That was the other shoe

Nobody is surprised that Sam Perlozzo was fired . A month ago we knew that, for better or for worse, Perlozzo's head was on the gallows and that it was just a matter of time before Boris dropped the floor.

Here is the real surprise of today's proceedings; Andy MacPhail:

Meanwhile, the same sources said Andy MacPhail has reached an agreement to be the Orioles' chief operating officer.

MacPhail and Girardi overlapped in Chicago during MacPhail's tenure as Cubs president and CEO of the Chicago Cubs, which began in 1994 and ended in 2006. Girardi, who managed the Florida Marlins in 2006, was the Cubs' catcher for two stints totaling six seasons, the last from 2000-02.

MacPhail won two World Series championships as general manager of the Minnesota Twins in 1987 and 1991.

And that probably makes Mike Flanagan and Jim Duquette very nervous campers right about now. MacPhail has a pedigree for winning; they don't, and this year certainly does not help their cause.

The question is this: will MacPhail be given the ability to do his job properly? Remember that Pat Gillick only lasted three years as the O's GM before bailing out of town.

Maybe, just maybe, Peter Angelos has finally seen the writing of the wall and understands that, like George Steinbrenner, sometimes being hands off works out a little better than being so hands on. Maybe Angelos realizes the free agent bounty that awaits in the coming off season and that MacPhail, with the backing of the Angelos checkbook, can rebuild this team into an honest to god contender.

Now, let's hold our breath and see if Joe Girardi really wants to be here....