Orioles Q&A with Jeff Zrebiec

Jeff, Towson: I know somebody asked you this one earlier in the year, but at this point in the season, which Oriole do you think has the best chance of making the All-Star team?

Jeff Zrebiec: Thanks for the reminder, Jeff. My prediction -- and give me some credit, I didn't want to take the easy way out and predict second baseman Brian Roberts -- was third baseman Melvin Mora but that doesn't look like it's going to happen. At this point, I'd say closer George Sherrill has the best chance, simply because he's second in the American League in saves. But Sherrill needs to get far more save opportunities than he's been getting lately. I'd say starter Daniel Cabrera has the second best chance and I wouldn't rule out Roberts or right fielder Nick Markakis from the discussion either. Markakis won't get many votes from fans outside Baltimore, but he's very respected by his peers. He appears to be breaking out a little bit and you can't overlook that he's played Gold Glove defense all year.

Ian, Washington, DC: I haven't heard much about the Orioles' draft plans. Which player(s) are they eyeing with the fourth overall pick and are there specific needs that the Orioles are prioritizing in this draft?

Jeff Zrebiec: My colleague, Roch Kubatko, is writing a draft preview story in Wednesday's paper, so check that out. For the first couple of picks, the Orioles won't be drafting for need. They'll be taking the players that they project will get to the majors the fastest and have the most impact when they arrive. In the later rounds, I think you'll see them load up on arms and improve the infield depth in the organization. As for the fourth overall pick, a lot depends on what the three teams do ahead of them. I will say this, if Tim Beckham, a high school shortstop from Georgia, is available, I don't see the Orioles passing on him. But few think Beckham will still be on the board when the Orioles pick. I think the Orioles will decide between San Diego University left-handed pitcher Brian Matusz and University of South Carolina first baseman Justin Smoak.

Thom, La Plata: What's the latest on Adam Loewen's rehab and what's the best-case scenario for when he could return to the rotation? Would the Orioles consider using him out of the bullpen when he returns from the disabled list before adding him to the rotation?

Jeff Zrebiec: Loewen threw live batting practice on Monday and he's expected to pitch an inning in an extended spring training game on Thursday. After that, he'll go to either Double-A Bowie or Single-A Frederick for a rehab stint that will probably last a couple of weeks. Orioles manager Dave Trembley said that the Orioles are hopeful to have him back before the end of the month. It wouldn't surprise me if he's not immediately thrust into the rotation and he's eased in out of the bullpen for a while. I think they'll play it cautious and give him plenty of time to work up his arm strength. A lot of that will depend on how he looks and feels in his rehab outings.

Steve, Canyon, Texas: Although it would probably be tempting to just dismiss the trend with a wave of the hand and a "that's just baseball," the Orioles lack of success on Sundays is undeniable and completely out of step with the rest of their performance. Has the club noticed this too and if so, and are they taking any steps to address it? Do you have any theories on their lack of success on Sundays?

Jeff Zrebiec: They've noticed it -- it would be hard not to. They've lost eight straight Sunday games after beating the Seattle Mariners the first weekend of the season. But like you said, anybody I've asked about it basically just shrugs their shoulders and says something like, "That's just one of those things in baseball that there is no explanation for." They compare it to their dominance over the Kansas City Royals or the Minnesota Twins' dominance over them, and insist it's clearly coincidental.

The Orioles have mixed it up a little on Sundays. Sometimes they take batting practice, sometimes they don't. Sometimes, the players are allowed to report later, sometimes it's regular time. The Orioles also have a large player and coach contingent that goes to chapel Sunday mornings, but that doesn't appear to be helping. To be honest, Steve, I don't really have an explanation for it either. I'm at a loss. Sunday games are day games and the Orioles haven't been good in day games either. Perhaps, the hitters don't pick up the ball well in day games. It's a pretty weak explanation, but that's all I can come up with.

John, Bel Air: With Ramon Hernandez struggling to throw out runners this season, do you think the Orioles will give backup catcher Guillermo Quiroz more starts? Could you see the Orioles making a trade for another starting catcher and do you think the Hernandez situation will affect the progression of Matt Wieters?

Jeff Zrebiec: Sure, I think Quiroz's playing time may increase if Hernandez continues to struggle. Trembley said as much the other day, admitting he's given heavy consideration to sitting Hernandez more regularly to try to break him out of a slump that's now lasted over a year. The catching situation is interesting. Heading into this season, I figured the Orioles were in great shape there because when Hernandez's contract expires after the 2009 season -- he does have a club option for 2010 but that probably will be bought out -- Wieters would be ready to step in. But Wieters' performance in the minors and Hernandez's continued struggles really makes me think that the Orioles will try to dump Hernandez this offseason, sign a proven veteran catcher (or just keep Quiroz) and then give Wieters every chance to win the starting job in spring training. Moving Hernandez will be extremely difficult, considering his contract and his declining numbers.

Brian, York, Pa.: How do you think this season will play out for Steve Trachsel? Will he still be on the roster, on another team or out of baseball at the end of the season?

Jeff Zrebiec: Brian, to be honest, I'm a little surprised Trachsel is still on the roster. I figured he'd go when Radhames Liz was summoned to the majors. I still think his stay on the roster may be short. The Orioles will need another bench player when they have to go to National League parks for interleague play later this month, and Trachsel figures to be the odd man out unless he's absolutely lights out as a long man over the next couple of weeks. As for Trachsel's future, it wouldn't surprise me if he retired if the Orioles let him go. I had a great talk with Steve during spring training and he said he was totally prepared to retire before the Orioles made him an offer this offseason and basically told him that he had a rotation spot. He said that he was content with his career and wanted to do the Little League thing with his kids and all that, and he wouldn't have come back unless he knew he would start somewhere. He has no interest in being in the minors. That tells me if he gets released by the Orioles, we may have seen the last of him.

Related topic galleries: Major League Baseball, Spring Training, Melvin Mora, American League, National League, Nick Markakis, Kansas City Royals

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