Baltimore Orioles
2010 Record: 66-96
613 RS, 785 RA, Pythagorean Record: 61-101
Manager: Buck Showalter
GM: Andy McPhail
Free Agents:
Jeremy Accardo, RP (1, $1.08MM); Vladimir Guerrero, DH (1, $8MM); Cesar Izturis, SS (TBD); Derrek Lee, 1B (1, $7.25MM); Koji Uehara, RP (1O, $3MM; $4MM V)
Minor League FA:
Mitch Atkins, P; Michael Ballard, P; Nick Bierbrodt, P; Zach Booker, C; Alberto Castillo, P; Jose Diaz, P; Adam Donachie, C; Ryan Drese, P; Jeff Fiorentino, OF; Armando Gabino, P; Joe Gaetti, OF; Chris George, P; Nick Green, SS; Mark Hendrickson, P; Michel Hernandez, C; James Houser, P; Chris Jakubauskas, P; Steve Lerud, C; Clay Rapada, P; Austin Rauch, 1B; David Riske, P; Raul Rivero, P; Carlos Rojas, SS; Josh Rupe, P; Will Startup, P; Randy Winn, OF; Mark Worrell, P.
Rule V Pick:
Adrian Rosario, P (Brewers)
Trades:
Received J.J. Hardy (SS) and Brendan Harris (3B) from the Twins for Jim Hoey (P) and Brett Jacobson (P); Received Mark Reynolds (3B) from the Diamondbacks for David Hernandez (P) and Kam Mickolio (P).
Waiver Claims:
None
Players Lost:
Matt Albers, RP; Justin Anderson, P; Cory Ast, P; Michael Aubrey, 1B; Jose Barajas, P; Luiyi Batista, P; T.J. Baxter, 1B; Pedro Beato, P; Phillip Britton, C; Dustin Carder, P; Levi Carolus, 3B; Omar Casamayor, 2B; Edwin Cintron, OF; Jairo de la Cruz, P; Andy Deain, P; Brad Decater, SS; Jose Duran, P; Patrick Egan, P; Janensis Guerrero, C; Joel Guzman, 1B; Preston Hale, 1B; D.D. Hanks, P; Mike Hinckley, P; Andrew Huebner, P; Travis Keating, P; Xavier Lopez, C; Julio Lugo, SS; Frank Mata, P; Mick Mattaliano, P; Bob McCrory, P; Blake Mechaw, P; Jaynnertt Melenciano, OF; Cla Meredith, RP; Jim Miller, P; Kevin Millwood, SP; Andy Mitchell, P; Lou Montanez, OF; Scott Moore, 3B; Zach Moore, SS; Brian Parker, P; Corey Patterson, OF; Wilfrido Perez, P; Josh Perrault, P; Rolando Petit, C; Thomas Phelps, P; Eiris Ramirez, P; Jesse Rasner, P; Jean Carlos Reyes, P; David Rivera, OF; Jeff Salazar, OF; Bruno Sanchez, P; Javier Santana, SS; Dennis Sarfate, RP; Greyson Schram, C; Tyler Sexton, P; Tyler Tampone, 3B; Jonathan Tucker, OF; Matt Tucker, 3B; Jason White, SS; Ty Wigginton, 3B.
Draft Picks from Free Agents Lost: 0
Top 15 Prospects
1. Manny Machado, SS
2. Zach Britton, LHP
3. Xavier Avery, OF
4. L.J. Hoes, 2B
5. Dan Klein, RHP
6. Wynn Pelzer, RHP
7. Mychal Givens, SS
8. Ryan Adams, 2B
9. Matt Hobgood, RHP
10. Ryan Berry, RHP
11. Jonathan Schoop, SS
12. Brandon Erbe, RHP
13. Brandon Snyder, 1B
14. Parker Bridwell, RHP
15. Robert Bundy, RHP
Much like the major league club, the minor league system needs some work. A lot of their top prospects that don’t make the majors end up fizzing out – see Billy Rowell, Brandon Erbe, Brandon Snyder, etc. At least Machado and Britton don’t look like that — yet.
2010 Review:
What can be said about the 2010 Orioles that hasn’t been said in the last 10 years?
The team was not very good, as they haven’t been able to draw in free agent talent. They did begin integrating some of their younger pitchers; by the end of the season, Brian Matusz looked fairly decent (his 4.30 ERA was almost a full run higher in mid-August).
Adam Jones showed his 2009 breakout was the real deal; his average saw an increase and he played a career high 149 games. Luke Scott continued to be one of the best players no one notices; he hit 27 homers while increasing his average by 26 percentage points.
Nick Markakis, on the other hand continued to slide. His average stayed in the same range as the previous 2 seasons, but his power numbers continued to drop (20 homers in 2008, to 18 in ’09, to 12 last year). That’s an obvious concern since the team is building around him and Jones.
2011 Preview:
I’d say it’s much of the same for Baltimore. Adding J.J. Hardy almost negates the loss of Ty Wigginton; Wigginton’s versatility is nice to have. Mark Reynolds is a nice addition and will be around for a while.
Derrek Lee is the prime example of Oriole signings; they signed the guy too late. Lee is a shell of his former player and they wouldn’t have been able to attract him at his prime. Vladimir Guerrero is in the same boat; his 2010 season was nice but I think that had more to do with playing at the Ballpark at Arlington.
From the Bloggers:
Maryland Orioles’ Fan, The Oriole Post: The Baltimore Orioles have been revamped for 2011 with new veteran additions – Derrek Lee, Vladmir Guerrero, Mark Reynolds, Justin Duschererer, Kevin Gregg, J.J. Hardy, and Jeremy Accardo – plus a mix of mainstays hope to become competitive in the American League East. General Manager Andy MacPhail has spent the last several seasons rebuilding the organization from top to bottom; therefore, this year he wants to start winning and resurrect a franchise that has become moribund.
With Brian Roberts healthy coming into the camp, plus with Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, Matt Wieters and Luke Scott, Jeremy Guthrie getting ready for the season, the revamped Orioles under manager Buck Showalter will look to continue the success they had in the second half of last season.
Whether or not the new additions to Orioles will be viable for 2011 – only time will tell; however, this fact remains: The Orioles will not improve, or much less reach .500 without the younger pitchers stepping it up.
If Jake Arrieta, Brad Bergesen and Brian Matusz can replicate the same numbers they had once Buck Showalter showed up last season, plus if the bullpen and defense can remain solid, Baltimore will improve. Until then, it matters very little if they bring in Vladmir Guerrero, Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols. It’s all about the arms and making sure you score more runs than the other team.
The Orioles may not challenge the Red Sox, Yankees or Rays for supremacy in the American League East – much more a playoff, but for the first time in a long time, things are looking up.
Prediction:
5th Place.