After 68 Wins, What's Ahead for the Baltimore Orioles?

Given the free agent market and their available trade bait, the Orioles should have a specific plan going into this winter. I've laid out a list of what I think should be their priorities for the next season.

 

Lock Up the Talent

MacPhail needs to ensure that the O's young talent is going to stay in Baltimore for the foreseeable future. That means extensions for Markakis, Guthrie, and Jones. Markakis and Jones both need to be in Orioles' jerseys for at least the need five or six years, perhaps an even longer deal for Markakis.

Guthrie, as a pitcher, needs to be signed for a three-to-five year deal as well.

Roberts is a more interesting case. He's both the Orioles' best trade bait and the best player on the team. The two-time All Star is 31 and among the elite at second base. He had 50 steals in 2007 (tied for the AL lead), and followed that up with 40 in 2008.

A switch-hitter with a solid average and the ability to hit doubles (and triples) from the lead-off spot make him an incredibly dangerous offensive weapon. He's been with the O's his entire career, and I'd like to see him remain an Oriole.

The O's aren't going to get a better 2B or a better lead-off hitter in return, so I'd like to see Roberts locked up for another three or four years at least, if not the rest of his career.

 

Bolster the Rotation

The O's desperately need better starting pitching. A minimum of two solid starting pitchers should be added via free agency or trades, preferably three. This will enable Sarfate and Albers to return to the bullpen, and for the other pitchers to have time to mature in the minors.

Guthrie will obviously remain in the rotation, and likely will be the ace. Daniel Cabrera should join him as well. Even with his control issues and sporadic performances, he's ability to eat up innings and dominance when he's on hot streaks makes him valuable enough to remain a starter.

If Hayden Penn develops to the point where he can pitch in the majors he would be a welcome addition to the rotation as well, but I won't count on it happening this season.

 

Build for the Future

I don't think anyone thinks that the Orioles are poised to make a serious play-off run in 2009, even if they do land Teixeira, Burnett, and another quality pitcher. Given that, the veteran talent who's contracts are expiring aren't going to do the O's a ton of good in terms of the future.

Huff and Mora are commanding as much value as they ever have, and can probably bring in solid prospects from teams looking for a DH or corner baseman. Mora does have a no trade clause, which might make him hard to move.

The O's should keep Hernandez through the offseason as the starting catcher. Matt Wieters is a stud in waiting, and arguably the best prospect in baseball, but I don't think he's quite ready to start in the majors. Hernandez should hold down the fort and could be solid trade bait around the trade deadline (when Wieters might be ready to jump up to the big time).

With Chris Ray healthy, George Sherill could potentially also be moved to a team in need of a closer and isn't willing to pay for K Rod. He could also be very solid to trade around the deadline. He should only be moved if the O's can get solid value in return.

Luke Scott could find his way to a new team by the end of the 2009 season as well, if Nolan Reimold continues to emerge as a solid outfield prospect. Scott is signed through 2012, so like Sherill, he should only be traded away if the O's can get a decent amount in return.

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