Five story lines for the Orioles in the second half:
Who will manage?
At least until early August, the answer remains Dave Trembley, formerly the bullpen coach, who took over for Sam Perlozzo on June 19 and has compiled a 9-9 record, while having the luxury of writing Miguel Tejada's name into the lineup only three times.
Under Trembley, the Orioles have played looser, more aggressively and made fewer mental errors. Trembley has done a good job of resting what had been a tired bullpen and communicating with what had been a disenchanted clubhouse. His rah-rah, "play the game right" style has been well received by the players, who have participated in infield practice before the first game of each series under Trembley.
Club officials have repeatedly recognized that the Orioles are playing with much more energy and enthusiasm and cited Trembley as a main reason. But they have yet to say that he'll manage the club the rest of the season.
Instead, Andy MacPhail, whose hiring was announced just days after Perlozzo's dismissal, has put the manager question on the back burner after top choice Joe Girardi rejected the Orioles' offer. He said that it will be revisited after the July 31 trade deadline, though he would prefer a manager in place before the start of the offseason.
Club sources say MacPhail has at least started making a list of potential managers; however, it doesn't appear that he's ready to act anytime soon. Don Baylor, Dusty Baker, Joey Cora, all of whom have managed in Mac- Phail-led organizations before, are among the candidates.
"That has been pushed aside until we get past the deadline," MacPhail said. "I don't think you can be anything but impressed with the enthusiasm and energy level of the team since Dave has taken the helm. We hope that continues."
Can they sign Wieters?
The Orioles took a significant risk when they chose Georgia Tech catcher Matt Wieters with the fifth overall pick in last month's first-year player draft. Wieters' talent has never been questioned, but the Orioles' ability to sign super agent Scott Boras' client has been.
They have until Aug. 15 to do it, and although both sides acknowledge there has been some communication between the two parties, they are nowhere near a deal. In fact, the Orioles said the process will likely drag into August, though they fully expect to sign the catcher, whom executive vice president Mike Flanagan has likened to a switch-hitting Joe Mauer.
