Baltimore Orioles: A Place of Beginning Over Again

July 5, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Dane De La Rosa (65) pitches during the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

A theme of the Baltimore Orioles over the past several years is that is has been a place of beginning over again – be that on the field as a player, in the dugout as a manager or coach, or even in the front office as an executive.

All of the Baltimore Orioles news over the past 24 hours has this as a common theme. In my last column I talked about how Dan Duquette will be looked at moving forward in Charm City.

No less than Buck Showalter is, to some extent, beginning over again in Baltimore. Though he had more than just a little success in other places, there were also some difficult times and less than glowing perceptions in those franchises. Buck has learned from these experiences, and he is running an almost impeccable organization in the clubhouse and on the field in Baltimore. And he is rightfully gaining all of the deserved accolades to go along with it.

Duquette has brought in quite a few players who could be defined as those who needed a re-start. Some have really blossomed: Steve Pearce, Miguel Gonzalez, Nelson Cruz, Brad Brach to name a few. Most whom are given this sort of shot at a re-birth are not going to work out. But a few will, and they can be game-changers in an organization.

On Monday, the Baltimore Orioles have picked up another couple such players, along with the familiar face of Steve Johnson. All three are signed to minor league contracts with invites to spring training.

Johnson has been, as I wrote last week when this deal was made public, the pitching version of Nolan Reimold in terms of injury. And like Reimold, when fully healthy is able to compete at a very high level.

Of the other two new names today, I am really excited about one of them, while lukewarm on the other.

Dane De La Rosa at age 32 is coming off a season with knee problems and surgery. However, the performance of this righty reliever in the season before was simply outstanding. With the Angels in 2013, he appeared in 75 games with a 2.86 ERA and 1.161 WHIP. Beyond that, he’s a ground ball pitcher.

One wonders what “Fresh Eyes” might be able to do with this guy who is 6’7” and 245 pounds. It is not like he had arm or shoulder problems since his outstanding season.

So how does he fit into a cramped bullpen. I don’t know. But depth moves have paid off in the past.

The other addition yesterday is a lefty/lefty corner outfielder in Chris Parmelee, formerly with the Twins. The good news is that he is only next month turning age 27 and he was a first-round draft pick – which pretty much goes without saying with DD acquisitions.