Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
February 12, 2007
Kris KO'd

Kris Benson tore his rotator cuff and will miss the 2007 season:

Benson, 32, will require surgery to repair his injury, which surfaced after he began throwing in off-season workouts, according to a source with knowledge of his condition.

"We'd like to get (the surgery) done as soon as possible so we can start the recovery process," Benson's agent, Gregg Clifton, told The Associated Press. "No one can accurately predict the duration of recovery. I'm not a doctor. It's not what I think or what Kris thinks. It's what the doctors think."

The Orioles, coming off nine straight losing seasons, expected Benson to solidify a rotation that includes left-hander Erik Bedard, righty Jaret Wright and two promising youngsters, righty Daniel Cabrera and lefty Adam Loewen.

To replace Benson, the Orioles could sign a free agent from a dwindling list that includes right-hander Steve Trachsel, left-hander Ron Villone and left-hander Mark Redman.

This season would be Benson's walk year. I doubt the Orioles will pick up his option for 2008, and a big payday is going to be delayed another season. Given the decline in Benson's strikeouts and the increase in his home run rate over the last three seasons, it's possible the market for him would be thin anyway.


Posted by David Pinto at 04:50 PM | Injuries | TrackBack (0)
Comments

The Orioles should post an offer for a left handed power pitcher to complement Daniel Cabrera. Nate Robertson is a strong possibility. I like Brad Penny at the top of the rotation as well. Ultimately, Dontrelle Willis would be a perfect fit in the Orioles organization. Jim Beaty, head of Orioles operations, tends to go after big guns as they near the end of their first contracts. (He secured Tejada, Sosa, and Palmiero just a couple years ago.) Problem is, it would only be a one or 2 year deal with D-Train requiring at least $25 million. If the Orioles are as serious about strengthening their pitching staff as they declare, they need to step up and beat all offers.

The O's do still need a dependable set-up man in the bullpen though they have made improvements in that department. Chris Ray is poised to have another strong year in the closer's role. They are still weak in 2 outfield positions. Cory Patterson and Jay Payton are both questionable while Nick Markakis should have an excellent season. Newly aquired Aubrey Huff should play a decent 1st base as the rest of the infield looks the same.

Scott Kazmir would also fill the void at the top of the rotation, but it is not likely that the Devil Rays would let their number 1 go, especially in their own division. Although, stranger things have happened. This is the AL East.

Thanks, J.R.

Posted by: JR at February 13, 2007 01:39 AM
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