Why The O’s Are Winning, Part 3
Part 3, Good Acquisitions
The chatter during the offseason this year was rather scathing. It was easy to lose track of message boards, comment sections, and twitter feeds bellyaching that Dan Duquette was letting too many opportunities fall by the wayside. But when you look at the very end of the “hot stove” season, you find some great transactions. Examples:
Photo: Greg Mac
February 5, Evan Meek
February 11, Caleb Joseph
February 24, Nelson Cruz
March 4, Johan Santana
March 24, Steve Lombardozzi
I like every single acquisition that was made in that short list. Cruz has done so well, the O’s are giving away CRUUUUUUUUZ T-Shirts tomorrow. Caleb Joseph may become the next catcher to either leapfrog Clevenger or become trading bait. Either one will be good for him. And Lombardozzi filled in with top-rate fielding and prompt clutch hitting while he was in Baltimore.
These are not the acquisitions of yesteryear (hints: Albert Belle, Sammy Sosa)
Don’t discount the O’s front office. They seem to finally have a handle on both the money and talent. A good balance produces wins and fills the stadium.
Part 1 is here.
Part 2 is here.
