1st Half MVP-
2b Brian Roberts- Excellent 2b, 27 steals and an elite leadoff man, should have started the All Star game….2nd in MLB in Doubles, 3rd in triples… SIGN OF A GOOD TEAM- I considered 4-5 guys for this award
Breakthru Player-
LH Closer George Sherrill- Os all star representative is part of a tremendous trade by the Baltimore front office with Seattle for Eric Bedard. Excellent season with a bad 10 days in the 1st half,2-4,4.08 28 for 34 in save situations…43 Ks in 39 2/3 innings
2nd Half Projection-Thru 93 games, they are 45-48 and have had some major injuries in the pitching staff, start the 2nd season with an 11 game homestand… must leave Camden Yards 2-3 games over .500… I think they get to .500 or better to end the season, 83 wins … Tremendous job by Manager Dave Trembley and these players
Trade Bait-DH-1b-OF Aubrey Huff is having a great year(.284,18,59,.875 OPS) and should have been in the all star game for injured DH David Ortiz. He could make a contending team better… 1b Kevin Millar is another veteran with championship experience… Roberts’ name will come up but unless u offer a kings ransom, hard to see the Os trading him…OF Jay Payton is a great 4th OF and might be moved…Veteran RH RP Chad Bradford(2.70, 13 holds) might make sense for a team with bullpen needs but he has been great for Baltimore and with the rash of Os pitching injuries, can they afford to move him?
2nd Half Breakout Candidate
CF Adam Jones(.281,5,41)- Has had some strong games last 2-3 weeks, very good defense and has responded to hitting in the #2 hole
Next Game-
The Orioles start the 2nd half Thursday with a 4 game series vs the Detroit Tigers at Camden Yards—7:05 Start
