2009 Season Preview: Baltimore Orioles

Coming off a 68-93 season, the Baltimore Orioles look to improve. In all likelihood, they will not win the American League East division, but that is not the focus of the Orioles right now; they want to build a future and are doing so quickly.

Losing Daniel Cabrera has been one sign of the rebuilding mode the O’s are in. There have been constant rumors over the past few years about the Orioles trading second baseman Brian Roberts, but nothing has happened yet, nor does a trade seem imminent. The Cubs, supposed suitors of Roberts, made a different trade during the offseason by sending pitcher Rich Hill to Baltimore in exchange for a player to be named later.

The Orioles will enter the season with a talented offense that included Roberts, Luke Scott, Nick Markakis, Aubrey Huff, Melvin Mora, and now Matt Wieters, a rookie catcher. There is little the O’s can change to improve their offense (maybe left field, but that is minor).

But the real problems the Orioles face are at pitcher. They have a lot of talent in the minor leagues at pitcher with Charles Tillman, Brian Matusz, Jake Arrieta, and Troy Patton. But for now, they are stashed away for the future.

Instead of rushing them to the show, the O’s will have to settle with Jeremy Guthrie, Koji Uehara (from Japan), Chris Waters, Rich Hill, and Radhames Liz. None of those pitchers have an earned run average below 3.60.

The Baltimore bullpen may also struggle a lot as well. Closer George Sherrill had injury problems toward the end of 2008 and had to be placed on the disabled list for a time. Jamie Walker’s 6.87 ERA and Dennis Sarfate’s 62 walks will keep the opponents on the base paths.

Last season, I predicted the Orioles to have an appalling season, but I was wrong. This year, I believe their win total will go down, but not drastically. A 65-97 record seems likely for the O’s in 2009, especially with how talented the rest of the American League East is.
--------------------------------
Tomorrow's article will be predicting the upcoming season for the Boston Red Sox.