Hope Springs Eternal

As MLB's off season comes to a close, spring training is just around the corner. The free agent market has played itself out and the Orioles head to Sarasota, Florida with a roster that has many O's fans excited about 2010 and beyond. With that in mind, I have decided to switch formats and devote my attention to the Baltimore Orioles. Let's break it down.

The Birds acquired veteran SP Kevin Millwood from the Texas rangers in exchange for RP Chris Ray. Millwood should anchor a staff featuring young prospects Brian Matusz, Brad Bergesen, and Chris Tillman. A perennial innings eater, Millwood should be a solid mentor to the youngsters on the staff, and his arrival should help take some pressure off of Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie. Guthrie led the Orioles with 10 wins last season, but he also led the Majors in Hrs allowed with 35, and losses with 17. The O's look for Guthrie to regain his form of 2008 and 2009, when he posted an ERA below 4.00 in each season. They think him not having to face every team's #1 starter should help.

To help solidify the bullpen, Baltimore signed free agent closer Mike Gonzalez. Gonzalez is a hard thrower with 54 saved games during his career for Pittsburgh and Atlanta. His addition allows Jim Johnson to move back to the set-up role, where he has excelled for the majority of his career. Kam Mickilio, Koji Uehara, Mark Hendrickson, and a number of other pitchers will compete for roster spots in what is shaping up to be a much improved O's bullpen.

While prospects Brandon Snyder and Josh Bell are not expected to be ready for the show before mid-season, Baltimore signed Garret Atkins and former Oriole Miguel Tejada. Atkins, a career
.289 hitter struggled mightily at the plate in 2009. Baltimore hopes he can regain the form that made him an all-star in Colorado. Tejada, a former AL MVP brings veteran leadership and a lot of baggage back to the city that saw him have his career year in 2004. That season he hit .311 with 40 doubles, 34 Home Runs, and an amazing 150 RBI. Tejada's power numbers have fallen off significantly in recent years, but the perennial all-star still swings a good bat, and combined with Brian Roberts, Nick Markakis, and Adam Jones, the O's could lead the AL in doubles next year. Let's just hope Miggy makes the transition to third base as smoothly as possible.

As is the case every season, it all comes down to pitching. The Orioles have the offensive talent on paper to score 800 runs, and if guys like Reimold, Weiters, Jones, and Pie continue to improve, I believe that is a real possibility. But, if Millwood and Guthrie struggle, and the young arms regress, it could shape up to be another long season at the yard. The baby birds have hatched, now let's hope they learn how to fly.

It might be a little premature to think about contending for the division, but a .500 record is not beyond the realm of possibility. Here's to the O's finally bringing the magic back to Birdland. I'll drink to that.

Here is my revised 2010 Baltimore Orioles opening day lineup:

2b. Brian Roberts

3b Miguel Tejada

rf . Nick Markakis

dh. Luke Scott

cf. Adam Jones

lf. Nolan Reimold

c. Matt Weiters

1b. Garrett Atkins

ss. Cesar Izturis

Bench:
of. Pie, if. Andino/Turner, c. Moeller, if. Wigginton

Starting Rotation: Millwood, Guthrie, Bergesen, Matusz, Tillman

Bullpen: Gonzalez, Johnson, Mickilio, Uehara, Hendrickson, Hernandez, Albers/Berken/Sarfate/(Ohman?)

That's a pretty solid team. In any other division, it's a team that could compete for the championship. In the AL East however, they may need a little more seasoning, as well as an impact player or two next year. A .500 season is a more realistic goal. The good news? I am always wrong when it comes to predictions.

Lets Go O's!