Orioles Looking At Veteran Starters

Currently the Baltimore Orioles are going into the 2010 with a promising four-man rotation, with Jeremy Guthrie as the ace and three young guys behind him. The problems are that the guys are all young and it’s also a four-man rotation. The promise those guys bring thou have the Orioles thinking about signing a veteran starting pitcher. One that can mentor the young guys and “eat” some innings.

Orioles’ president Andy MacPhail told Steve Melewski of MASN Sports that the team has some payroll flexibility this year. That would make us believe that the team could easily go after one of the bigger name pitchers out there this off season, i.e. John Lackey or Rich Harden.

"

“We have some flexibility, we are not really saddled with any contracts at this point that we don’t think we are getting production for. So we do think we have some flexibility going forward.”

"

It’s something the Oriole fans have wanted to hear for a while but I’m not sure how much I believe him. He says they were involved in the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes last year, but to the $140 million extent he says I’m not sure.

The fans would love to see a guy like Lackey pairing up with Guthrie. That kind of combination would give them a much better chance of competing with American League East juggernauts. Would it be wise thou? That combination would give them a better chance of competing but still won’t get them close to the Wild Card or Division title.

In my opinion they’d be better off spreading the wealth, go after a middle tier hitter and pitchers of low-risk, high reward. What kind of pitchers would that be? Ben Sheets and Erik Bedard. Two players that the team is actually considering.

"

MacPhail told Melewski, “We would consider them. They would have to be vetted medically. They don’t get excluded from consideration. We recognize there is a risk that goes with it, but if the potential reward is just as great or greater than the risk, it’s something you have to look at. We are in a position where we can consider some risk.”

"

Both of these guys would be perfect for a team like the Orioles. They’d bring veteran leadership and when healthy provide quality starts. And even better, signing guys like these would let the team use their money elsewhere.

Someone like Bedard to me is a perfect fit. In his career at Camden Yards he has a 3.52 ERA with 20-18 record over 56 starts. He’s pitched 329+ innings with 317 strikeouts and only 25 homeruns allowed. Not bad numbers.

He’s got a comfort level in that park and its the place that brought his brief stardom. Could a return trip be what it takes to get him straightened out? Possibly, if he can stay healthy.

The best thing about considering these guys is what MacPhail said, “We are in a position where we can consider some risk.”

For the Orioles to be in a position to take risks again is good for their fans in baseball. When this team is successful Camden Yards becomes one of the best venues. When this team is successful the American League East becomes a much tougher and enjoyable division.

Hopefully MacPhail takes those risks and they work out.