30 in 30: Baltimore Orioles
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Baltimore Orioles
2012 – Finished second in AL East. Lost in AL Division Series
Record: 93-69
The Baltimore Orioles surpassed everyone’s expectations, including their own. They hadn’t made post season since 1997 where subsequent seasons were losing records. Even more impressive was that they finished bottom of the AL East with a poor 69-93 record.
By making the playoffs, the Orioles were truly a wild card and was demonstrated by downing the Texas Rangers. The Rangers had been shocked by the A’s pipping them to the divisional title from 13 games back but the Orioles impressed none the less. A matchup with the Yankees, in the ALDS, did prove a bridge too far.
The AL East division is getting a difficult division to get out of. All 5 teams are competitive on the whole and all looking to mix it up this year with trades. The Orioles have a chance to make the playoffs again but I doubt they will. This isn’t because they are going backwards but more likely that others are going forwards.
INCOMINGS
C Luis Martinez – Waivers (TEX)
3B Danny Valencia – Trade (BOS)
IF Alexi Casilla – Waivers (MIN)
IF/OF Russ Canzler – Waivers (NYY)
IF/OF Yamaico Navarro – Trade (PIT)
OF Trayvon Robinson – Trade (SEA)
RHP Todd Redmond – Waivers (CIN)
OUTGOINGS
1B Joe Mahoney – Waivers (MIA)
1B Mark Reynolds – Free Agent (CLE)
IF Robert Andino – Trade (SEA)
IF Omar Quintanilla – Free Agent (NYM)
IF/OF Bill Hall – Free Agent (LAA)
OF Endy Chavez – Free Agent (KC)
RHP Jhondaniel Medina – Trade (PIT)
LHP T.J. McFarland – Rule 5 (CLE)
LHP Joe Saunders – Free Agent (SEA)
Outfielders
The big debate at Left Field is whether Nate McLouth or Nolan Reimold will get the starting position. McLouth has more experience and a .268 batting average in 2012. Reimold, at 2 years younger, batted at .313 last year albeit over 16 games to McLouth’s 55. It will be interesting to see if his neck surgery, that ended his season, to repair a ruptured disk has been successful.
Nick Markakis couldn’t back up his 2011 Golden Glove win because of injury. However, a .298 batting average and 13 home runs was a healthy contribution. It was in Centre Field that the Orioles would find a shining light. Adam Jones earned himself a contract extension worth $85.5 million along with a All Star appearance, Golden Glove award plus winning the Most Valuable Oriole award for the second season running. The 2013 season will partly hinge on Jones’s form in defending the field along with at least replicating the 32 home runs of last season.
Infielders
Not to be outdone by Adam Jones, J.J. Hardy also picked up a Golden Glove award last season. The Short Stop turned in a .992 fielding percentage but did lose some points on his batting average.
First Baseman Chris Davis would have been disappointed for the season to end because his bat was smoking hot. He led the Orioles in home runs, hit his first career grand slam and finished the regular season with homer in 6 consecutive games. Not a bad return for the Orioles on his $488,000 salary.
The position of 2nd Base seems to be the Orioles weak link as regular Brian Roberts constantly struggles with injury. Last season, he only made 17 games with a poor .182 batting average. He is recovering from hip surgery which may give Ryan Flaherty more opportunity to cement his place. Flaherty batted at .216 last year and posted .989 fielding percentage at 2nd base. He found himself playing in 8 different positions last season.
2013 will be the year for Manny Machado to claim ‘third’ as his own, and have a successful run in the Orioles team. At 20 years old, he has plenty of talent as was shown in the 51 games last year. Described as being “a potential All-Star offensively who is no worse than average with the glove”, Machado will look for add to his .262 career batting average.
Catchers
Matt Wieters is a consistent performer at a high standard and will undoubtedly do that in 2013. He added to his 2011 All Star appearance but also added another Golden Glove to list of achievements. A slight dip in batting average doesn’t diminish his ability.
Backing up Wieters, is double Olympic medallist Taylor Teagarden. Teagarden, at 29, will be aware of his subservient role at the Orioles and his batting average on .211 doesn’t inspire.
Starters
Jason Hammel will lead the way on the mound for the Orioles. His 8-6 record belies a pitcher who managed 113 strikeouts in his 20 games last season.
Wei-Yin Chen, a leftie, commands the number two position. The Taiwanese pitcher debuted in 2012 and recorded 1 12-11 record with an ERA of 4.02. The Orioles will fully expect Chen to improve on his numbers in 2013. Chris Tillman started 2012 in the minors but a recall showed a rejuvenated pitcher and finished 9-3 on the season. If Chen doesn’t increase performances, Tillman could well become the man to watch in the Orioles pitching rotation.
Miguel Gonzalez delivered a 9-4 record from 18 games last season and must be considered a possibility for more starts in 2013.
2011 All Star Jair Jurrjens could possibly take the last place in the rotation. Having been with the Braves since 2006, Jurrjens was signed to a minor league contract by the Orioles.
Relievers
Ace closer Jim Johnson had 51 saves last season and will be needed again to maintain the Orioles position. Can he reproduce his form where he was an All Star, finished 7th in the AL Cy Young voting and 14th in the AL MVP voting? He will need support from pitchers such as Pedro Strop, Darren O’Day, Troy Patton, Luis Ayala, Brian Matusz and Tommy Hunter. Matusz is the most likely candidate to make the starting rotation.
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