Last season, Orioles Manager Lee Mazzilli received his managerial baptism. A young Oriole team, with its share of injuries and struggles, still managed to have a respectable 78 win season; good enough for third place in the American League East. The goals for this season are a little higher, and with the right amount of talent and luck, the O’s are hoping for a three-team race to win the division.
Let’s look at the starters at each of the positions, look at the projected starters and bullpen, along at some other intangibles. Then, we will make our prediction for the Orioles.
CATCHING
Catcher - Javy Lopez - Saw his offensive output dip a bit last season. However, as in past years with the Braves, he did not have a fully qualified backup to give him the time off and Lopez had 150 games under his belt last season. Geronimo Gil, an Orioles' full time catcher in 2003, is back as Lopez' backup and with a little confidence, the hope is Gil can provide the chance to give Lopez an adequate breather every now and again. It should help to further solidify the Orioles offensive output.
INFIELD
First Base – Jay Gibbons/Rafael Palmiero – After a 51 home run performance in 2002 and 2003, Gibbons’ numbers dropped to 10 in 2004. A rigorous off-season training regimen is giving Gibbons the hopes of a positive and vital role in this strong Oriole lineup. His defense, however, may be his major shortcoming, which may have him switch from time to time from first base to DH, with Palmiero. Palmiero, with 551 career homers, seems to be on the downside to his career, but with the pressure off a little with the addition of Sosa, he may be able to get some confidence in his swing.
Second Base – Brian Roberts – Without Jerry Hairston looking over his shoulder, Roberts had an extremely solid season, with career highs in just about every offensive category. Could very well be one of the best leadoff hitters in the game.
Shortstop – Miguel Tejada – The main cog of last year’s team. Played in 756 consecutive games (good team to play consecutive games for), broke the RBI record with 150 last season. Get another bat in the lineup, and let’s see how many he gets this go around.
Third Base – Melvin Mora – Solid all around player. Dependable and reliable with great OPB and power numbers, you know the Mora will help in all facets of the game. How the Mets gave up on him, is beyond belief.
OUTFIELD
Left Field – Larry Bigbie – Had a good unexpected season last year for the O’s. They are hoping for the same consistency this season. However, a bad spring (.149) may have manager Mazzilli do some serious juggling.
Center Field – Luis Matos – Great outfielder, covers as much ground as anyone in the league. However, he can be quite brittle as his many trips to the disabled list have shown. A great deal of finger-crossing is being done in the bowels of Camden Yards.
Right Field – Sammy Sosa – 600 home runs is approaching (should do it by late June – with that short porch in left field) for the former Cub great. Trying to prove a lot of people wrong that are saying that this is the beginning of the end. If he can reduce his strikeouts and be able to punch the ball to all sides of the field, he can be a major factor.
PITCHING
This is the ‘Achilles heel’ of the team. A lot of trust is going to some young arms, and to some ‘retreads’ that are on their last major league legs. The bullpen is deep, but needs a real ‘closer’ to get the job done.
STARTERS
Rodrigo Lopez – 36 wins in 3 years, however was doing the bullpen shuffle a couple of times. The hopes of the team rest in his right hand.
Daniel Cabrera – A youngster with a blazing fastball in the 97-98 range. But he needs to keep that number 1 in control to become the ‘future ace.’
Erik Bedard – Tough rookie season, but has pitched brilliantly this spring.
Sidney Ponson – Beating up judges in Aruba is not a good off-season training regimen. A cat has nine lives, Sidney is at 8 ½.
Bruce Chen – Has shown signs of why Atlanta was so high on him nearly a decade ago as a rookie. Is this a rebirth?
RELIEVERS
Closer/Setup – This will be the flip flop between BJ Ryan and Jorge Julio. Ryan will get the closer role to start the season. The 6-6 249 lb left hander, with mid-90’s heat is the tandem of the 6-1 236 lb Julio who can get his number 1 up to 98. Whoever gets the top job will get some serious help from the other to get to that 9th inning.
Others – Adding a pair of Steve’s to this pen (Kline and Reed respectively), will add some major experience and mentoring to this young squad. Kline is a lefty killer and Reed, although not one of the greatest of statistical men (considering he pitched in Coors Field). The O’s have other young arms as Todd Williams and John Parrish to add some depth to the pen.
INTANGIBLES
The Park – Oriole Park at Camden Yards is on of the true gems in baseball. Usually 3 million come through the turnstiles each season. But for 2005, they are not the only game in town. The Nationals begin their new life in downtown DC this April, and have already 20,000 season ticket holders at RFK Stadium for the first three years before they get their new park in South East Washington. The normal advantage that the large crowds gave the O’s may not be as prevalent as it was in the Ripken era.
The AL East – If the Orioles were in any other division in baseball, they would probably be a serious contender to win a division. With those free-wheeling Yankees and Red Sox doing what they do best, the Orioles look like the unfortunate girls sitting in the back of the dance hall, waiting for the guy to come to ask him to dance.
The Injury Bug – It took its toll on Gibbons and Matos last season. With a number of elder statesmen, it always tends to be a major risk factor. With a solid healthy campaign – they have the ability to keep up with the big boys up north.
Prediction – If they play above their expectations in the first half of the season, the Yanks and Sox may have to make some deals to bolster their roster. The O’s may have to go that route too and go hard; however, they just do not have the ability to have the #24 man on the roster be as much as a factor for them as New York or Boston. They will make an improvement on their record for the third consecutive season, but will be short of the Wild Card at 85-77.
