The Orioles didn't sign their primary target, Mark Teixeira. But president Andy MacPhail spent the winter filling holes and answering questions. The team signed RF Nick Markakis to a six-year extension and 2B Brian Roberts to a four-year extension and beefed up its pitching depth. The question remains in the rotation, where three slots are wide open. The team remains in discussions with several starters, and one could be added if MacPhail finds a short-term deal to his liking.
ARRIVALS: SS Cesar Izturis (free agent from Cardinals), RHP Koji Uehara (free agent from Yomiuri Japan), OF Felix Pie (trade with Cubs), LHP Mark Hendrickson (free agent from Marlins), LHP Rich Hill (trade with Cubs), INF Ty Wiggington (free agent from Astros), C Gregg Zaun (free agent from Blue Jays), OF Ryan Freel (trade with Reds), RHP David Pauley (trade with Red Sox), INF Chris Gomez (minor league free agent from Pirates), C Chad Moeller (minor league free agent from Yankees), RHP Adam Eaton (minor league free agent from Phillies). DEPARTURES: RHP Daniel Cabrera (non-tendered, signed with Nationals), C Ramon Hernandez (trade with Reds), LHP Garrett Olson (trade with Cubs), 1B Kevin Millar (free agent, signed minor league deal with Blue Jays), OF Jay Payton (free agent, unsigned), SS Juan Castro (free agent, unsigned), SS Alex Cintron (free agent, signed minor league deal with Nationals), LHP Brian Burres (designated for assignment, signed minor league deal with Blue Jays), RHP Lance Cormier (non-tendered, signed with Rays), RHP Randor Bierd (traded to Red Sox).
PROJECTED ROTATION:
1. RHP Jeremy Guthrie
2. RHP Koji Uehara
3. LHP Mark Hendrickson
4. RHP David Pauley
5. LHP Rich Hill
While the verdict may still be out on whether Guthrie is a true No. 1, there is no debate in Orioles camp: Guthrie has to be the ace. Uehara is guaranteed a spot in the rotation, while the other three spots are wide open.
Orioles president Andy MacPhail envisioned Hendrickson as a swingman, but he's the most experienced of a group that will be competing for three starting spots and potentially two bullpen openings. Top prospects Chris Tillman, Jake Arietta and Brian Matusz are at least a year away.
PROJECTED BULLPEN:
LHP George Sherrill (closer)
RHP Chris Ray
LHP Jamie Walker
RHP Jim Johnson
RHP Dennis Sarfate
RHP Hayden Penn
LHP John Parrish
The Orioles have three pitchers with significant closing experience in camp, and Sherrill is likely to emerge on top after an All-Star season in 2008. Ray, coming off ligament-transplant surgery, could be a dominant eighth-inning performer and fill-in closer. If Johnson replicates his rookie season and Walker is healthy, the Orioles have the makings of a dominating three-inning group.
The questions remain in the middle relief, where the Orioles will likely go young and inexperienced with a player out of minor league options, such as Penn, a one-time prospect with talent to spare.
PROJECTED LINEUP:
1. 2B Brian Roberts
2. C Gregg Zaun
3. RF Nick Markakis
4. 1B Aubrey Huff
5. 3B Melvin Mora
6. DH Luke Scott
7. CF Adam Jones
8. SS Cesar Izturis
9. LF Felix Pie
The biggest void in the Orioles' lineup is a powerful right-handed bat in the middle of the order. The power bats seem to all be from the left side, so manager Dave Trembley will have to tinker with the order from time to time. Also, if Brian Roberts is dealt, there is no lead-off hitter to be found.
Jones is said to be in great shape, with additional strength, and could fill the role of the No. 5 hitter, allowing Mora to slot back to No. 2 in the lineup.
Pie and Ryan Freel will platoon in left field, while Scott and Huff will give at-bats to Ty Wiggington against tough left-handers. Zaun will give way to top prospect Matt Wieters in May or June, and Wieters is likely to hit anywhere from fifth to seventh in the lineup, though he projects as a No. 3 or 5 hitter in the future.
PROJECTED RESERVES:
C Guillermo Quiroz
INF/OF Ryan Freel
INF Ty Wiggington
INF Chris Gomez
The candidates for backup catcher are Quiroz, Chad Moeller and Robbie Hammock. But the spot is being held for starter Gregg Zaun, who will become the backup when top prospect Matt Wieters is recalled sometime in 2009.
Freel, Gomez and Wiggington provide experience and versatility. The club would like outfielder Lou Montanez's bat at the big-league level, but he likely would have to out-perform Felix Pie to make the roster.
TOP ROOKIES: C Matt Wieters will be the talk of camp, whether he makes the club or not. A consensus top prospect, Wieters will likely open the season at Class AAA Norfolk after batting a combined .355 with 27 home runs and 91 RBI between Class A and Class AA in 2008. OF Nolan Reimold will appear in his first big-league spring training after batting .284 with 25 home runs and 84 RBI at Class AA Bowie in 2008. The outfield appears too crowded for him to crack by opening day.
MEDICAL WATCH:
RHP Koji Uehara (left hamstring strain) was hurt during his March 9 start. He returned to action March 24.
LHP Rich Hill (left elbow tightness) skipped a scheduled March 1 appearance due to. He considered the ailment minor.
RHP Brad Hennessey (right elbow) left his first appearance with the Orioles suffering from discomfort. He is out indefinitely.
RHP Jim Miller (sore shoulder) might resume pitching in late March after having a cortisone shot. He still thinks he'll be ready for Opening Day.
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