O’s need to take advantage of roster flexibility
Andy MacPhail has given Manager Dave Trembley the opportunity to be very flexible when making out his lineup card throughout the 2010 season.
Throughout the past years, Trembley has worn down guys like Roberts, Mora, Markakis, and Jones. Much of that was out of necessity. Furthermore, when Trembley did rest starters, it seemed to always be on Sunday afternoons. Often, Trembley had 3 backups playing on Sunday’s.
There is no excuse for any of this to happen this year. Trembley has major leaguers stacked at every position as well as the bench. He has 2 guys in Pie and Wigginton that would have started on most prior Orioles teams who will be on the bench. He has numerous players that can play multiple positions.
Based on Trembley’s history and recent remarks about Reimold, I am pessimistic that Trembley will utilize his roster to its highest potential. For example, will Trembley play Tejada at SS at any point, moving Atkins to 3B, Scott to 1B, Reimold to DH, and Pie to LF? Will Trembley give Jones and Markakis 7-12 days off to keep them fresh? Will he give Roberts a breather, moving Izturis or Wigginton to 2nd for 7-12 games? Roberts has declined in the 2nd half during some years, obviously due to fatigue. That can easily be prevented this year, and the O’s will not suffer on the field when giving guys a rest.
Trembley needs to be flexible, and again, needs to play Felix Pie consistently. If I was Dave Trembley, this is how I would utilize my main offensive roster in the 2010 season.
C: Wieters 120 games, Moeller 42 games
1B: Scott 40 games, Atkins 100 games, Wigginton 22 games
2B: Roberts 150 games, Izturis 6 games, Wigginton 6 games
SS: Izturis 120 games, Tejada 42 games
3B: Tejada 110 games, Atkins 30 games, Wigginton 22 games
RF: Markakis 154 games, Reimold 8 games
CF: Jones 150 games, Pie 12 games
LF: Pie 88 games, Reimold 74 games
DH: Scott 100 games, Reimold 50 games, Wieters 12 games
Total starts:
Matt Wieters: 132
Luke Scott: 140
Brian Roberts: 150
Cesar Izturis: 126
Miguel Tejada: 152
Nick Markakis: 154
Adam Jones: 150
Felix Pie: 100
Nolan Reimold: 132
Ty Wigginton: 50
Thoughts?
Unfortunately MacPhail has already said that Tejada won’t see any time at SS this year, so we’re going to be forced to keep Andino on the bench to play once a week. I have a feeling we’re going to see more of the same from Trembley. Pie will be used as a 4th outfielder, as much as I wish he would start in left while Reimold DH’s.
[...] Just this week, I wrote that the O’s need to make the most of their roster flexibility. http://charmcitysportstalk.wordpress.com/2010/01/25/os-need-to-take-advantage-of-roster-flexibility/ [...]