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Orioles Q&A with Jeff Zrebiec

Sun reporter answers readers' questions about the team

Baltimoresun.com staff

12:20 AM EDT, April 8, 2008

Martin, Baltimore: What has the mood in the locker room been like during the first week of the season? Have you noticed any changes from last year?

Jeff Zrebiec: It's been pretty upbeat, evidenced by the little concert that broke out in the clubhouse to the tune of "Orioles Magic" after Sunday's comeback victory. I think these guys genuinely like each other and pull for each other and have taken on a little of that "us against the world" mentality in the face of all these pundits that have written or stated that they have little chance to even be competitive. They're having a lot of fun. It's also a good mix that they have, with plenty of veterans to counsel the younger players and make sure they are doing things right. And in turn, the energy that the younger guys have has inspired some of the veterans a little bit. But to be honest, I don't think the mood is that much different than it was at this time last year. For the most part, last year's Orioles got along and had a pretty decent clubhouse. Obviously, the general mood soured with all that happened to the team -- manager fired, getting no-hit, losing 30-3 to name a few -- but I wouldn't say the clubhouse chemistry was terrible or anything like that.

George, Ocean City: What are the chances that this young team could be much better then the Las Vegas predictions of 64 to 65 wins. I don't expect the playoffs, but is a .500 season a possibility?

Jeff Zrebiec: I guess it is possible, George, but even with the great start, I don't think it is likely. In fact, I'd be very surprised. The American League East is so tough, perhaps even tougher than usual this year with Toronto and Tampa Bay's improvement. An awful lot would have to continue to go right for the Orioles. Now, it wouldn't surprise me at all if this team finished with about the same or a better record than last year's 69-win team. And one thing I do expect is that this team will play hard until the final day of the season. I don't think you'll see that big August and September swoon that you've witnessed for several consecutive seasons. They have enough young guys and other players with something to prove that I expect them to stay motivated throughout.

John, Dunkirk: What does the phrase "pitched a simulated game" mean exactly?

Jeff Zrebiec: Basically, it's when the managers and coaches duplicate game conditions as much as possible, usually for a pitcher, who is either trying to work his way back from an injury or just get some work in. The Orioles staged several simulated games on their backfields this spring in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. A certain pitcher would be on the mound and several hitters would rotate in and out of the batter's box to face him. One of the coaches would call the balls and strikes from behind the screen. The pitcher would throw a certain number of pitches and then go sit down for a little while, allowing another pitcher to go in there. Then that pitcher that started will go back in after the second pitcher is done. It's just basically a way to get some work in, face actual hitters and to simulate game conditions as closely as possible.

Don: If this franchise is really in rebuilding mode, why are Aubrey Huff, Melvin Mora and Kevin Millar still taking up space in the lineup? Why not lose with young prospects? Sooner or later, these kids have to face major league competition. More people would go to games if they knew that they were going to see the future now.

Jeff Zrebiec: Who and where are these young prospects that you speak of, Don? I hear this question a lot and I don't understand it, primarily because Huff, Mora and Millar really aren't blocking anybody right now, aside from maybe Scott Moore. You could make a case that Moore should be in the lineup somewhere on almost an everyday basis, and I wouldn't argue. But the Orioles don't have any other young position prospects that are all that close to being major league ready. Nolan Reimold and Mike Costanzo are probably the two closest, but neither is there yet. And prospects like Matt Wieters, Billy Rowell and Brandon Snyder are still in Single-A. I have no problem with the club not rushing these guys to the majors. Why not wait until they appear to be major league ready or at least close to it, like Nick Markakis was when he made the team? Now if the Orioles had an influx of stud position prospects in the high levels of their system, I would agree with your point. But they don't, far from it. So I don't think the three veterans that you mentioned are really impeding anybody, except maybe Moore.

David, Virginia: Were the Orioles sending a message -- either to the fans or the team's other veterans -- when they released Jay Gibbons?

Jeff Zrebiec: I've heard that theory, but I don't necessarily look at it as they were sending a message with the release of Gibbons. It was a move that had to be made, and they simply had few other options. Gibbons was not going to get enough at-bats to warrant keeping him on the roster. He has not produced in the past as a bench player, and his lack of versatility would have hamstrung manager Dave Trembley, who already has quite a few similar parts on his roster. Now, I do think the move is the latest indication that club president Andy MacPhail has the autonomy to make the decisions that he feels are in the best interest of the club. Admittedly, I was very surprised that owner Peter Angelos, who has long admired Gibbons as a player and as a person, gave the green light on releasing him and eating the $11.9 million left on his contract. However, I don't think MacPhail's motive was anything but doing what he felt was best for the team.