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2015 Fringe: Matusz, Lough, Webb

2015 Fringe: Matusz, Lough, Webb

Much of the reason for the recent success of the Orioles lies in their ability to find the fringe players, and most importantly, how to fit them into the system. Dan Duquette has been masterful in using some unconventional ways to find talent, whether through the Rule 5 draft (think Ryan Flaherty), claiming players off waivers (think Darren O'Day), or looking under the rock that no one thought to look (think Miguel Gonzalez). There's been a number of them in the last three to four years; Alejandro De Aza, Nate McLouth, Brad Brach, the list goes on and on. Let's focus on a few players that don't get the attention, and why 2015 needs to be their year.

Brian Matusz: As a first round pick in the 2008 draft, Matusz has been a bit of a disappointment since joining the big club. Converted from starter to a middle relief role midway through the 2012 season, he just hasn't found the success that his fellow classmates Chris Tillman or Zach Britton have recently found. Most of his late work in 2014 came as a lefty specialist, especially after the O's went out and got lights-out reliever Andrew Miller down the stretch. His numbers the last few seasons haven't been anything to scoff at though, posting 3.53 and 3.48 ERAs, respectively, averaging 51 innings the last two years. But middle relief was not the O's intent when they took him fourth overall. There's something to be said about the pressure of performance though, and Matusz has about all the pressure there could be put on a player for the 2015 season. With the addition of Wesley Wright making a modest $1.7 million this year to Matusz's $3.2 million, and to be used in a similar capacity, payroll flexibility may not be in the latter's favor. Out of options and with two years left on his contract, Matusz could find himself the odd man out to be shipped elsewhere, with that ever-improving O's bullpen.

2015 consensus: Traded at Deadline


David Lough: "He was as good statistically as a player that we had the second half of the season," manager Buck Showalter said. "I think he's got another level he can go to. I'm excited about him. Obviously when you look at him, he's a very young bodied guy." Often overlooked in the outfield during 2014, Lough brings versatility, well-above average defense in all three spots, and most importantly for a team that has struggled the last few years in an important category, speed. Fully healthy entering this spring after an early concussion last season, Lough will be fighting for a spot in one of the corner positions. With the recent addition of Travis Snider, the emergence of Steve Pearce and De Aza, the space is limited out there. Another possible trade candidate this season, Lough could conversely prove to be an extremely important piece of the puzzle and find himself a full time job. His emergence with the bat after the all-star break last year could be his ticket, as he is one of the best defensive outfielders on the team, he has little to worry in that regard. Throw out the early struggles with the bat last year, and Lough has been trending upward the past two seasons. He posted top 10 numbers in ROY voting in 2013 with KC, and hit to a .351 clip after the 2014 All-Star break. Showalter, always a fan of defense and preparation, also has high hopes for Lough. "He's got a chance to be a late bloomer...Great shape, very committed to doing the things he's got to do to be ready. He's a piece." Given that opportunity, Lough could find himself more than just a piece this season.
2015 consensus: Under team control until 2020, Lough's contract keeps him as a valuable fourth outfielder with potential to become an everyday starter and he remains with the club

Ryan Webb: Another middle relief arm in the log jam that is the O's bullpen, Webb could also find himself amongst trade talks this year. With one year left on his contract, Webb needs to throw better than his league average 3.83 ERA and 101 ERA+ that he recorded in his 2014 season, which found him optioned to Norfolk down the second half. Webb, however, has a bit of a longer track record of success than both Matusz and Lough, which should prime him for a return to normalcy. Averaging just under 60 innings a year for the past 5 seasons, he has shown his durability down that stretch. He's also thrown two sub 3.00 ERA seasons during that span. The righty Webb could find himself once again on the fringe behind the late 2014 success of Tommy Hunter, the emergence of Brad Brach, and the ever-consistent work of Darren O'day. His own return to consistency could be crucial to a packed O’s pen entering 2015. Webb needs to show a little bit more stability to stay in the pen this year, but as all O's fans know, too many good arms is not always a bad problem to have.

2015 consensus: Webb returns to his 2012-2013 form and flourishes in the middle of the bullpen
These are just three of the pieces that need to contribute should the Orioles continue to flourish. Always a fan of friendly team competition, it should be interesting to watch how Buck chooses his 25 when camp breaks. No doubt he will use the shuttle system between Baltimore and Norfolk that has brought him his recent success, but with several of those players now out of options, the O's could be looking at a few more trades this year than in season's past. Mostly quiet during the offseason, it's been the unique dynamic between Buck and Duquette during the regular season that has been yielding the results. No doubt 2015 will be no different.


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