FanHouse continues its 2009 MLB Preview with a look at the Baltimore Orioles.
The Charm City hasn't had much to feel good about when it comes to its baseball team lately. In this case, lately means more than a decade. The last time the Orioles ended the season with a winning record "Honey" by Mariah Carey was the No. 1 song in America and Bill Clinton was in the first year of his second term as president. The year was 1997.
The days of Cal Ripken and Eddie Murray, Jim Palmer and Earl Weaver and Brooks Robinson seem awfully distant now, replaced by a long line of regrettable contracts and questionable talent evaluators at the top of the organization hamstrung by meddling owner Peter Angelos. Still, there seems to be rays of hope in Baltimore.
Competing is never going to be easy in the ultra-competitive American League East, but general manager Andy MacPhail, who took the reins in June 2007, has quickly pieced together one of the best young cores in baseball. There's optimism -- ever so muted optimism -- but real optimism around the Orioles.
| Lineup | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Brian Roberts | 2B |
| 2. | Adam Jones | CF |
| 3. | Nick Markakis | RF |
| 4. | Aubrey Huff | 1B |
| 5. | Melvin Mora | 3B |
| 6. | Luke Scott | DH |
| 7. | Gregg Zaun | C |
| 8. | Felix Pie | LF |
| 9. | Cesar Izturis | SS |
| Pitching Staff | ||
| 1. | Jeremy Guthrie | R |
| 2. | Koji Uehara | R |
| 3. | Adam Eaton | R |
| 4. | Hayden Penn | R |
| 5. | Rich Hill | L |
| CL | George Sherrill | L |
In: Felix Pie, OF (trade); Ryan Freel, IF/OF (trade); Ty Wigginton, IF (free agency); Cesar Izturis, SS (free agency); Koji Uehara, SP (free agency); Adam Eaton, SP (free agency); Rich Hill, SP (trade); Mark Hendrickson, P (free agency), Gregg Zaun, C (free agency); David Pauley, P (trade)
Out: Ramon Hernandez, C (trade); Kevin Millar, 1B (free agency); Juan Castro, SS (free agent); Jay Payton, OF (free agency); Guillermo Quiroz, C (release); Alex Cintron, IF (free agency); Daniel Cabrera, SP (non-tender); Garrett Olson, SP (trade); Randor Bierd, RP (trade); Fernando Cabrera, RP (release); Adam Loewen, OF (release); Rocky Cherry, RP (release)
Storylines
The Chosen One ...
They might as well set the clock on top of the video scoreboard at Camden Yards to count down to the arrival of Matt Wieters. The catcher, a first-round pick in 2007, is widely regarded as the No. 1 prospect in all of baseball, and why not after his first professional season? Wieters hit .355 with a .454 on-base percentage and 51 extra-base hits across two levels of the minor leagues in 2008. He probably won't start the season in the majors, mainly because the Orioles have no reason to rush him and risk him becoming arbitration eligible in 2011 when there's little to play for this year, but it's only a matter of time.
Start Me Up ...
6.17. 6.36. 5.17. Those were the ERAs of Baltimore starters in July, August and September last season. To say the starting pitching was a bit of a problem down the stretch in 2008 would be the same as saying Shaquille O'Neal struggles every now and again at the free throw line. Unfortunately for the Orioles, there aren't any fewer question marks in the rotation heading into 2009 than there were at the end of 2008. Jeremy Guthrie remains the lone proven starter. Koji Uehara -- the first Japanese player in franchise history -- doesn't figure to be a disaster, and winter trade acquisition Rich Hill has shown flashes of brilliance in the majors before, but manager Dave Trembley is still looking at quite a few holes to patch.
Closing Up Shop ...George Sherrill, one of the several useful chips landed in the Erik Bedard trade two winters ago, was successful for much of 2008 as Baltimore's closer. He racked up 31 saves, but only had one in August and September as he battled a series of minor arm injuries. As the incumbent, Sherrill is going to get the first crack at the job in 2009, but he'll have little room for error. Chris Ray, who is returning from a season lost to injury, Danys Baez and Jim Johnson all have experience in the ninth inning, and even someone like Radhames Liz, with his big fastball, could get a turn as the closer.
Humble Pie ...
Maybe all he needed was a change of scenery. Once a highly touted prospect in Chicago, Felix Pie will try to fulfill some of the potential that had scouts raving about him as he came through the Cubs system after a trade this winter. He's slated to be the everyday left fielder in Baltimore, and, still just 24, there's time for him to blossom. But as exciting as the idea of a defensive outfield with him, Adam Jones and Nick Markakis is, if Pie doesn't hit, he won't be able to keep the job. Ty Wigginton, Ryan Freel, Luke Scott and even prospect Nolan Reimold should give the O's plenty of options if he falters.
2009 Outlook
Why You Should Watch: Because Markakis is the most underrated player in the game, because there will be at least a few future All-Stars in the lineup every night and because Matt Wieters is going to be a revelation that you won't want to miss. If that's not enough, maybe the sight of fans strolling down Eutaw Street in front of the warehouse at Camden Yards on an outrageously humid summer day will be.
What Defines Success: At the big-league level, not finishing in last place would be a big step. That might be a reach, but if the Orioles can get any reliable production from the back of their rotation, they have a chance to overtake a substantially weaker Blue Jays team. Mostly, though, Baltimore needs to focus on keeping its young core intact and producing. Help is on the way in the form of Wieters, Chris Tillman, Brian Matusz, Jake Arrieta, etc. It's up the O's player development machine to get them to the majors in due time.
Related Links
- Fantasy Baseball Preview: Studs of the Future
- Better Know a Prospect: Baltimore Orioles
