Andy MacPhail was the mastermind behind a World Series team for the Twins and a Cubs team that was an inning away from going to the World Series, so naturally Orioles fans were ecstatic when he was hired in 2007. Many expected MacPhail to turn the Orioles around much like he did the Twins and Cubs, but losing defined the MacPhail era like it did during the previous decade in Baltimore. While the win-loss record was not good, their success in 2012 can be attributed to move made by MacPhail and current O’s GM Dan Duquette. 
Certainly the Erik Bedard and Miguel Tejada trades were the ones that got all of the publicity and certainly brought the biggest piece in Adam Jones, but it was the under the radar – and often criticized – moves that have led to the Orioles’ first place campaign in 2012.
In his final season with the Orioles, Andy MacPhail traded much maligned reliever Mike Gonzalez and the often injured Koji Uehara both to Texas in separate deals that at the time seemed like it would reap no benefits. For both Gonzalez and Uehara, the Orioles acquired starting pitcher Tommy Hunter, first baseman Chris Davis and reliever Pedro Strop. At the time many O’s fans were happy to see Gonzalez go, but were frustrated to see both former Orioles play vital roles in the Rangers’ run to the World Series. Since that deal, Chris Davis has been cemented at first base and has produced better at the plate (and on the mound!) than expected. Hunter has been decent as a starter and Pedro Strop has emerged as the best 8th inning man in baseball and the Orioles’ closer of the future – not bad for trading two aging relievers!
Let’s not forget that MacPhail also traded minor league pitchers Jim Hoey and Brett Jacobson to the Twins for JJ Hardy before the 2011 season. Hardy has become the best HR hitting shortstop in baseball and received a 3-year extension. Also to notes, neither Hoey or Jacobson are currently on the Twins.
After MacPhail’s departure, the Orioles were left with a dilemma on whom to replace him with. Do they bring in a brash, young guy who may have no GM experience? Or, do they bring in a person who has held the position before and had some success but was fired? After getting turned down by Tony Lacava (who I personally really wanted), the Orioles were once again the laughing stock of the league as they were forced to settle for Dan Duquette who had not worked in the Major Leagues since 2002.
In his first trade with the Orioles, Duquette traded fan favorite and “ace” Jeremy Guthrie to the Rockies for Jason Hammel and Matt Lindstrom. This was a move that was criticized by basically every Orioles fan. There certainly is no Orioles fan who is criticizing that trade now though as Hammel and Lindstrom have both been lights out for an Oriole pitching staff that has been one of the best in baseball for the first month of the season. Guthrie, on the other hand, has spent the majority of his time in Colorado on the disabled list.
After the Guthrie trade the Orioles brought in the versatile Wilson Betemit who had failed to live up to expectations since being signed by the Braves and being labeled one of the best prospects in the game. Despite his ability to play many different positions, a lot of O’s fans scoffed at the Betemit signing, yet those people were the first to cheer when Betemit won the game for the Orioles with a walk-off homer earlier this season. He has not yet set the world on fire, but Betemit has been a nice acquisition for the O’s and they would not have been as successful without him.
Once again, much to the dismay of their fans, the Orioles failed to make the big splash via free agency or trade, leading to low expectations from a very tepid fan base. In case anyone hasn’t noticed, Wilson Betemit has more homers then Prince Fielder and Jason Hammel has more wins than Edwin Jackson and neither is on a first place team.
Teams who make worst-to-first runs have better than expected performances from people they might not expect. Certainly Betemit and Hammel have produced more than their previous numbers have indicated and the Orioles, as a team, have over achieved.
After a moth and a half of baseball that has produced 22 wins, the under-the-radar acquisitions for the Orioles are producing dividends and have helped changed the baseball culture in Baltimore.
Hopefully these guys can keep it up for the entire season. If they do, it will be a fun summer of baseball in Charm City.
