Orioles Q&A with Dan Connolly

Sun reporter answers readers' questions about the team

Baltimoresun.com staff

March 1, 2008

Bill, Owings Mills: Even though Andy MacPhail wouldn't say, what do you think is the hierarchy of the Orioles front office with the hiring of Matt Klentak? Is there any indication how responsibilities will break down between MacPhail, Klentak, Mike Flanagan and other Orioles executives?

Dan Connolly: We all know by now that club president MacPhail keeps things close to the vest. He's also not a big fan of titles. So his own lieutenants may not know exactly how everything is going to shake out. But by hiring Klentak, a 27-year-old Ivy Leaguer, as director of baseball operations, it's easy to assume he's being groomed to be the Orioles' general manager one day. Klentak's experience with a big-league club, however, is limited to an internship with the Colorado Rockies. So he has a lot to learn and likely will be involved in most facets of running a club by piggybacking off some of the existing staff.

MacPhail has said that pro scouting director John Stockstill will be reassigned to spearhead the new international program and MacPhail's nephew, Lee, will pick up the pro scouting slack. Scott Proefrock will continue to be the man in charge of business and contractual matters such as arbitration, etc. And David Stockstill (minor league development) and Joe Jordan (amateur scouting) will maintain similar roles. Flanagan, however, appears to be an odd man out without any specific area of supervision. It would be surprising if the former decision-maker stays in the front office after this season, the final year of his contract. Both Stockstills, Jordan and Proefrock are also in the final year of their deals, so potentially there could be another shakeup in the offseason.

Frank, Schoharie, NY: Of all the players the Orioles have acquired this offseason, who has the best chance to be an impact player in the future besides Adam Jones?

Dan Connolly: The Orioles have high hopes for all of the guys they received in the Erik Bedard and Miguel Tejada trades. But realistically, the only prospect besides Jones who is considered a potential impact player is right-handed pitcher Chris Tillman, who turns 20 in April. Baseball America listed Tillman as the Seattle Mariners' third-best prospect heading into 2008. He is 6 feet 5, with an above average curveball and a low-90s fastball. His ceiling is as high as anyone's in the Orioles' system.

John, N.J.: The Orioles looked like they had a plan this offseason. What are the major next steps to be taken before the 2009 season?

Dan Connolly: The final trade bait of any significance remaining for the Orioles is second baseman Brian Roberts. And I do believe he will be dealt before 2009, and maybe before the 2008 season starts. He is a free agent at the end of 2009 and the two-time All-Star has plenty of value.

Besides that move, the Orioles' 2009 plan includes building the farm system, and part of that should be through the new international emphasis that the organization is stressing. 2008 should be a year the team finds out which youngsters can play. And if any of the veterans not named Roberts have good first halves, they should be dealt for more prospects. There is a long way to go but the process seems headed in the right direction.

Rich, Bahamas: Which one of the following players has the most trade value and why -- Aubrey Huff, Kevin Millar, Jay Gibbons or Jay Payton?

Dan Connolly: Truthfully, none have much trade value right now. Because of their hefty salaries and the industry-wide perception that their production won't match the money they are owed, both Gibbons and Huff have zero trade value at this time. Since power is always at a premium, however, if either has a big first half the trade market could open some.

Theoretically, Millar should have the most value of the quartet because he is a solid bat, an underrated defender and a good clubhouse guy. Plus, he has postseason experience and only one year left on his current deal (Huff and Gibbons have two). But history shows that Millar is at his best (and happiest) when he is playing every day and it's unlikely that a contender would want him to play full-time. If happy and healthy a contender likely would take him at the break, but he probably won't yield much in return.

That leaves Payton, who also is a guy who wants to play every day but is better suited as a role player. He's coming off a rough 2007, but he can play all three outfield positions and, like Millar, is signed only through this season. He could be dealt if he has a good spring, but, again, the return would be minimal.

The best hope, for the players and for the Orioles, is that these guys play well through July, opening up trade possibilities.

Dan, Baltimore: Can you provide any insight as to why a guy like former Rangers reliever Akinori Otsuka is still a free agent? Why wouldn't the Orioles bring in this guy as a solid veteran presence at the end of the game?

Dan Connolly: According to the pitcher's blog, Otsuka had elbow surgery in January. At least that is the report I read. My Japanese is a little rusty, so I'll have to trust it. He apparently didn't specify what type of surgery, but if it was Tommy John (elbow ligament replacement surgery) he'll be shelved for a year. The Orioles may not be deep in many areas, but they are already swimming in injured relievers. So they'll pass on Otsuka.