Major Subtraction: NONE!
See above.
5. Baltimore Orioles
Just because I have the Orioles ranked as the fifth best team in the division does not mean I do not like this team. The club finally has a direction and it is a fairly strong one.
The Minor League system is developing and the core of young players is impressive. The Tejada and Bedard trades have supplied the team with a surplus of arms and a future superstar. Moving Brian Roberts is next on the agenda and presumably is only a matter of time away.
The rotation is youthful and has a nice amount of potential. Watching the kids warm up, one would want this starting five over any one else’s.
Jeremy Guthrie throws hard and he keeps it in the strike zone. I do not believe last year scratched the surface on the once-top prospect's potential.
Additionally, how long is it before Daniel Cabrera figures things out? When he is on, good contact is nearly impossible to make. The problem is, he is rarely on and his time with the Orioles has to be running out.
Cross your fingers Orioles fans. Watch out for Adam Loewen!
My boy Fernando Cabrera seems to have the Cabrera bug—outstanding stuff, terrible pitcher. Once upon a time, he had the biggest swing and miss ratio in the league.
The rest of the bullpen is pieced together—some expensive parts, other youngsters with that "P" word. James Hoey is one of those guys with potential. After a spectacular minor league career, he has become extremely hittable and less capable of striking hitters out. In other words, this isn’t a terrible bullpen; rather, it’s one that is perfectly suited for a club like this.
Offensively the Orioles have all but given up for 2008. If and when Brian Roberts gets traded, this will be an outstanding team to match up with in fantasy leagues.
There is hope for the future though. Between Nick Markakis and Adam Jones the Orioles have the highest potential outfield in the majors. Luke Scott should also turn some heads and allow people to realize that the Tejada trade was more then just a salary dump.
Breakout Candidate: Adam Loewen
I am confident the Orioles teach their minor leaguers to MISS the broadside of the barn. In fact, I would love to see some Pitch FX data to see exactly how far out of the zone Loewen works.
That said, I expect the 24 year old to begin making strides toward stardom in 2008.
Major Addition: Adam Jones
PECOTA projects Jones to be nearly as good in 2008 as in 2014. He has all the tools in the world and the Mariners will regret trading him away as soon as the 2009 season.
All that being said, Jones is already better then what the Orioles had in 2007, so that is a step in the right direction.
Major Subtraction: Not getting rid of Kevin Millar
There is no reason Millar should still be with the club. There were ample options available in the free agent market—young hitters with decent potential.
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