Orioles Mailbag: should Hernandez DH more? Will big Russ Ortiz and Rodrigo be back?

Mailbag: Should Hernandez DH more?
Beat writer Spencer Fordin answers Orioles fans' questions

Would Ramon Hernandez have had a better season if he caught less games or spent more time as the designated hitter during the hot summer months?-- Walter B., Las Vegas

Hernandez just had the best offensive season of his career, so it's hard to say whether he would've been able to do even better. The backstop went into 2006 as Baltimore's most heralded acquisition, and he justified the acclaim by handling his job behind the plate and setting career highs in home runs (23), RBIs (91) and hits (138). Hernandez also set personal bests for a full season in both on-base percentage (.343) and slugging (.479).
The veteran managed all those numbers despite a wicked midseason slump that dropped him from the middle of the batting order to the bottom. Hernandez hit .260 or better in every month except July, when he hit .180. His power numbers dropped in the second half, but he finished the year with three homers in his last five games. In Baltimore's anemic offense, Hernandez ranked second in homers, RBIs and extra-base hits (54).
The Orioles are counting on Hernandez to produce a similar year in '07 -- preferably without the midseason swoon. And his bat is just an added benefit. The former All-Star was signed for his ability to work with young pitchers, a trait he showed in prior stops in Oakland and San Diego. If Hernandez can coax the best possible results out of pitchers like Erik Bedard, Daniel Cabrera and Adam Loewen, the O's won't care how he hits.

What are the Orioles going to do about Rodrigo Lopez? As a starter, he had the most losses in the Major Leagues. Is he going to stick in Baltimore as a reliever?-- Joshua S., Centreville, Va.

Lopez might be a lost cause. Baltimore gave him every chance to succeed, but he became just the third pitcher in franchise history to lose more than 17 games. Lopez had an ERA under 5.00 in just two months -- August (4.85) and September (3.97) -- and both came way after his season was beyond redemption. Despite all that, Lopez is still under contractual control, and the O's will likely try to trade him in the early part of the winter.
That's really the only recourse. Lopez, who holds a career record of 60-61, is a year shy of free agency. The Orioles will likely decline to offer him arbitration, because the process would all but guarantee a raise. In this case, that would mean a salary of $4 million or more. If a trade proves unlikely or impossible, Baltimore's only other option is to refuse to offer him a contract. In that case, Lopez would become a free agent.
What would be the point of losing him without compensation? In this case, it would mean saving $4 million or more. Baltimore isn't going to pay a reliever that much, and Lopez has pitched himself out of the rotation permanently. The Orioles will shop for a starting pitcher to take his spot -- even if it means paying more money. Lopez would do well to land with a National League team, where he could miss some of the game's biggest bats.

Angel Chavez, who came to the Orioles in the Jeff Conine trade, appears to be Baltimore's best shortstop in the Minor Leagues. Is he the fall-back option if the O's opt to trade Miguel Tejada?-- Jeffrey B., Camden, Maine

Chavez is an interesting player, but he can't fill Tejada's cleats. The infielder showed some pop last season -- which he split between Double-A and Triple-A -- but his true purpose in the organization is to add depth. Think of him as a supercharged Brandon Fahey, but without the ability to play left field. Tejada is the team's most indispensable player, and if the Orioles trade him, they'd likely need to land a replacement in the deal.
Chavez, meanwhile, may fit into the team's plans as a future utilityman. Second base and shortstop are the team's two strongest positions -- thanks to Brian Roberts and Tejada, respectively -- but Baltimore sorted through its utility options last season. Ed Rogers, Howie Clark and Fernando Tatis were all given chances to stick as reserve infielders, but none grabbed the job. If he ever gets the chance, Chavez may fare better.

What's the deal with Russ Ortiz? Will he be back next season?-- Emmaleigh O., Clay, W.Va.

Ortiz recently filed for free agency and most likely won't be back in Baltimore next season. The veteran went winless in 26 appearances last season and lost starting jobs with both Arizona and the Orioles. He allowed 18 home runs in 63 innings and may never regain the form that made him a strong starter with San Francisco and Atlanta. Ortiz doesn't have much velocity anymore and can't fool hitters with his breaking stuff.
Another Oriole, infielder Chris Gomez, filed for free agency at the earliest possible moment. Gomez spent two years in Baltimore and proved that he can still field adequately at every infield position. The 35-year-old does most of his damage against left-handed pitchers and will be searching for a utility job. Two years ago, Gomez signed as a Minor League free agent. This time, he may have to look for the same kind of deal.