If Tillman and Norris don't start pitching well, what will the O's do?

[LookitsPuck]

Tillman isn't showing any signs of progression.

Strikeouts are down. Walks are up. He's throwing a lot of pitches. He's not going deep into games. It's not pretty. Yesterday was the perfect time to hurl 7-8 IP and mow down hitters...and he only went 6 IP while throwing near 100 pitches to one of the worst offenses in the game.

[Nevermore]

Tillman isn't showing any signs of progression.

Strikeouts are down. Walks are up. He's throwing a lot of pitches. He's not going deep into games. It's not pretty. Yesterday was the perfect time to hurl 7-8 IP and mow down hitters...and he only went 6 IP while throwing near 100 pitches to one of the worst offenses in the game.

I know that this seems pretty radical. But if Tillman doesn't show signs of improvement in the next 2-3 starts, then give him "the Ubaldo Treatment" i.e. demote him to the pen and let him get extra help from Wallace and Chiti -- find out what is wrong with Tillman's command and mechanics and he can work hard to correct his mistakes. Gausman can take his place in the rotation, the same as last year when Gausman took Ubaldo's place in the rotation. It worked well for Ubaldo, it can work for Tilly as well.

As for Norris, he's going to be a FA after this year. Trade him. If he does well for his next few starts, then we can get someone of value for him. If he doesn't do well,then trade him, even if it's for a bag of baseballs.