O's Road Report
On the road with the Orioles and working the games in Kansas City for MASN, some observations from the clubhouse, dugout and field.
I don't expect Juan Samuel to stay with the team after he meets with Andy MacPhail on Monday in Baltimore. Buck Showalter will take over as manager Tuesday, ending Samuel's 2-month interim tenure. Samuel insists that if he does leave, it won't be because he's angry. He just feels that his presence might be a distraction and could possibly make the new manager uncomfortable (although Showalter has reached out to assure Samuel that he's welcomed to stay with the team for at least the remainder of the year). Barring any change of heart by Samuel, I say 75% chance he's wearing the O's uniform for the last time today.
Samuel's departure has led to a palpable feeling of apprehension in the O's clubhouse- especially noticeable today, his final day. I got some players on camera to share their feelings about Samuel's time as their manager (Guthrie and Izturis). There were some others who declined to go on camera- noting that they need to tread carefully in this transition, fearing perhaps that glowing words about Samuel might make Showalter doubt their allegiance to him. Suffice it to say- there's nervousness among the players, coaches and even among several front office personnel who are aware of Showalter's exacting demands and detailed leadership. I would suggest that's a good thing for an organization in dire need of a shake-up on many levels. No one likes to be uncomfortable, but what's more uncomfortable than the state the team is in now?
Josh Bell is now in place for a full-scale "audition" as the Orioles third baseman, one year after he was acquired from the Dodgers in the George Sherrill trade. The trade of Miguel Tejada opens the spot for Bell who will get regular play at third and everyday at-bats for first time in his young career. Personally, I won't have much patience for a "project" at a key corner/power position. It would be great if Bell seized the job and lived up to any and all expectations and hype- fields well and hits well. I can't imagine Buck Showalter is going to be one to put up with a player learning on the job ast the mnager steps back into the A.L. East in need of proven production.
Mike Gonzalez seems to have re-discovered his velocity. He needs to find consistent control to go with it and he can begin to prove he's worth what the O's signed him for in the pre-season. Gonzalez has told me repeatedly that he believes he's on the fast-track back and is wholly confident his doubters will be silenced. He also knows that the only way to prove anything is to do so on the field. Gonzalez tells me that the rest of the season is like a personal playoff push- every game very meaningful. Good attitude, but it's not going to replace true "pennant fever" in Baltimore.
