For most of the past 24 months since Andy MacPhail took over the reins at the Warehouse, the Orioles have been losing, but they have also been interesting. Won-lost column be damned, the Orioles are a much better team today than they were BAM (Before Andy MacPhail) -- but they are not there yet.
So, what are a few of the burning questions and answers going into the All-Star break?
Will manager Dave Trembley be "the man" for the long haul?
Trembley still has a chance to stay in Baltimore for the long haul, but too often his players make bone-headed plays on the field and on the base paths. And what is heard from the skipper is, "it's unacceptable." What does that really mean in this day and age? It smacks of when younger people take a mea culpa and say, "my bad." When the losses outweigh the wins, more accountability is needed.
Chances are if the team can hover around .500 from now until the end of the season, without a late collapse, Trembley will make it to start the 2010 season. That position also depends partly on who gets pink-slipped before then.
Who should the Orioles trade before July 31?
Numerous observers in town have George Sherrill, Luke Scott and Aubrey Huff all but gone -- but I say, not so fast.
Sherrill has been the epitome of a lock-down closer this year, and his loss would probably force Jim Johnson into the closer's role. That wouldn't be so bad, but then who goes into Johnson's position? Same goes with Scott and Huff.
The Orioles are in that odd place where part of their strength is in their depth at the major league level. Dealing that depth for prospects can be the way to go backward in a hurry. Exactly what position are we looking to get better? Nolan Reimold, Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, Matt Wieters and Brian Roberts are set for the foreseeable future.
Remember, there is a huge difference between better players and playing better.
Which starting pitchers can fans look forward to seeing in the second half?
Brad Bergesen looks to be the best pitcher developed by the Birds since Erik Bedard -- and he's a much better teammate. Unless MacPhail thinks he can turn Jeremy Guthrie into a more useful part of his team, such as a left-handed relief specialist, Guthrie will still be at the top of this suspect rotation. Rich Hill is like an enigma wrapped in a riddle, yet he is left-handed and pitches for the Orioles, so he'll be given every opportunity.
After that, two of the Birds new kiddie corps, Jason Berken and David Hernandez, will get multiple chances to prove their worth for 2010 and beyond. It's possible Berken may have to take a step back, like Hernandez, in order to be ready for this level.
Koji Uehara has proven two things to date -- he can get major league hitters out, and he could be an interesting guy out of the bullpen. How the Birds translate the transition is important. Uehara's position as the Orioles' first foray into the Asian market makes it important not just on the field but also from a public relations standpoint.
Realistically, Chris Tillman is an injury away from being in Baltimore, and Troy Patton could also surface soon. September is the earliest we're likely to see Jake Arrieta.