Improvement

Over the weekend, I was chatting with a few bloggers on Twitter during a lull in my evening, and of course topic A was all about Vladmir Guerrero.

After the acquisition of Guerrero was announced, it seemed most fans and mainstream media loved the move. However, online – especially with some bloggers and the sabermetrics crowd – the love was not there.

I’ve heard and read a divergence of opinion over the past few days, and my thought is this.

Whether or not the Vladmir Guerrero deal will be viable for the Orioles in 2011, this fact remains. The Orioles will not improve, or much less reach .500 without the younger pitchers stepping it up.

If Jake Arrieta, Brad Bergesen and Brian Matusz can replicate the same numbers they had once Buck Showalter showed up last season, plus if the bullpen and defense can remain solid, Baltimore will improve.

That’s simple enough.

>>> Read More