As the Balfour Deal Turns

If the Orioles’ attempted signing of Grant Balfour was a “debacle” before, it has reached all-out “saga” status today. Look, we  don’t break news here at Bird’s Eye View, so for this one, we’re going to assume that you’ve already read the reports this morning that the Orioles bailed on the Grant Balfour deal because of concerns over his wrist and knee (not, as was assumed, his shoulder).

Let me explain. No, there is too much, let me sum up:

1. Orioles trade Jim Johnson for a bag of balls named Jemile Weeks. Orioles fans freak out.
2. Orioles agree to terms with Grant Balfour. Orioles fans rejoice.
3. Orioles fail to make any other significant offseason moves. Orioles fans freak out.
4. Grant Balfour deal is voided by Orioles for medical reasons. Orioles fans freak out.
5. Physicians with knowledge of Balfour’s shoulder say the Orioles are being too conservative. Orioles fans freak out. National Media freaks out.
6. Orioles fail to make any other significant offseason moves. Orioles fans freak out.
7. Grant Balfour remains on the market. Orioles fans don’t know what to think. National media quiet.
8. Buck Showalter defends Orioles’ medical staff on WBAL. Calls other doctors commenting on the situation “borderline unethical.” Orioles fans don’t know what to think, but love Buck’s attitude.
9. Reports surface that Orioles voided deal over wrist and knee. Orioles fans still don’t know what to think. National media remains quiet.

We mentioned in Episode 61 that, without actually being privy to the medical information, we couldn’t beat the Orioles up for bailing on the Balfour deal – it was simply a matter of the Orioles’ medical staff making a call and going with it. Our frustration was that the decision resulted in the Orioles’ only significant move of the offseason being reversed.

Is that an “I told you so?” No, not even remotely. Scott and I rarely get things right. What I’m saying here is that the Orioles may be somewhat vindicated in the Balfour non-deal. Even with wrist/knee concerns, he could go on to have a successful year. He may end up exacting his revenge on the Orioles one rage-filled save at a time.  But the Orioles had a plan, and they stuck to it, and I don’t fault them for it. If I had blasted the team for the Balfour “saga,” this is the part of the post where I would be apologizing. This is the part where I would stand up and say that I got it wrong – that I reacted to the fragments of information available, and unfairly criticized the team. I wonder how many from the legitimate baseball media will do the same?

In the end, none of this matters. If the O’s don’t manage to salvage their offseason, there will be little joy in Mudville in 2014. I can’t see the Orioles competing for a playoff berth without adding significant pieces to the team that failed to do the same last season. But for one day, it feels good knowing that the team I root for with such enthusiasm may be less incompetent than it has been portrayed in the past few weeks.

And yes, in the cold, dark months before Spring Training, I’ll take solace in those moral victories where I can get them.

Photo Credit: Something Magic Happens