Most surprising development
Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.
Pitching coach Mark Connor, a longtime confidante of Buck Showalter, abruptly resigned June 13 and was replaced by Rick Adair. The suddenness of his decision created an air of mystery about his departure, but he said he felt that at age 62, he couldn't physically hold up to the rigors of a full season.
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Biggest disappointment
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Designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero arrived to much fanfare and expectation after piling up 29 home runs and 115 RBIs for the Texas Rangers in 2010, but he has not provided much of an encore. His homer and RBI totals in the first half are decidedly lower than second-half totals that raised red flags among prospective teams last winter. It has reached the point where Buck Showalter may soon have to make the difficult decision to move him out of the cleanup spot.
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Most likely to be traded by July 31
Baltimore Sun photo by Algerina Perna
Though a lot may depend on the progress of the J.J. Hardy contract negotiations, veteran first baseman Derrek Lee could be very attractive to a contending team that needs an experienced hitter or a Gold Glover to shore up the infield defense. He has pulled out of an early hitting slump, and his ability to scoop balls at first makes everybody else in the infield better. He's also a great presence in the clubhouse and dugout. What's not to like?
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Most enigmatic player
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Third baseman Mark Reynolds arrived in town as baseball's all-time single-season strikeout king -- three times over -- but his supposed inability to make contact has not been a major problem. He has cut down on his strikeouts and leads the Orioles in home runs and walks, but his 18 errors at third base make every play at the hot corner an adventure.
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Tough-luck chucker
Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. Lam
No. 1 starter Jeremy Guthrie has just three victories this year, thanks to typically lousy run support and inconsistent relief. He bears some responsibility for his inability to compile a win-loss record commensurate with his solid ERA (3.93), but his poor fortune over the past 2 1/2 seasons is hard to explain.
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