Springwatch #1 Baltimore hoping for 15th time lucky
We can’t wait any longer, it’s officially spring here at UK American Sports Fans. If you’ve beeen understandably preoccupied with Fantasy Football, the NBA, NHL or this Bowl and that Bowl, we’re bringing you 30 teams in 30 days and all you need to know about what’s been happening in the MLB off season.
First up: The Baltimore Orioles
For the Baltimore Orioles, the 2011 season was very much a case of déjà vu all over again as they recorded their 14th consecutive losing season despite a promising start to the Buck Showalter era the previous season. A slew of young pitchers failed to live up to their expectations as they recorded an MLB worst 4.89 ERA and those problems have been addressed, to some degree, with the signings of Nippon Professional Baseball veterans Tsuyoshi Wada and Wei-Yin Chen, both of whom have impressive records in Japan. Meanwhile, the ambitious signings of Vlad Guerrero and Derrek Lee had little impact, with Lee departing for Pittsburgh at the trade deadline. The signing of J.J. Hardy, in a decidedly one-sided trade with Minnesota, was a stroke of genius as he notched a career high 30 homers.
Small changes have been made to the roster for the 2012 season, but the success of the Orioles could depend largely on how quickly Chen and Wada adapt to the Majors as pitching has clearly been the problem at Camden Yards for a good few years. They’ll certainly have their work cut out in the tough ballparks of the AL East, while Jeremy Guthrie was traded to Colorado for Jason Hammel and Matt Lidstrom.
IN : Luis Ayala (RP – N.Y. Yankees), Wilson Betemit (INF – Detroit). Endy Chavez (OF – Texas), Wei-Yin Chen (SP – Chunichi), Dana Eveland (SP – L.A. Dodgers), Armando Galarraga (SP – Arizona), Jason Hammel (SP – Colorado), Matt Lindstrom (RP – Colorado), Jai Miller (OF – Oakland), Pat Neshek (RP – San Diego), Darren O’Day (RP – Texas), Ronny Paulino (C – N.Y. Mets), Antoan Richardson (OF – Atlanta), Dane Sardinha (C – Philadelphia), Taylor Teagarden (C – Texas), Tsuyoshi Wada (SP – Fukuoka)
OUT : Jeremy Accardo (RP), Mitch Atkins (RP – Washington), Jake Fox (C – Pittsburgh), Vladimir Guerrero (DH), Jeremy Guthrie (SP – Colorado), Mark Hendrickson (RP), Kyle Hudson (OF – Texas), Cesar Izturis (INF – Milwaukee), Chris Jakubauskas (SP – Arizona), Felix Pie (OF – Cleveland), Clay Rapada (RP), Jo-Jo Reyes (SP – Pittsburgh), Luke Scott (OF – Tampa Bay), Brandon Snyder (INF – Texas), Rick VandenHurk (SP), Mark Worrell (RP)
Catchers : In Matt Weiters, Baltimore have a very highly rated young catcher who has performed admirably thus far into his career. The 25 year old claimed his first career All-Star appearance and Gold Glove Award in a year in which he hit 22 home runs. Backing him up will be new signing Taylor Teagarden, a weak hitting defensive specialist. Ronny Paulino and Dane Sardinha are massively experienced non-roster invites to Spring Training hoping to catch the eye and earn a contract.
Infielders : The infield is clearly the strong point for the Orioles and they will be hoping that the strong individual performances of 2011 will be repeated. Mark Reynolds is likely to start at first base, having been used mainly at third last season, hitting 37 homers despite a high strikeout count. Free agent acquisition Wilson Betemit could get the job at third. The Orioles will be the veteran’s seventh MLB team. J.J. Hardy and Brian Roberts complete a very impressive infield, though both players have had injury troubles in the past. There is real strength in depth in this area, which may be needed considering the history of injuries. Chris Davis joined mid-season from Texas last year and performed admirably in short spells, while Robert Andino will provide key cover in the middle. Ryan Adams and Josh Bell head a slew of young and inexperienced infielders that also includes Ryan Flaherty, Matt Antonelli and Joe Mahoney who will be called upon should their fragile starters suffer injuries. Former hard hitting National and Yankee infielder Nick Johnson is an intriguing invite, coming off a season in the Minors.
Outfielders : In Nick Markakis and Adam Jones the Orioles have as good an outfield tandem, at the plate, as there is anywhere in the American League, however injury could rule Markakis out for the start of the season. The duo combined for 150 RBIs last term while both men averaged .280+. Jones is yet to replicate his 2009 form that earned him an All-Star appearance and Gold Glove Award, but he has been consistently putting up decent number. In left field there is likely to be a two way race in Spring Training between veteran free-agent signing Endy Chavez and Nolan Reimold. The latter has shown he has some pop, hitting 13 homers as a reserve last year, while Chavez has gained a reputation as a defensive specialist. Depth will be provided by Jai Miller, a youngster with only 29 games in his Major League career.
Designated Hitter : With the departures of Guerrero and Scott, the DH spot seems to belong to everybody. Showalter is likely to rotate, unless someone comes firing out of the blocks from the off. It could well be that the loser in the left field race between Reimold and Chavez gets first shot at the DH job.
Starting Pitchers : Pitching was the key area in which the GM and his staff had to seek improvement, and so they went out and signed two starting pitchers who have put up great numbers in the Japanese League. Tsuyoshi Wada and Wei-Yin Chen will carry a lot on their shoulders, but Chen has had three consecutive seasons with sub 3.00 ERAs (including 1.54 ERA in 2010), while the 30 year old Wada holds a career ERA of 3.13. Jason Hammel arrives to replace Guthrie, but elsewhere, it could be down to whoever performs best during Spring Training. Much has been expected of Brian Matusz, but he went 1-9 with a 10.69 ERA in an injury hit term last year. While no starter had a sub 4.50 ERA last term, Zach Britton was arguably, the most reliable and will likely earn a spot in a very weak rotation. Jake Arrieta will be looking to bounceback from an injury curtailed season that showed early promise while other options include former Oakland starter Dana Eveland although both may be bullpen or Triple-A options. Tommy Hunter and Alfredo Simon are provisionally slated in to start the season in the rotation, barring injuries or spectacular failures in Spring Training. Both have shown they clearly have the ability to perform in the Majors, but the Orioles will be hoping to get more consistency from all of their pitchers. Armando Galarraga, he of ‘imperfect game’ fame is an invitee to Spring Training and a strong showing could earn him a deal.
Relief Pitchers : As with the starting rotation, it appears the policy taken by GM Dan Duquette is one of hoping that if you sign a whole load of options, you’ll be able to assemble something respectable. Kevin Gregg is the biggest name on that list, with 142 career saves, although he did lose his job last year, his first in Baltimore. Jim Johnson took over the role and performed better than Gregg, though it could be up for grabs in Spring Training. Brad Bergesen will assume the long relief role, having started 12 times last season in 34 appearances while Pedro Strop will see time as the lefty specialist, a role in which he thrived after his mid-season trade from Texas and Matt Lindstrom arrives from Colorado following an impressive season. Zach Phillips and Troy Patton impressed last season and will be counted on to play big roles in the bullpen this season while submarine pitcher Darren O’Day and Luis Ayala look like shrewd signings. Chris Tillman and Jason Berken were poor last year but will be relied on for depth, while former Twins teammates Dennys Reyes and Pat Neshek have the ability to earn a contract.
PREDICTION : In a very tough AL East, unfortunately, it’s difficult to see how the Orioles can finish anywhere but fifth place. They certainly aren’t a bad team and have a very solid line-up. Pitching appears to be the main issue, and if the foreign imports fail to succeed, it could be another long, tough season for the Camden Yards faithful.
