It’s still way too early to make real predictions for the Baltimore Orioles 2010 season. The first spring training game isn’t for another week, but it’s hard as a die hard fan not to begin to speculate.
You’ve got to wonder how good this rotation is going to be with a veteran as the number one starter. Not only does Kevin Millwood take the weight off Guthrie’s shoulders, but he provides a few more wins and goes later into games than anyone the O’s had in 2009.
The line up was solid last season, but they have improved with Miguel Tejada, who will likely hit clean up after hitting .313 with 14 homers and 46 doubles last season. You’d like to think that Adam Jones, Nolan Reimold, and Matt Wieters will continue to grow at the plate. If you get the same numbers from Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis you’ve got to be happy. Luke Scott will provide some homers, but he’s streaky, and honestly, who knows what you’ll get from Garrett Atkins.
I’m sure as an O’s fan you’ve already thought about all of the facts that I listed about the club above. What I’m wondering is how the Orioles will size up in the AL East. The big goal for Baltimore is to get back to .500 after 12 below .500 seasons. Rightfully so. But, what about finishing in third in 2010?
How good are the Blue Jays going to be with out Roy Halladay? Baltimore was 9-9 against them last season, 1-2 vs. Doc.
The Rays were in the running for a Wild Card in 2009, but in September they were pretty far out of it. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them blow up that team if they aren’t doing well at the All Star break. Guys like Carlos Pena, B.J. Upton, and Carl Crawford could be up for grabs. While their rotation is still pretty good, I think the O’s size up well against them if they decide to begin to rebuild again halfway through the season. Yes, they have young talent like Evan Longoria and the highly touted prospect, Desmond Jennings, who is ranked 6th in the Baseball America Top 100. But Tampa Bay builds teams that have a chance to win one to three years every six or seven years, like the Florida Marlins.
I’m antsy to see the progression of the young talent on this team. Baltimore has an arsenal of prospects and continues to grow it with a strong minor league system. Is this season the year they get over the hump? Can they edge Toronto and Tampa for third in the AL East? I don’t know the answers, but I’m ready for Opening Day so I can begin to find out.
I think you have severely underrated Tampa Bay as I think they will contend for a playoff spot.
The Orioles might be able to sneak into 4th place. I don't see them within 5 games of .500.
If people get excited about finishing in front of Toronto as some sign of major progress, I might lose my mind.
I don't think I've under rated the Rays. They are a better team than the Orioles, but I think that if they aren't in contention at the All Star Break they are going to be sellers, in which case the Orioles have a great chance of beating them in the East. They were only 8-10 against them last season, if they drop guys like Pena, Upton, and Crawford, how good can they be?
I think that Zach hit the nail square on the head…IF TB falls out of contention before the trading deadline, they become sellers. As far as the O's, they have nothing to lose, so I say keep these youngsters out there, see what they can do and MAYBE they can sneek out on some teams. Realistically I see them at 77-85, which is a huge leap from the 64 they rung up last year. Stay the course and look for a play off run in 2011 that probably falls a little short. I believe 2012 is the year that they shine- Jones, Nick, Matt, Synder and Bell along with the fantastic five young guns will show the way.
2012 is the year to shine?
Projecting that we beat them because they will sell off in late July?
Okey Doke.
Will-o,
I totally agree. Look, it took years, YEARS, to get this team in the kind of rancid shape it's in. You can point at Angelos and blame it all on him, but it started back in the 80's when they brought in guys like Rick Burleson, Dwight Evans, Ron Kittle, neglected their minor league system, ignored their scouting department, particularly the international department, while other teams went balls to the wall. Now, Angelos didn't do anything to make it better, in fact he let it go for another decade, but I think with McPhail at the helm, they are doing some good things. Some folks think that you can correct 25 years of bad management and bad mistakes and bad signings in a couple of years. It just doesn't work that way. Basically, the Orioles are like an expansion team right now. They tore the thing down and started all over again. It takes a few years to build a foundation, to foster a winning mentallity, to get consistent teachings all through your minor league systems. Sniff .500 this year, and then take it from there.
Amen Will-o!
It will have to be a huge jump, but like I said that happens if the Rays become sellers at the break. I think you're right about 2011 and 2012, everything will begin to click next season when the remainder of the big young stars come up.
For now, I think they have a solid team. But everyone knows they're waiting for a couple more guys.
Mark,
I love this forum as I am officially NOT the most negative guy on it. My work crew will find that hard to believe, but you've got me on this post.
After 12 losing seasons, what would you realistically expect from this team? If the Orioles get to .500 I may throw the parade myself and I will see it as MAJOR progress.
Negative?
Nope.
I'm a realist my friend.
I realistically expect the Orioles to win between 70 and 72 games.
My point was this team can finish in fourth place and still be 25 games out. I don't view that as progress.
If they hit .500 I will be shocked. That would be real progress.
Then maybe they will actually try to get some legit free agents in here. But alas, it'll most likely be another offseason where all the orange kool aid drinkers tell me that I don't know how to build a winning team and that 2012 is the year that they go after big name guys. They will tell me that 2010 was really just another building year and that 2011 is when I should expect progress.
Call me negative. Call me a pessimist. But whatever you do, call me in October and we'll see how it played out.
I'm happy with the nucleus of the club – Wieters, Roberts, Jones, Markakis – I'd put those four guys up against most any other clubs in either league. And I realize BRob is not a youngster.
And Tejada makes 5. I think Miggy is gonna have a big year until we trade him in July. Reimold is on the fringe. Offensively, I like what I see.
Reimold did a great job of adjusting last season after pitchers figured him out. He's a sharp guy with a love of the game. I know he has his doubters, but I think he's gonna be great.
Zach,
As my first sports love is baseball, specifically Orioles baseball, I too am excited about watching this season unfurl. Can Adam Jones build on his All Star season of 2009? Can Markakis develop a little more pop and challenge that 25 homer mark? I'm really excited about the season. And the young pitchers…It'll be cool to watch their growth.
Just like our football team though, I don't believe they have the right guy at the wheel to get them where they need to go. Trembley's a nice enough guy, but so am I and that doesn't qualify me to be the manager of the Baltimore Orioles.
But it's fun to feel like you may be on the ground floor of something. While this town is all a ga-ga over the Ravens, the Orioles are the forgotten team. All those bandwagon fans will jump on board once these guys start to blossom.
STG,
Not only is Oriole basebal my first sports love, it is my first love. I can see the Orioles winning 95 games and contending for a wild card spot. Look at how many teams didn't get better or even slid backwards. With what the O's did in the off season, I can see them catching the teams in front of us last year. Now you have to take into account my lazy eye…
Nails,
95 games seems a little high to me. I think it will be a winning season, but I can't give you a number until I see how the spring works out. I will tell you though that I think if the majority of this line up and rotation stays healthy they are going to surprise a lot of doubters. (That's you Mark) 😉
Nails,
If they had only unloaded that Trembles guy…
I think this team needs some fire, someone to put a foot up their collective butts. Let them know that baserunning errors like last year's will not be tolerated.
I think this team will see .500 this year.
95 wins seems "a little high"? A LITTLE?!?!?!?!?
Let's pump the brakes here!
No wait, let's SLAM THE BRAKES.
It's now time to start making some friendly wagers because I cannot let this opportunity slip away.
Who went backwards? Everyone talks about the Yankees OF. Well they still have an infield that is ridiculous and they added Vazquez who be our #1 and he's their #4.
Boston went out and added Lackey and while they lost Bay, that staff is flat out nasty. Beckett/Lester/Lackey/Dice K/ and Buchholtz might finally arrive.
TB is being grossly underrated on this board.
95 wins. Great googily moogily.
Tampa had three winning months last year, four at or below .500. They were 36-37 after the All Star Break, 32-49 on the road.
…I don't think anyone disagrees with you, they are a better team than the Orioles. But I think they're sellers this year if they get to the break out of playoff contention.
Tampa finished 20 games in front of the Orioles last year.
Their first half schedule was ridiculously brutal. They were in the race in August and finally faded in September.
They are not only better than the Orioles. The are significantly better and will contend this year in my opinion.