4 Positions with Potential New Starters for the Baltimore Orioles in 2015
Fans of the Baltimore Orioles are anxiously awaiting October 2, the start of the American League Division Series round of the playoffs.
Last week, the Orioles clinched their first AL East title in 17 years, and there hasn't been a buzz like this in Birdland in a long, long time.
This final week before the playoffs start could be a long one for fans of the Orioles, and it'll be hard to stay entertained with the final games of the regular season meaning virtually nothing to the O's outside of pride.
With that said, let's look ahead to the offseason, as the O's will be a team with a lot to do and many questions to face this winter. There are multiple guys who are at the end of their current contracts, and it'll be interesting to see what happens between them and the team.
There could be a number of new faces on the 2015 Opening Day lineup card for the O's.
First Base
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Chris Davis has been a major disappointment in 2014, to say the least.
After bashing 53 homers last season and receiving a major payday ($10.35 million for the 2014 season), Davis hit under .200 this year with just 26 home runs.
To make matters worse, Davis was hit with a 25-game suspension for amphetamines with just 17 games left in the regular season, meaning he'll miss the O's first eight postseason games as well, should the team advance.
With the 2014 season being such a bust for Davis, it's possible that the O's non-tender the slugger come this winter.
He still presents value both offensively and defensively as well as in the clubhouse, but he'd have to take a pay cut in order to stick with the O's, as they have a capable first base option in Steve Pearce as well as a prospect in Christian Walker.
I believe that Davis will be an Oriole come next season, but it's definitely possible that he won't be. The team's decision on him will be one of the most interesting of the winter.
Right Field
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Of all the guys who could possibly not be O's next year, right fielder Nick Markakis is the one who I believe has the lowest chance of winding up elsewhere.
Markakis will be coming off a six-year, $66.1 million deal that he, quite frankly, didn't live up to. Markakis is a good fielder and has a great batting eye, routinely posting the highest OBP on the club, but he didn't hit for near as much power and run production as the team originally thought he would when it inked him to that deal.
However, Markakis' value is highest in the locker room. He's been a team leader since he established himself in the bigs around 2006-07, and his quiet, lead-by-example approach is well-respected within the O's organization.
Markakis is a fan favorite as well as a favorite of owner Peter Angelos, so to be honest, I expect that he won't be going anywhere this offseason. He obviously won't be brought back for near as much as the deal he's coming off of was worth, but he'll be back.
On the off chance that he's not, though, the O's could go with Pearce, David Lough or Alejandro De Aza in right field, and fans could even see minor leaguer Mike Yastrzemski in right field at Camden Yards at some point next season.
Designated Hitter
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From the man who I believe is most likely to return to the man who I believe is least likely.
The O's signed Nelson Cruz to a one-year, $8 million deal in February.
All Cruz has done since then is hit round-trippers. An MLB-leading 40 of them, to be exact.
Cruz's contract has been an incredible steal for the O's, but when the playoffs end and the hot stove season begins, they'll be faced with the difficult decision of whether to go all-in and re-sign the slugger.
After such a prolific offensive season, Cruz is almost certain to get a huge contract from someone looking for offense. And he's worked for it and deserves it.
On the flip side, though, Cruz is a defensive liability in the outfield and will be 35 years of age midway through the 2015 season. Would it be wise for the O's to sign an aging, defensively challenged hitter to a lucrative multiyear contract?
If the O's decide to let Cruz walk, the team could target free-agent DH options such as Billy Butler or Victor Martinez, who will likely come cheaper than Cruz would. Or the team could turn to internal options, such as Pearce, Davis (should he remain an Oriole) and bringing back outfielder Delmon Young.
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Shortstop
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More of an under-the-radar decision, whether to bring back J.J. Hardy could be one of the most important decisions the team has to make this winter.
Coming off a three-year contract, Hardy has been one of the best shortstops in the majors during that time period. He's won a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger, and I don't think anyone would argue that the $22.25 million deal the O's had him signed to was a bargain for the club.
Hardy is coming off a down year offensively, as he has hit just nine homers this season after posting 22 or more each of the last three years. He does have a solid .273 average, though, and his 27 doubles and 52 RBI are respectable numbers, especially from a shortstop who is strong defensively.
The O's would certainly like to keep a player as solid as Hardy, and a good starting point for a new contract would be the one that Hardy is coming off of.
The question is whether the team would like to move on from Hardy and insert young third baseman Manny Machado back into the shortstop hole, his natural position. There could be some skepticism when it comes to that plan, though, as Machado has had knee surgery for the second straight season. It may not be wise for the team to move him back to a more demanding position range-wise.
If the O's aren't able to retain Hardy, they could turn their attention to free agents Jed Lowrie and Asdrubal Cabrera. Current Oriole Ryan Flaherty is also an option, but his offensive production may not be enough to justify playing him every day, and his defensive capability makes him valuable in his current super-utility role.
The O's decision on Hardy will definitely be worth keeping an eye on this offseason.
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