2008 Prediction: 5th in AL East
In
- Luke Scott, Troy Patton, Matt Albers, Dennis Sarfate, and Mike Costanzo (HOU) - acquired for Miguel Tejada - 12/12/07
- Lance Cormier (ATL) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/22/08
- Luis Terrero (CHW) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/8/08
- Chris Roberson (PHI) - acquired for cash considerations - 1/2/08
- Adam Jones, George Sherrill, Chris Tillman, Tony Butler and Kam Mockolio (SEA) - acquired for Erik Bedard - 2/08/08
- Steve Trachsel (CHC) - signed to a minor league contract - 2/11/08
Out
- Jaret Wright (PIT) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/23/08
- Victor Santos (SF) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/11/08
- J.R. House (HOU) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/9/08
- Paul Bako (CIN) - signed to a minor league contract - 2/1/08
- Erik Bedard (SEA) - traded for Adam Jones, George Sherrill, Chris Tillman, Tony Butler and Kam Mockolio - 2/08/08
- Victor Zambrano (COL) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/31/08
Remaining Free Agents
- Kris Benson
- Paul Shuey
- Alberto Castillo
- Corey Patterson
C - Ramon Hernandez
1B - Kevin Millar
2B - Brian Roberts
3B - Melvin Mora
SS - Luis Hernandez
LF - Luke Scott/Adam Jones
CF - Jay Payton/Adam Jones
RF - Nick Markakis
DH - Aubrey Huff
Projected Opening Day Rotation
Daniel Cabrera
Adam Loewen
Jeremy Guthrie
Brian Burres
Steve Trachsel
Jamie Walker/Danys Baez/George Sherrill
Improvements:The Orioles made two significant movse all winter, and in doing so they traded away their All-Star shortstop and ace left-hander. In return, Jones, a kid who has all the makings of a five-tool outfielder; Sherrill who will likely battle for the Orioles' closer position; Scott, who has decent versatility and some pop in his bat, and a bunch of young kids. Albers and Patton have each spent less than a year in the big leagues, Sarfate has had nothing more than a couple cups of coffee, and Tillman, Butler, Mockolio and Costanzo (whom the Astros acquired in the Lidge trade) have never seen the light of Major League Baseball. So did the Orioles actually improve themselves? On paper, and for the immediate future, perhaps not. But in a couple of years, Baltimore could finally be ready to compete.
Lack of Improvement: With Tejada now in Houston, the Orioles really have no legitimate clean-up hitter in their lineup. There is some talent on that team (Markakis, Roberts and Mora are always a threat). But the Orioles now lack that "don't let this guy beat you" hitter, which is a formula for disaster. And now with Bedard gone, the Orioles have no legitimate ace; no legitimate opening day starter. And the trade leaves Daniel Cabrera as the senior member of the staff, with four major league seasons under his belt. The O's did bring Trachsel back, but his productivity has declined over the last few seasons. Furthermore, closer Chris Ray had Tommy John surgery last August, and will miss most of, if not all of, 2008. His replacements, currently slated to be a combination of Sherrill, Danys Baez and Jamie Walker, do not exactly strike fear into the hearts of batters in the 9th inning. Sherrill has four major league saves (three of which coming in '07); Baez hasn't been a regular closer since he saved 41 games for the Rays in 2005; and Walker has 12 saves in 8 big league seasons.
Keys to sucess: The Orioles are going to have their problems this season, and new manager Dave Trombley will have his hands full trying to keep the team's hopes up. The team does have a fairly decent rotation, and even with Bedard gone, it has the make up to be one of the best in the league - in a couple of years anyways. And Markakis finished in the top 10 in Rookie of the Year voting in 2006 and had an even better '07. With Tejada and Bedard gone, it is expected that the 24-year old outfielder will become the new face of the Orioles and be their new franchise player.
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