It all starts with pitching… including my blog

Firstly, I would just like to say, “Thank you, and it’s good to be here.” But now that we have that cliché out of the way, let’s go.

As an fan of and blogger for the Orioles, what other way could I make my first Birds Watcher blog than with a gripe about the team?

This offseason, like many others in Baltimore, I was really looking forward to some strong acquisitions in regards to starting pitching. While I am looking forward to seeing what Wei-Yin Chen can bring to the mound as a starting pitcher, we need more. (Notice I didn’t include Tsuyoshi Wada because as well all know most of the time, soft tossers + AL East Sluggers = @#%*.)

Math aside, you may have noticed what we have signed are outfielders. While Nick Markakis is locked, Adam Jones has been the subject of many trade rumors. But if he is not traded, then we’re left with is a hole in left field… because apparently the people who trust Nolan Reimold are sitting in the stands and hashtagging #FreeNolanReimold on Twitter, and are not on the Orioles payroll.

This offseason, the Orioles have signed outfielders Jai Miller and Endy Chavez. But the problem does not lie in the outfield or even in the bats as much as it lies in the pitching.

How about signing a starting pitcher? Because I, for one, wish to be finished with seeing Triple-A arms be forced into major league roles before they are ready, especially when they show numbers like this:

Brian Matusz (2011): 1-9, 10.69 ERA with 18 HR over 12 games.

As stated in Dominic Vadala’s blog post, it would be a good thing to sign a bigger name to increase the interest in FanFest this weekend. There are many free agents out there still who could make a solid fit as a No. 3 or 4 guy in the rotation. It’s time for Baltimore to snag him up.

Rant aside, in all honesty, as quickly as my hands flew over the keys to write this, I am so blessed and ready to start this blog. I am writing about the team I love through thick and a lot of thin. I hope that I can give you insight and intelligent opinions through writing. I’m ready to go.

Hope you’re right there along with me.

Follow me on Twitter @oliviawitherite