FanPost

Yet Another Typical Orioles Offseason


The winter meetings have concluded and the Orioles lead the same roster they had going into the meetings, excluding some big names from 2014. The heart and soul of the team, Nick Markakis, took on a four year deal from the Braves. And hey, hats off to Atlanta for paying him that much. I sure wouldn't have. I like Nick, but I think we can find a contact bat and a good glove combination either within our organization or in free agency. Next, Nelson Cruz joined what looks like a promising Mariners club. He'll join Robinson Cano and the youngster Kyle Seager in the middle of that lineup. Lastly, Andrew Miller took the money bait. The Yankees threw him the most money a setup man has every seen. But instead of looking at what we don't have, let's take a look at what we do have.

Starting Pitchers: Chris Tillman, Ubaldo Jimenez, Wei-Yin Chen, Miguel Gonzalez, Kevin Gausman, Bud Norris, and potentially Dylan Bundy.

No complaints here. This staff led our O's to a AL East Division Championship and that means a lot. Of course, the 2015 AL East won't be the same as the 2014 AL East. But I have no doubts that this staff can win us 90 games.

In the pen: Darren O'Day, Brian Matusz, TJ Macfarland, Tommy Hunter, Wesley Wright, Ryan Webb and the horse Zach Britton

Britton took on a tough challenge in 2014 and was arguably the best closer the in American League. I can only see him improving. We added a lefty in Wright, and we'll get the same consistency as always from Hunter and O'Day.

Catchers: Matt Wieters, Caleb Joseph, Steve Clevenger, and Mike Ohlman

Wieters should be ready for Spring Training, and if not, I'm still not very worried about him. He will be ready for Opening Day. I really wish they would give Clevenger the opportunity he has definitely earned. He tore it up during his short stint with the O's and I love his swing. Caleb Joseph is without a doubt a better defensive catcher but as we all know, THE O'S HIT. And that's what I think we need to ride with.

Infielders: Chris Davis, Jonathon Schoop, Ryan Flaherty, Manny Machado, JJ Hardy, Christian Walker, and Jimmy Parades.

Crush will be back. Schoop gained close to a full year of experience and reminds me a lot of AJ. No complaints with Machado and Hardy as long as they can give me 140 games.

Outfielders: David Lough, Adam Jones, Steve Pearce, Alejandro De Aza, and Quintin Berry.

THIN. We need to pick up an outfielder. Honestly, I don't really care who it is. Make it cheap. Bring Reimold back? Sign Ichiro to sell some tickets and jerseys? Doesn't bother me. Our three starters are in the list above.

Here's my projected 2015 lineup for our O's:

1. Alejandro De Aza RF

2. Manny Machado 3B

3. Adam Jones CF

4. Chris Davis 1B

5. Matt Wieters C

6. Steve Pearce DH

7. JJ Hardy SS

8. Jonathon Schoop 2B

9. David Lough LF

Opening Day Rotation: Tillman, Chen, Norris, Gausman, Jimenez

Here's a wild thought... The O's have received a lot of interest in Wei-Yin Chen. I say we trade him for a quality hitter and slot Pearce in right and have Lough come off the bench to pinch run and eat innings off the bench. The Phillies have offered us a package deal of Marlon Byrd and Ryan Howard but we didn't bite. I don't like that too much either but those two guys hit dingers... and we play in a hitters park.

Go Birds

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