Orioles are going to move Matusz to the bullpen in triple a

[SteveO]

Really not much of a story here. If Matusz were to be helpful to this team after Sept 1st, I think almost all of us agree the best way he could help would be as an additional left handed reliever out of the pen. Based on past experience with Brian, I think its smart to get him acclimated to the bullpen down in Norfolk and evaluate how he handles it.

[emmett16]

It doesn't mean this is forever, it just means this is a way for him to help the team this year. This is what I love about DD. We haven't had that kind of thinking around here in a long time, mainly because the Orioles have not been in this situation. If Matusz can be an effective reliever for us this year great, use him. They can always move him back to the rotation next spring or, maybe Matusz will prove this is his best role. Considering him much he seems to labor and the fact that he's never been much of a work horse, this might be his best role. Maybe this is what Brian needs as well. A role he an handle effectively. I like this move a lot.

In the past this organization would have Nolan Reimold playing right field in the minors when it was clear he would be a left fielder with the Orioles with Markakis. I've been clamoring for years for the Orioles to use the players and pitchers in the role they will eventually perform. Matusz to the bullpen makes sense because he's not cutting it as a starter and the Orioles are trying to win games this year. The major leagues is no longer about development, it's about winning and if Matusz can help the team win out of the pen, good for everyone. I have to imagine he's better than JC Romero.

Completely agree. I love this move for two reasons. Short term, all hands on deck to help this team win now. This also gives Brian a chance to actually have success, something he hasn't had in the major leagues. If he can have success and gain confidence this could do wonders for his ability to perform in a starting role next year.

[Brooks The Great]

Brian Matusz: the next Andrew Miller.

Really wish we had traded him and Arrieta for Headley.

[weams]

Brian Matusz: the next Andrew Miller.

Really wish we had traded him and Arrieta for Headley.

Oh, is that all they wanted? And there is no room for a third baseman this season.

[SteveO]

Completely agree. I love this move for two reasons. Short term, all hands on deck to help this team win now. This also gives Brian a chance to actually have success, something he hasn't had in the major leagues. If he can have success and gain confidence this could do wonders for his ability to perform in a starting role next year.

With Patton being on the DL now. Guess they get him a few appearances down there and bring him up as an additional lefty especially if Romero struggles

[Brooks The Great]

Oh, is that all they wanted? And there is no room for a third baseman this season.

Headley could have played first base, or LF. He's a perfect bat for the Orioles lineup, and I have no doubt Headley outproduces Arrieta and Matusz combined over the next couple years. San Diego would have been one of the very few places in the majors both Matusz and Arrieta could have thrived in as well.

[Il BuonO]

Matusz was a highly regarded first round pitcher. Eveland is basically a journeyman pitcher with some interesting peripherals that we got for a couple fringe minor leaguers. The issue has shifted from devlopment to immediately helping the team in a limited role. Matusz has more talent. Is anybody going to question that Matusz has more talent than Dana Eveland? How can that be possibly be construed as an indictment on Dana Eveland?

That's right. Eveland may have been used in the role for which they now consider to use BM, but most scouts will tell you he is a marginal ML pitcher at best.

[CA-ORIOLE]

That's right. Eveland may have been used in the role for which they now consider to use BM, but most scouts will tell you he is a marginal ML pitcher at best.

I suppose if the "role" is long relief, I might actually consider Eveland a better choice at this point. Just let Matusz continue to work things out in AAA as a starter. If it's situational lefty, it clearly goes to Matusz.

[Babypowder]

Headley could have played first base, or LF. He's a perfect bat for the Orioles lineup, and I have no doubt Headley outproduces Arrieta and Matusz combined over the next couple years. San Diego would have been one of the very few places in the majors both Matusz and Arrieta could have thrived in as well.

Or Machado could play second, or even short if they wanted him up. We could definitely still make room for the guy that would be the best player on this year's team...

[Il BuonO]

I suppose if the "role" is long relief, I might actually consider Eveland a better choice at this point. Just let Matusz continue to work things out in AAA as a starter. If it's situational lefty, it clearly goes to Matusz.

I think Hunter gets the nod there. He has improved his FB location and his velo is up since his demotion at the beginning of the year. I was no fan of his when they sent him down and still feel like a third time through a line up is a challenge for him, but I'll take him over Eveland. If Hunter is smart he develops a CU or another pitch if he wants to continue as a starter. Eveland can be effective but he doesn't instill any confidence when I watch him.

[CA-ORIOLE]

I think Hunter gets the nod there. He has improved his FB location and his velo is up since his demotion at the beginning of the year. I was no fan of his when they sent him down and still feel like a third time through a line up is a challenge for him, but I'll take him over Eveland. If Hunter is smart he develops a CU or another pitch if he wants to continue as a starter. Eveland can be effective but he doesn't instill any confidence when I watch him.

Yeah, probably right there, but Hunter is still in the rotation as far as I know. I was actually pretty high on Hunter at the end of last year. Adair had him going away from his cutter and working his curve/changeup in more often towards the end of the year. I thought both of those pitches might develop, but they are pretty subpar and I think he's too cutter happy and there's not enogh vecoity difference. That combined with his inabilty to locate his FB down more consistently. But I think you're right that FB location and velocity have both improved recently.

[Oriolidae85]

IP limits was my first thought when reading the thread title. Matusz already has 20 more than last year, but another 15 or so innings in AAA should not be a big deal (he threw 175 in 2010, 105+ in '11). IMO, it is the right move for future roster management planning.

Not worried about development issues when it comes to Brian Matusz working out of the Pen in a playoff push. Hope he has success and builds up that confidence to the 2010 levels when Buck showed up.

[mark_beckens]

Wow, and I thought Arrieta was the more likely BP arm. Makes me wonder more why they wouldn't deal the two for Headey. I wonder if it's a temporary strategy designed to help the team (and maybe Matusz) for this season only.

Palmer pitched outta the BP. Maybe one to two inning outing will help him get some confidence.

[CA-ORIOLE]

IP limits was my first thought when reading the thread title. Matusz already has 20 more than last year, but another 15 or so innings in AAA should not be a big deal (he threw 175 in 2010, 105+ in '11). IMO, it is the right move for future roster management planning..

Why should we care about IP limits for Matusz at this point? Are you saying it's the right move for future roster management because of IP limits?

[CA-ORIOLE]

Palmer pitched outta the BP. Maybe one to two inning outing will help him get some confidence.

I generally dont have an issue working guys out of the BP, but not after three years in the Majors. Anyways it's clearly a temporary strategy and I have no issue with it.