Team’s Identities: Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles are currently treading water around the 500 level and in the middle of the AL East but their only realistic goal should be to not finish last. The team has some hope for the future but the team just isn’t talented enough to even have a chance of sniffing the playoffs this year. They should be in full sell mode come the trade deadline and continue to build around some of their young stars.

The team should be in good hands with team president Andy MacPhail as long as team owner Peter Angelos lets him do his job. The current roster has several pieces that would be perfect to move come the trade deadline. Brian Roberts will be on the top of a lot of teams wish lists. Aubrey Huff and Kevin Millar would also be great additions to a lot of contenders. While the team won’t be able to offer a lot of starting pitching to a contender, they will be able to offer closer George Sherrill who would be a great lefty to put in any teams pen and could be even more sought after than Brian Roberts come deadline time.

The future does have some promise though as the team already has two young stud outfielders in Adam Jones and Nick Markakis. There isn’t much coming up very soon though in the minors. Matt Wieters their first round pick last year and top prospect could come up sometime next year but likely wont be an impact bat for awhile. Jeremy Guthrie, Daniel Cabrera and Adam Lowen would make a good back end of a rotation for a contender, but with only Radhames Liz close to the majors the rotation wont be a strength anytime soon. The return of Chris Ray will be a huge boost for the bullpen. When he comes back he will likely become the teams closer again as hes only 26 and already has 49 saves and a 3.19 career ERA to his credit.

How can they turn this thing around? Well there’s no quick fix here, its going to take a lot of good scouting, the face of the franchise and bring plenty of people to the ball park. If would be a good sign for the team as long as they don’t let it affect their player development. Teixeira himself wont take this team anywhere close to the playoffs. They have the 16th rated farm system according to Baseball America, so while the farm isn’t horrible it could still use a lot of improvement. Investing more money into the draft and into international signings is likely their best move.

In order for this team to turn it around and compete in the very deep AL East they need a better top of the rotation and a lot more depth in the batting order. They just don’t have the money to be able to address all these needs in free agency. Landing Teixeira should be a top priority for them this offseason since he can become the face of the franchise and build hope in Baltimore. The trade deadline will be very important for the Orioles rebuilding process, as Robert’s and Sherrill’s value will likely never be higher then it is now. Not worrying about going over slot in the draft like they did last year will also be key to their rebuilding process. Even if they play all their cards right it would be hard to see them competing for a playoff spot anytime within the next two or three years.