End of November Report

Hello out there paranoid Baltimore sports fans. I see that the BIC has gone into hibernation a bit as the winter has set in. I suspect it is for a couple reasons, one - nothing really new on the Orioles front to talk about and two - the Ravens are having a tough year.

Still thought, the Ravens keep losing "must-win" games and are still fairly in the playoff hunt as of tonight's game with the Steelers at home. Make that the Steelers at home minus one Ben Roethlisberger who will be on the sidelines trying to stop the ringing in his head. The Steelers will be sending out THIRD-string quarterback Dennis Dixon. College football fans will remember Dennis Dixon as the fast as lightning quarterback of the Oregon Ducks. Dixon was set to have a pretty strong career until a horrendous knee injury sidelined him for most of his senior year and sent his draft number plunging.

I always liked Dennis Dixon he has talent so the Ravens should not be going into this game feeling cocky or comfortable. They have shown an inability to find the endzone recently and it has cost them. They have been unable to perform in key spots all year and it has cost them. They have had absolutely horrendous play from their cornerbacks and it has cost them.

Still, with all of that included, this team could easily have eight maybe nine wins. They have only really looked poor in one game and have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in virtually every other loss.

Who do these guys think they are, the Orioles?

Speaking of our beloved orange-birds there isn't a whole to talk about right now. Spring Training is still months away and the Winter Meetings will be happening soon, but that is about it. The Orioles needs have been re-hashed dozens of times: First base, Third base, starting pitcher, closer. So the endless debate now is whether or not to fill from within the organization or head to the FA market with money and a list pinned to our shirt so we don't lose it.

The Orioles internal options are intriguing. They have a man in the organization that could step-in and fill any one of these positions. At third you have Josh Bell and first Brandon Snyder; both looked very good in the minors last year and had strong showings in the AFL. Jake Arrieta is sitting in the minors waiting for his turn to get called up and as far as closers go you have internal options ranging from Koji Uehara ad Jim Johnson to Kam Mickolio and David Hernandez.

The Orioles have players to plug in this means that for the first time in years the Orioles can go into the free agent and trade markets as choosers rather than beggars.

General Manager Andy MacPhail has said repeatedly that he will not trade any of the "core" players away so I wouldn't look for the Orioles to make any blockbuster multi-player deals this winter and given the economic climate of most teams I don't really see too many of those types of deals happening. And as for free agency after Lackey gets his deal the next step is quite a doosey.

Andy has stated that they want an experienced solid starter to stabilize the rotation that will be largely comprised of first or second year players. Recently MacPhail also stated that the team was in a position to "assume some risk" when it comes to the bruised fruit of the FA market.

Ben Sheets, Rich Harden and Erik Bedard are all available. Personally I would go for Harden. Harden is the youngest of the bunch and coming off a down year with a down Cubs team. He can be had and will not be a tremendous block to any of the young arms that might still be brewing in the minors. Harden has the potential to be a top of the rotation pitcher and would fit in nicely with the Baltimore crew of young arms. He could be had cheaper than Sheets and will be ready for the start of the season unlike Bedard.

The Winter Meetings are right around the corner and I think the Orioles will be more active than in years past. The Orioles have a glut of players in the outfield and DH, unfortunately that means that Luke Scott might be on the trade block. I don't want to see Luke Scott go anywhere I think his bat, streaky as it is, in the middle of the lineup is something that can not be ignored. He has the ability to carry a team if need be but if the right deal is out there then it needs to be done.

Scott's future with the team is also largely contingent on what role the Orioles view Felix Pie having. If Pie is going to remain a part-time player on the bench, then Reimold is in LF, Scott DH'es. If Pie is viewed as an everyday left-fielder then Reimold and Scott are left splitting a DH role and that makes no one happy. Both of their bats are far too good to be part-time players and that means Scott needs to be dealt.

That situation will be resolved by watching performances this season, so I don't see any major trades happening this winter.

Sitting here writing this just makes me sad. I love the Ravens and all - but - can it be February yet? Can pitchers and catchers report now? When is fanfest? Can I get my tickets yet this year? IS IT APRIL YET?!