For the most part the starting rotation is set, the lineup is about 85% complete, but one major problem is, once agian, going to be the bullpen. We will start the year, for the first time, without George Sherrill. That pits Jim Johnson at closer obviously but leaves the 8th inning open.

Now lets look at who else wont be with the team in '010. The contract of Danys Baez runs out after this year, and following a 6.44 ERA year, with a whole year out, and another year with an ERA over four its doubtful the O's will resign him again after Flanagan et al blew 19 million dollars on him. 

Koji Uehara will be back and after a year filled with injury and just 66 innings pitched. Last week MASN reported that this year if rehab goes well he will end up in the bullpen. A spot that we will most likely see him in next year. The only question is will he be long relief, or more of a 6th, 7th inning guy. I would imagine that we would see him as a guy who can come in a pitch 2 or 3 really good innings. Marky Mark Hendrickson will most likely not return, at 35 he holds a 5 career ERA and has been solid out of the pen, put in his last 10 outings his ERA has gone up 40 points.

Chris Ray has had injury problems abound lately but i really believe that in these final two months he will prove to be valuable in next years bullpen equation. They dont have an option on him this year but I can see if he does well then the O's could sign him to another one year deal with an option. He has pitched 5 scoreless innings since coming off the DL. I think next year he could find himself as a 7th inning match up guy who comes in to face a right handed hitter. I really like what I've seen and I think we will see more of Chris Ray. 

That brings us to Cla Meredith who i see as an 8th inning guy. He has a unique look for hitters and since being acquired he has allowed 2 runs in 8 innings. The 26 year old has a career 3.45 ERA and for sure fits into future bullpen plans for Baltimore. Expect to see Jim Johnson signed to a two or three year deal in the off season, and unless they sign someone else, he should start the year in the closer role. 

I don't really see the return of Matt Albers in the future, as he has gone 2-4 with a 4.89 ERA padding his 5 career ERA. Unless the O's really need a long relief guy I wouldn't bring Albers back. In 49 innings last year his ERA was over a point bigger, but in double the innings in '07 he had a nearly 6 era. They may bring him back, but I see him as a short leash guy. Dennis Sarfate is in rehab and will be re-evaluated soon. He struggled in just 12 innings this year and has yet to really prove himself. The 29 year olds contract is up this year and I wouldn't be surprised to see him singed to a minor league deal.

The 27 year old Brian Bass holds a 4.39 ERA and will probably return to the long relief role although in his career his ERA has never been below 4.70. I don't think Alberto Castillo will make an appearance next year. Jason Berken is an interesting case as he doesn't really fit into the rotation,so they may pick him over Bass. David Hernandez as well might see himself in the bullpen next year.

I would love to see Kam Mickolio in the pen next year, I think that he has proven himself in the Majors and there should be room for him to be a middle innings guy. The one thing this pen lacks is a shut down lefty. From within the organization, there is Wilfredo Perez. He is 24 years old, he is a good strikeout guy and has pitched well in the minors leading to a 2.37 ERA and about a K per IP in AA. Then there is Tony Butler, just 21, picked up from the Berdard deal. He has a 3.38 ERA in the rookie league, so we wont see him next year. But keep an eye out for him.

Other lefties include Waters and Patton, don't expect to see Waters, maybe Patton could work in the bullpen but I highly doubt it. That leaves Andy with the need to go out and get a lefty after Walker failed us this year.

Other Players to note: Jim Hoey Former minor league pitcher of the year. He struggled in the Majors he underwent surgery in '08, started this year in AA and has a 3.72 ERA. Jim Miller was a AAA all-star this year. Bob McCrory, 27, gave up 5 runs in 5 IP this year in the majors, probably wont see him again.

EDIT: Linking my sources: www.baseballcube.com, www.espn.com

and I think I just broke the "One fanpost per day rule"