A message to the Orioles fanbase...

The majority of you aren't helping matters...

Look I realize Andy's plan is a great feel good story, the underdog Orioles grow their own players using the Oriole Way and they all band together to take down the two AL East juggernauts of Boston and New York.

But like some stories, it's pure fiction. And I'll tell you why:

1. MLB ballplayers want to win

You know that core of Reimold, Jones, Wieters. Well they aren't locked up yet, and if the Orioles keep losing, they won't want to be. Jones and Wieters are especially critical because they are highly competitive and I could see either guy in another uniform on a winning team. We can't keep the core together if we don't win.

2. You can't have sustained success in the AL East without established premium talent.

Just look at Tampa. Sure they were the Cinderella team of 2008, but they've lost Kazmir and are going to lose Pena and Crawford after next season. Their window is shut because they can't afford to keep their homegrown talent because they want to get paid. And they can win and get paid on teams like Boston and New York. Nor can they add any premium bats to replace or augment that talent so they have a chance against Boston and New York and therefore win to convince their talent to stay.

The Orioles on the other hand have the payroll room to add talent, and therefore win more games, and show the players that they want to keep that they are serious about winning.
And then they have the room to keep most of those critical players.

So I wish you would stop saying "I'm glad we didn't sign so and so" because all you are doing is giving Andy an excuse to keep this fantasy going. He needs to add some established talent to this ballclub because that's the only way we are going to win in the AL East and the only way our homegrown talent will actually want to stay.

He's said he's going to add some bats this offseason, and you can't let him get away with just Garret Atkins or Carlos Delgado. Not when a bat like Matt Holliday is available.

So I ask you, please hold MacPhail more accountable than you are. Apathy and satisfaction only keep the fantasy going and missing the playoffs a reality.

You are much more intelligent and passionate to believe a dream that just isn't going to come true...