Jones and Roberts: Thoughts and Feelings

The 2012 Orioles continue to be one of the more interesting teams in baseball right now. Despite the series loss to Boston this week the Orioles are opening up a weekend series against the Kansas City Royals with even more intrigue.

First, Brian Roberts. The man that I was sure was completely done at the beginning of the year has made two rehab starts in Bowie so far. How he has done in two games is completely inconsequential because the fact that Brian Roberts is playing professional baseball in 2012 is something that I never thought I would see. I still don't know if Roberts will make his way back to Baltimore this summer, but he is working his way back.

Coming off horrendous post-concussion syndrome Roberts has battled his way back. Many questioned the Orioles' decision to keep him on the 15-day Disabled List, rather then the 60-day DL, where Roberts woudl essentially be wasting a 40-man roster spot. It seems, for the tume being, that GM Dan Duquette's faith is being rewarded. Roberts who was barely fielding balls being rolled to him in Sarasota now appears to be on his way back to Baltimore. And honestly, I don't know how I feel about it.

I love Brian Roberts, he is a great player and he has been one of the brightest spots in a rather dark period in Orioles history. However, has this team passed him by? If Roberts can't be himself? If Roberts can't make the diving plays in the hole; steal second, then third; hit for occasional power and get on base 3.5 times a game - what is he? Is he better than what Robert Andino has become? If he isn't better than Andino then how long do the Orioles give him to prove himself at the big league level? The Orioles aren't playing for .500 anymore, more on that later, I get the feeling that the Orioles are about to make some moves to try and compete in 2012, or show the world that they are ready to compete a lot sooner than anyone thought. If that is true, then how long of a leash does Brian Roberts have in a division where any team has the ability to get hot and on a team with a long history of ill-fated collapses?

I have faith that Duquette and Manager, Buck Showalter will not put ths team in any sort of jeopardy for the sake of Roberts. If he fails to perform, so be it. I just worry about tinkering with the chemistry of this team. Every Oriole fan in this and alternate dimensions is waiting for the proverbial "other-shoe" to drop on this season. So far the team has responded to every bit of adversity it has faced and the proposed addition of a healthy Roberts doesn't sound like a bad thing. However, the road to Hell is paved in good intentions; I will continue to hope for the best.

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