Over the weekend, I was chatting with a few bloggers on Twitter during a lull in my evening, and of course topic A was all about Vladmir Guerrero.
After the acquisition of Guerrero was announced, it seemed most fans and mainstream media loved the move. However, online – especially with some bloggers and the sabermetrics crowd – the love was not there.
I’ve heard and read a divergence of opinion over the past few days, and my thought is this.
Whether or not the Vladmir Guerrero deal will be viable for the Orioles in 2011, this fact remains. The Orioles will not improve, or much less reach .500 without the younger pitchers stepping it up.
If Jake Arrieta, Brad Bergesen and Brian Matusz can replicate the same numbers they had once Buck Showalter showed up last season, plus if the bullpen and defense can remain solid, Baltimore will improve.
That’s simple enough.
Until then, it matters very little if they bring in Vladmir Guerrero, Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols. It’s all about the arms and making sure you score more runs than the other team.
I will say this, the Oriole have been awful for a very long time. They have made some terrible free agent signings, have had terrible drafts, a revolver door of executives and seemingly lacked vision for the future.
At this point, I’ve seen enough bad baseball over the past decade-plus. I want to be entertained at a ball game any evening (or afternoon) I’m at the ball park.
Who knows what the next seven or so months will bring – I just want improvement.
