791-989...791-989!
That's the Orioles' record since 1997, the last winning season for the franchise. Only 11 losses (or one more per season) shy of four digits. An average finish of 26.7 games out of first place, and only once (2000) finishing within 20. The Orioles are a mess.
How does this franchise get back on track? This offseason is going to go a long way into showing what the direction of the franchise will be. Will the franchise finally embark on the true rebuilding process it began last year?
Or will it break out the big money and chase down some big-name free agents? Whatever the direction, the road ahead will not be smooth. The Orioles simply don't have the players to immediately return to the top, even if they add some blue chip free agents.
The trades of Erik Bedard and Miguel Tejada last year were the first big moves into rebuilding the Orioles. Unfortunately, they left some pretty massive holes in the lineup, holes that will be hard to ignore this offseason. So to start out, we'll look at what the Orioles need.
NEEDS
The starting rotation is horrendous. Aside of Jeremie Guthrie, none of the regular starters had an ERA under 5.25. The young pitching talent never really panned out, and it left Baltimore to play catch-up in far too many games.
While this strategy actually worked at the beginning of the season, while the Orioles bullpen was dominant and healthy, it's not a plan for long-term, or even season long, success.
Shortstop is the giant hole in the Orioles infield. They lacked a real starter in 2008, instead opting for Alex Cintron, Freddie Bynum, Brandon Fahey, Juan Castro, and Luis Hernandez to all see significant time over the season.
None of them performed very well, with Cintron performing the best at the plate (.276 BA), but struggling in the field (seven errors and only a .953 FLD%). After Ripken and Tejada anchored the lineup from shortstop for the past two decades, it feels awkward for the O's to be in such dire need.
With Kevin Millar a free-agent, Baltimore is in need of either a corner infielder, or a DH. Last year's DH, silver slugger Aubrey Huff, can play both first and third base as well and could find himself as a regular starter at either position.
The team's 2008 leader in errors, Melvin Mora, could potentially move to DH if the O's decide to add a new 3B or turn the reigns over to Oscar Salazar. Ultimately, another body, especially a stronger defensive player, would be very helpful.
SURPLUSES
Believe it or not, there is one area where the O's are overflowing with talent—veterans with only one year left on their contract. Huff, Mora, Roberts, and Ramon Hernandez are all on their final year of their contracts.
Huff and Mora may have both saved their careers with brilliant seasons at the plate in 2008, and their value probably isn't going to increase much higher than it is now, especially given how Tejada and Bedard were unloaded last year, it would not surprise me to any of these players traded before the season starts and/or during the season.
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about 1 month ago
see my piece on the O's.
Also, I agree on locking up Jones, Markakis, and Gutherie, but Burnett is actually a AR native. His wife is from MD.
I don't understand why the O's are even considering trading Scott or Shierill, epecially Sherill. I realize selling high but he's the best closer this team has had since Randy Myers and that isn't saying much.
Good points on the sooner Sabathia signs, the clearer it will be what the Yankees are able to do. I don't see Teixeira going to the Sox as they are overloaded with depth. If Tex goes to BOS. where does Lowell play since Youkalis will move to 3B?
It would make more sense for Tex on the Yanks since the Yanks dis-interest in bringing back Giambi, which I think is a big mistake as you don't just kick 32 HR and 96 RBI out the door, leaves a gap for him either at DH or more likely @ 1st where Giambi played.
But if I were Tex and I didn't want to risk finishing 4th in the division by going home, the Angels have 1st place locked up for the next 5 years at least and once you make the playoffs anything can happen.
I'd be more interested in seeing what the O's do @ short, rumors of a trade for Khalil Greene, Bobby Crosby, or Izturis may be in the works. It would be a start and interesting to see which salary would be shed.
about 1 month ago
Good catch on AJ Burnett actually being from Arkansas.
As for Boston's interest in Tex, I don't understand it much either. But they have contacted Boras and are rumored to be willing to give a huge offer. My theory is that they'll trade away Lowell or Youk (probably Lowell) to get a catcher to replace Varitek. Even if they resign Varitek, they'll likely pursue one of Texas' catchers to be a back-up and future replacement for Varitek.
As for trading Sherill, I'd see it more likely happening around the trade deadline rather than during the off-season. While he's been solid, he's not exactly a stud closer. He can't pitch on back-to-back days, nor does he have a wide variety of pitches. More importantly, Chris Ray is healthy again, and he can take over the closer duties.
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