Previewing the AL East: Baltimore Orioles

by Travis G on Mar 9, 2010 6:00 PM EST in New York Yankees Analysis

Stacey Long of Camden Chat was nice enough to write a preview of her team. I believe they'll finally get out of last place in the division, not only because Toronto lost Roy Halladay, but because Baltimore has some great, young talent.

The 2010 season promises to be different for the Orioles and their fans than the dozen or so years preceding. Unless things accelerate much faster than anyone anticipates, they won't contend, but vast improvement is certainly on the minds of management, the players, the fans, and the media. Having won just 64 games in 2009 and without a winning season since 1997, the time for improvement is long overdue, but Orioles fans are happy to finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.

The Orioles' off season won't wow anyone as GM Andy MacPhail essentially performed triage on several positions in order to provide structure for the young players on the team to flourish. Starting pitcher Kevin Millwood, 1B Garrett Atkins, closer Mike Gonzalez, and SS turning 3B Miguel Tejada will join (or in Tejada's case, re-join) the Orioles for the 2010 season. Gonzalez was given a two year deal but the other three will be gone after 2010. Millwood should provide some stability to a very young rotation, Gonzalez has established himself as a very reliable bullpen presence, and Atkins and Tejada are acting as placeholders for minor leaguers 3B Josh Bell and 1B Brandon Snyder.

Any real improvement by the Orioles in 2010 and beyond will be the result of the improvement of the young players already in place. Outfielders Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, and Nolan Reimold have potential to be one of the best young outfields in baseball with 4th outfielder Felix Pie providing outstanding defense and a bat with some pop off the bench. The much hyped catcher Matt Wieters stumbled a bit upon his promotion in 2009 but closed the season on a surge and looks poised for a good year in 2010. The infield is still littered with old guys including the aforementioned Atkins and Tejada at the corners, defensive wiz but unfortunately very light hitting Cesar Izturis at SS, and team veteran Brian Roberts at 2B.

The 2009 Orioles had a terrible starting rotation that can only improve in 2010. Millwood will take the reins as the #1 pitcher, pushing 3 year veteran Jeremy Guthrie down a slot. The rest of the rotation will be built with three of the Orioles young pitchers. Brad Bergesen had a very successful rookie campaign in 2009 and will attempt to replicate it in 2010. Bergesen pitches to contact and is a groundball machine, projecting to be a solid mid-to-back of the rotation starter. Brian Matusz is the future ace of the Orioles. He made 8 starts for the O's in 2009, the last of which was a domination of the Yankees in New York, the memory of which has kept Orioles fans warm over the winter. Chris Tillman will be just 22 in 2010 and has good movement on his fastball and a great curve, but he'll have to improve his command if he wants to find success.

If all goes right with the Orioles in 2010 they'll break their 12 year streak of losing seasons and be poised to play with the big boys in 2011. Without the resources to compete with the Yankees and Red Sox financially, the Orioles are banking on the success of their young players, and when the time comes, to use free agency for the final pieces. It's a gamble to be sure, but if it pans out the Orioles will have the core to play competitive baseball for years to come.

Thanks, Stacey. I have no doubt the O's will be tougher this year than any in recent memory.

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Comments

intresing

i think that the rays have a chance to compete for the wildcard this year and next year the orioles will have a chance to compete for it

by Meatface on Mar 9, 2010 6:10 PM EST reply actions

O-No's

I like what the Orioles are doing with their starting pitching and some of their foundation players. Matusz, Roberts, Jones, Markakis and Weiters are solid foundation blocks. While Roberts is abit older he’s solid veteran influence.

I also think Nolan Reimold has a chance to be something special. If the O’s don’t screw this up, they could become very competitive in a year or so. Given some breaks (like moving out of the East), they could compete right now.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Mar 10, 2010 8:57 AM EST reply actions

still not going to win in 2010

The O’s are still a few parts away from wining 82 games. They do have a nice OF, young and talented, but will they take a step back before getting better, maybe. Roberts is one of the most consistent 2B in the game. I think Guthrie benefits sliding down to the #2 but the rest of the SP are very inexperienced. If they all stay together and live up to their potential maybe 2011 with Bell and Snyder

by Rickfansince76 on Mar 10, 2010 9:38 AM EST reply actions

Without the resources to compete with the Yankees and Red Sox financially

Really?

The Orioles have fielded a few $80-$90 million payroll teams over the past decade, when times have been bad. Baltimore is a great baseball town, and I’m sure that if they began putting a competitive team on the field again, the seats would fill up and the Orioles would easily be able to be a top-10 payroll team.

They are NOT the Rays.

by 3460kuri on Mar 10, 2010 2:03 PM EST reply actions

Don't you know

that every team other than the Yankees is a small market team that can only try and compete for a few years before getting bought out??

God, learn something about small market teams already.

This sticker is dangerous and inconvenient, but I do love Fig Newtons.

by Lord Duggan on Mar 10, 2010 4:07 PM EST up reply actions

No, they're not the Rays

They are in a much better position than the Rays financially. They’re not small market, they’re mid market. They can’t afford a $200M payroll and or even $150 (I think the Red Sox 2010 payroll is currently at about $165M). To compete with teams that can they need to build from within. Luckily for them when they get there and only need to add one or two more players they’ll have the money to do so because, like you said, they’re not the Rays.

This just in: adorableness on the rise, family copes with child getting schooled. Film at 11. -daveh873

by Stacey on Mar 10, 2010 4:40 PM EST up reply actions

If I recall, the O’s were in on the bidding for Teixeira, Burnett, Holliday, and wanted to trade for Roy Oswalt a few years ago. They’re not the Yankees or Red Sox, but they’re probably more like the Phillies or Cardinals in terms of payroll ability.

by 3460kuri on Mar 11, 2010 8:39 AM EST up reply actions

Sure.

Per Cots, the Cardinals payroll was about $88M last year, the Phillies about $113M. I’d say that’s a range the Orioles could fit into, especially if they start winning. That’s still about $100M less than the Yankees. In 2010 the Yankees will pay $96M for A-Rod, Sabathia, Jeter, and Burnett. Take those four guys off the team and how much worse would the Yankees be?

I’m really not one of the people who cries poor and says we should all vilify the Yankees for spending that much money. They have the money, they’re not breaking any rules, I’d love to be in the same position. But it is a reality and something the Orioles have to take into account when they’re trying to contend.

This just in: adorableness on the rise, family copes with child getting schooled. Film at 11. -daveh873

by Stacey on Mar 12, 2010 2:04 PM EST up reply actions