Well, it looks like the Orioles are already moving ahead with interviews with the managerial job not more than a week after Dave Trembley was released.

From the looks of it, Bobby Valentine is in town today to talk about the job, and the organization has already interviewed someone - former Cleveland manager Eric Wedge.

From the Baltimore Sun: Orioles President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail met face-to-face with former Cleveland Indians skipper Eric Wedge on Wednesday as part of an ongoing search to find the club's next manager, according to an industry source.

Wedge is believed to be the first candidate to be interviewed by MacPhail. Former New York Mets manager and current ESPN analyst Bobby Valentine is in Baltimore today to interview.

MacPhail was out of the office for most of Thursday, and one industry source said he was conducting another interview. But details of that have not been disclosed.

MacPhail is not discussing specifics of his managerial search. When contacted by phone Friday morning, Wedge declined comment.

Wedge, 42, took the Indians job in 2003 at the age of 35, and spent seven seasons in Cleveland, compiling a 561-573 record (.495 winning percentage). He was fired last year after the Indians lost 97 games.

In 2007, Wedge won the American League Manager of the Year award by guiding the Indians to 96 wins, an AL Central title and a Game 7 loss to the Boston Red Sox in the American League Championship Series.

As well, two other names - Buck Showalter and Phil Garner have been mentioned as candidates as part of the interview process; however, they have not been contacted by the Orioles for a formal chat (unless both men are just trying to be discreet).

From the Orioles.com: Two other rumored candidates for the position -- Phil Garner and Buck Showalter -- both told MLB.com they have not been contacted by the Orioles for the managerial vacancy.

If contacted by the O's, however, Showalter said he wouldn't rule out an opportunity to guide the team.

"It's an honor to be mentioned for a Major League job," Showalter told MLB.com. "It has the potential to be a great situation [in Baltimore]. It's a very rich tradition. At one time, it was an organization the rest of the league judged itself by."

Garner said he considers MacPhail an acquaintance and dismissed a FoxSports.com report that stated they are good friends and have been in talks, adding that he hasn't talked to MacPhail in several years.

Like Showalter, Garner said he'd consider a job as O's skipper if offered to him -- but contact has not been made.

"You look at their situation, it might be the most competitive race [in the American League East], but that doesn't scare you if you like to compete," Garner told MLB.com.

"[MacPhail] has a good style, he appears to work with his manager closely and doesn't micromanage. At least he doesn't appear to."

Last night, I ran into a fellow blogger - Stacey Long of Camden Chat - at Oriole Park and we mentioned this very same topic in reference to Rick Dempsey's name and his lobbying for the managerial position.

I think the Orioles sincerely want to find a proven manager at the major league level -- especially one that has a track record of being a winner in their career. That's pretty obvious now.

I'm sure the Orioles and Andy MacPhail have a defined list of candidates they will interview at this point and each one fits a certain criteria.

Not that hiring a big name manager may necessarily fix anything with the major league team (case in point: Mike Hargrove); however, I really think the next manager will be one who seemingly try to do their best to eradicate the 'losing culture' and reach some of the struggling players.

In a season full of injuries, losses and bad news all around, the Orioles really needed something positive to happen this month. Last night, Jake Arrieta made his major league debut at Oriole Park at Camden Yards and had a tall order facing the World Champion New York Yankees.

In the end, the Orioles defeated the Yankees, 4-3, avoiding a three-game sweep and Arrieta earned his first win in the big leagues.

Although Jake's start didn't get even the scant amount of attention that Stephen Strasburg got in the Mid-Atlantic region, he held his own, going six innings, giving up three runs on four hits. Arrieta struck out six and walked four.

Arrieta's outing was by no means perfect -- in fact, I think he could have been lit up a few times -- however, he managed to work out of jams, and perhaps saved the Orioles as he struck out Marcus Thames with the bases loaded in the sixth inning.

New York scored once in the second inning off Arrieta, and twice in the third, but didn't do any damage after that.

Another young player who stepped to the challenge was former starter David Hernandez, who closed out the game and earned his first major league save. With a taxed Baltimore bullpen, Hernandez came in a preserved a slim one-run lead to finish things up on Thursday.

The Baltimore offense came through and sent New York starting pitcher A.J. Burnett to a loss. He went 6 2/3 innings and gave up four runs - all earned.

The Orioles scored twice in the third off a Wigginton sacrifice fly and RBI-single by Adam Jones. They struck again and tied the game at three off Scott Moore's first homer of the year - a solo shot - in the fith inning.

Baltimore broke the tie in the sixth inning off an Adam Jones RBI-double.

Tonight, the Orioles lost 4-2 to the Yankees on a rainy, dreary night at Camden Yards. The numbers may show that pitcher Chris Tillman pitched well despite the loss; however, he was hurt by his defense - which committed three errors - and found himself in jams at times.

Of course, C.C. Sabathia came through for the Bronx Bombers against the Birds. He went seven innings and gave up two runs on the night, earning the win.

Baltimore took a 2-0 lead - an RBI-single from Garrett Atkins in the second and Jones in the third; however, the Yankees scored in the fourth, twice in the sixth, and once again in the eighth inning.

The Orioles managed ten hits on the night, but left ten on base and could not at all get the big ones needed to give them the advantage.

Now Baltimore is 16-43 and their death spiral seems to have no end. Amazingly, Jake Arrieta is making his major league debut against the New York Yankees on Thursday night. I don't know if I would have had him start against the Yankees - keep in mind, Washington had Stephen Strasburg face Pittsburgh - but I guess the team needs all the pitching help they can get.

Finally, it looks like the Orioles are going full steam ahead in their quest to find a new manager. The Baltimore Sun reports that Bobby Valentine's interview is eminent, and former Cleveland manager Eric Wedge is on the docket.

There's something about Bobby Valentine that's very intriguing as he would command a huge salary, but would bring some well needed buzz, and name recognition to the organization. I'm sure he'd command - and receive - a lot of respect from the players and fans; however, who knows if his colorful past will follow him and eventually be repeated.

I do think Eric Wedge is a solid manager and got screwed in Cleveland because of the exodus of talent over the course of several years. He's definitely a lot more key than Valentine and I would think too fit in well with the Orioles. I figure there are other candidates - like Buck Showalter and the retreads like Phil Garner - but those are the ones I've read about so far.

Whoever gets the job, they'll need a lot of patience, hope and tolerance for a situation that may be less than desirable for now.

In the end, it looks like the Orioles are going after someone with experience. I would think that Juan Samuel would be interviewed and who knows what would happen?

As well, there's been a lot of talk about giving Rick Dempsey a shot at being Baltimore's manager. Although he's an Oriole legend and has performed numerous jobs with the team, I don't know if he's a viable candidate. A lot of fans really like Rick and he's definitely a part of the history of the franchise.

(You've got to hear this podcast with unexpected guest Rick Dempsey from 105.7's "The Mark Viviano Show")

I'm interested why (I assume there's a back story) he's not managed at the major league level or given serious consideration?

If you enjoy the ESPN Zone restuarant in Baltimore, Washington D.C. or in several other cities, there's some bad news in store for you.

Today, the Baltimore Sun and other news outlets nationwide reported that the Walt Disney Company is shutting down the store/restaurant off Pratt Street in the Inner Harbor and other locations in Chicago, New York, Las Vegas and Washington D.C.

The only locations that will remain open are in Los Angeles and Anaheim, California. Most think that the economy, change in cinsumer spending habits, competition from bars and other businesses did the ESPN Zone chain in.

The Inner Harbor restaurant has held many events for the Orioles, Ravens and other local athletes. It's sad to hear of it's demise as I've gotten to know some of the staff there over the years.

The Orioles have called up their own stud AAA pitcher, Jake Arrieta, to make his major league debut tomorrow against the Yankees. Strasburg gets the Pirates; Arrieta gets the Yankees. If that doesn't illustrate the gaping difference between the AL East and the NL East then I don't know what will. The corresponding roster move has not been announced but i bet it will be either Castillo or Albers. The smart money is on Castillo.

Jake has been tearing up the minors all year. The Oriolles 5th round pick from the '07 draft is sporting a 7-2 record with a 1.85 ERA in the International League this year; he is striking out just under eight batters a game posting 64 K's in 73 innings pitched.

The Orioles are going to need Arrieta to come up here and generate some sort of buzz around this team. It is a hard thing to do when you are 25 games under .500 in June and your season is virtually over. The Orioles are searching for a permanent manager and the Baltimore Sun reports that former Mets manager Bobby Valentine will interview for the job soon. That is actually very surprising to me; not that Valentine will be interviewed but that it is happening so quickly. It is more than obvious now that Juan Samuel is as interim as they get and he may not be in the captain's chair for very long.

If Bobby Valentine is interested then dang it lock him up. Valentine brings a bit of instant credibility to the clubhouse and a veteran voice that players would simply have to respect. Valentine also brings a little credibility to a struggling franchise moreso than an Eric Wedge or Bob Melvin would bring.

The Orioles need some compelling storylines this summer and Valentine trying to put this team back together would certainly be one.

After last night's drubbing from the Yankees (12-7) Kevin Millwood must be in some sort of personal Hell. He must be looking in the mirror and wonder what he did to deserve this? It is June 9th and Millwood sits without a win. He should easily have at least three or four. The Orioles dismal offense is mostly to blame, but that has been talked about enough. Millwood needs to be traded but the Orioles need to get this guy some wins first. Ty Wigginton should be on the block as well, but with Brian Roberts rehab continuing to go poorly I think you need to hold on to hime or risk having a Summer of Julio Lugo or AA filler patrolling second base and no one wants that.

What could Millwood bring in? The Orioles shouldn't be asking for the moon, but they need to take the opportunity to pick up some positional prospects. You aren't going to get anyone's top, ML ready thirdbaseman but you could get a AA second-tier guy or two or a solid AAA guy who is blocked at the ML level. The Orioles should be looking for third, first and second basemen in a potential deal for Millwood.

I wake up everyday expecting this season to be some sort of fevered dream but it is our reality right now. And until the young players step up and start playing to their assumed potentials we will be here for a long time.

On Monday, the Orioles drafted Manny Machado - a high schooler from Florida in the 2010 First Year Player Draft.

The organization looked at drafting a pitcher (right-hander and high-schooler) Jameson Taillon, plus catcher Bryce Harper; however, Harper went first to Washington and Taillon was snatched up by Pittsburgh.

From the Baltimore Sun: When Harper went to the Washington Nationals with the first pick in Monday's first-year player draft and the Pittsburgh Pirates followed by selecting Taillon, Jordan and his crew didn't hesitate to snag Machado, who was considered the best prep hitter available.

"We felt, knowing what was going to happen in front of us, that he was going to be our guy. Today has been very easy for me, to be honest," Jordan said. "I knew I was going to get a good player when I went to bed [Sunday] night. It's been a good day, and I am just very excited for this kid and his family."

Machado, who hit .639 with 12 homers and 68 RBIs in 29 games for Brito Miami Private, becomes the highest Orioles draft pick since LSU's Ben McDonald was taken first overall in 1989.

"I was just here hanging out with family, sitting around waiting for my name to be pronounced over the TV. It was just a great feeling once I heard my name," said Machado, who watched the MLB Network prime-time event with about 25 family members. "My heart dropped, all the nervousness went away. It's a great feeling, an opportunity, a one-time thing that happens, to get drafted."

He has been compared to New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez, also a top high school shortstop out of Miami. Although Machado said "it's a great honor" and "delightful" to be compared to Rodriguez, he said he doesn't compare himself to anyone.

Reading up on him the past week, he does look impressive and the Orioles really do need to build up depth at the shortstop position. I'd imagine Machado would need to some seasoning at the minor league level for a few years and could either sink or swim; however, the team got it right - I think - snagging him up.

The draft is never a sure thing, but teams now more than ever use it as a tool to improve and stock talent (a great case study would be the Washington Nationals). Let's hope the Orioles can improve on the front, sooner rather than later.

The Orioles’ losing streak reached an unfathomable ten games, as the resurgent Red Sox behind the golden arm of Jon Lester, won 8-2. The Red Sox scored an amazing six times in the ninth to make Baltimore a non-factor in the contest.

Once again, the Orioles offense was in the dumps and showed signs of life in the 9^th inning as they scored twice. However, the game was over by then.

The Orioles are now 15-41 and it’s obvious to anyone now that the problem isn’t with the manager – it’s with the construction of the team, and the players on it aren’t doing the job (or they just aren’t good).

Really, fans love the Orioles, but they are just beyond frustrated right now with the losing and players who just can’t get a break. I think they are trying; however, the results just aren’t there.

I don’t know what to say anymore. It’s going to be a long four months for us fans unless a miracle happens.