duke of dorwood
11-20-2001, 10:44 PM
From the Baltimore Sun:
A rebuilding team, the Orioles today enter baseball's free-agent marketplace offering mixed signals about which aisle they will choose: the one offering bright-light names such as Bonds and Gonzalez or the blue-light selection underscoring the need for patience.
This much is certain: The Orioles' two most pressing needs, according to vice president of baseball operations Syd Thrift, are a closer and a hitter.
Having endured a season in which rookie closer Ryan Kohlmeier fumbled the role, was twice optioned and ultimately lost to the Chicago White Sox on a waiver claim, the Orioles seek someone to stem a perennial bullpen shuffle. Transplanted middle reliever Buddy Groom led the staff with 11 saves because rookie Willis Roberts was deemed not ready.
A rebuilding team, the Orioles today enter baseball's free-agent marketplace offering mixed signals about which aisle they will choose: the one offering bright-light names such as Bonds and Gonzalez or the blue-light selection underscoring the need for patience.
This much is certain: The Orioles' two most pressing needs, according to vice president of baseball operations Syd Thrift, are a closer and a hitter.
Having endured a season in which rookie closer Ryan Kohlmeier fumbled the role, was twice optioned and ultimately lost to the Chicago White Sox on a waiver claim, the Orioles seek someone to stem a perennial bullpen shuffle. Transplanted middle reliever Buddy Groom led the staff with 11 saves because rookie Willis Roberts was deemed not ready.