Surprised? Roch say it's Hernandez and Tatum

[ConnO'sFan]

Roch's MASN blog indicates Hernandez and Tatum!

http://masnsports.com/2010/03/hernandez-leaving-camp-for-a-f.html

[Moose Milligan]

Pitchforks! Torches!! PITCHFORKS AND TORCHES!!!!! RRRRAAAAAAAAAARRRRRHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

[backwardsk]

...and possibly Tatum over Moeller. If so, I hope Moeller goes to Norfolk and works with Tillman, Patton, and Arrieta.

[JTrea81]

Well now we know the backup C position will be truly worthless offensively.

Tatum isn't exactly a mentor either as he's only 3 years older than Wieters and has less service time in the majors...

My guess is that the pitchers want to throw to him more than they do Moeller.

[tvz1997]

Good for David. It appears they let him know before he headed out for his grandmother's funeral. I'm glad they could give him a little bit of piece of mind while he is away.

[NewMarketSean]

Didn't Moeller have a great ST? And he hit pretty well in Baltimore last year too. I am surprised about this...I wonder if Moeller will somehow stick as a coach, he worked really well with the young pitchers last year.

[Sports Guy]

Both are poor decisions.

[backwardsk]

Well now we know the backup C position will be truly worthless offensively.

Tatum isn't exactly a mentor either as he's only 3 years older than Wieters and has less service time in the majors...

My guess is that the pitchers want to throw to him more than they do Moeller.

I think it has much more to do with controlling the running game. I think the young guys like throwing to Moeller.

[srock]

A bit surprised, but this does make sense. I bet they give Hernandez 1-2 months, then decide what to do. Either he is a starter or they send him to AAA to become a reliever.

As for Tillman, someone in the rotation gets hurt or fizzles and he's starting before June.

[Moose Milligan]

Well now we know the backup C position will be truly worthless offensively.

Tatum isn't exactly a mentor either as he's only 3 years older than Wieters and has less service time in the majors...

My guess is that the pitchers want to throw to him more than they do Moeller.

I'm not sure what you want here. There aren't many good offensive catchers in the game to begin with. Any catcher who'd provide a little bit of offense would probably be starting somewhere or at least platooning.

[AgentOrange]

Wow. Love the depth at pitching.

We have Tillman, Arrieta and Britton still to come up.

[tvz1997]

A bit surprised, but this does make sense. I bet they give Hernandez 1-2 months, then decide what to do. Either he is a starter or they send him to AAA to become a reliever.

As for Tillman, someone in the rotation gets hurt or fizzles and he's starting before June.

I'm not so sure. If we need him in early May, Tillman will be up. If we need another starter on May 23rd or later, I don't know if the Os will consider holding him back for another month to give them another year of club control. Berken could always step in for a few weeks.

[ChaosLex]

Wow. Love the depth at pitching.

We have Tillman, Arrieta and Britton still to come up.

Just imagine when we add Hobgood and Taillon to the mix.

[AgentOrange]

Just imagine when we add Hobgood and Taillon to the mix.

At that point, we can start talking about making trades for hitting prospects.

[ConnO'sFan]

The Hernandez decision doesn't bother me at all. But Tatum over

Chad? This is both an incredible statement by the coaching staff

that Matt is absolutely ready to fly solo and a slap in the face to

Chad. I can't imagine the pitchers being more comfortable with Tatum.