaking balls to their repertoires.

"I'm just trying to be calm and patient and look at the positives we have to build around. That gives me hope, energy and excitement," Mazzone said during the final days of the season. "After having a year under my belt and understanding what the environment is like, I have a much clearer picture going into the early throwing program and spring training. I really look forward to it … there are some good things I feel positive about that we can improve a great deal."

Perlozzo, who closed out his first full season at the helm, has also expressed optimism about the future. He and vice presidents Mike Flanagan and Jim Duquette have already begun their planning sessions so that everyone is on the same page when the offseason dealing begins.

"We need to be smart this offseason, on the trade front and on the free agent market … we'll try to pursue any guy that we think fits a need. We're trying to get ahead of the curve," Duquette said.

"I think we've learned a lot this year and, speaking for the organization, I feel we've made the picture pretty clear on where we need to go and what we need to do," Perlozzo said. "When you get down to brass tacks, I think that's one of the things we've been able to really localize. What we need should come into focus pretty much right now."

Now that the team's needs are, as Perlozzo says, "in focus," management must make some smart decisions on current personnel and pull off some deals to get the type of players the Orioles need to avoid a full decade of losing seasons.

The steroid issue is sure to plague the accused players and the entire organization throughout the offseason, or until there is an end to the ongoing investigation that has centered on Grimsley. Even then, the rumors and innuendo are sure to linger. That, of course, is the last thing the Orioles need after Rafael Palmeiro's embarrassing suspension for steroid use in 2005.

It's necessary for management to separate the problems facing the team. If they can come up with the right players to solve the problems on the field, maybe the off-the-field problems can be overlooked.