The Baltimore Orioles

The Bolt will be releasing 30 commentaries over the next 6 weeks giving analysis of the off-season moves of all 30 Major League Baseball franchises. We begin this tour with the Baltimore Orioles.

Losses: 3B Melvin Mora, C Chad Moeller, P Chris Ray (1B Aubrey Huff in August)
Gains: P Kevin Millwood, P Mike Gonzales, IF Garrett Atkins, IF, Miguel Tejada

Analysis: Looking at the give and take from Baltimore this offseason, they've made, what seem to be, minor improvements. Miguel Tejada should replicate Melvin Mora's production, with the possibility of a slight gain, but his move to 3rd will be one to watch. Atkins has gone through periods of time where he has been an Aubrey Huff-like run producer, but it remains to be seen if he can regain that form. Mike Gonzales is a legitimate closing pitcher. He has experience in that role with both Atlanta and Pittsburgh. He makes the loss of Chris Ray easy to swallow. That leaves the addition of Kevin Millwood. Any team acquiring Kevin Millwood is improving their team. Millwood can sit atop the Orioles young rotation, giving them innings, experience, and a role model. This will hopefully have a very positive impact on the young O's.

More moves: Expect to hear Ty Wigginton's name in rumors, but no definite move in the works.

2010 thoughts: The O's have one of the best young outfields in the major leagues. As Adam Jones, Nick Markakis and Nolan Reimold continue to grow into their big league shoes, good things should start to happen out there. The O's still have some pop at the corners with their new additions and they brought back Luke Scott to provide offense from the DH. Brian Roberts is still a legitimate lead-off hitter, though his SBs and fielding range continue to decrease and Cezar Izturis will continue to bring stellar defense to the middle of the infield. Matt Wieters is the player to watch this year for the Orioles. He was a hot prospect coming up through the system, behind the plate, and showed glimpses of what could be a very bright future. All-in-all this line-up should be fun to watch at the plate and on the field.

The pitching staff is where the questions lie. Jeremy Guthrie, Brian Matusz, Jason Berken, and David Hernandez are all got starts in 2009, but all carried an ERA over 4.50 (Matusz the only one under 5 in just 8 starts). So it remains to be seen how the kids will progress, though they get the tutelage and consistent effort of Kevin Millwood. The bullpen is decent, but will likely garner more than its fair share of innings.

Prediction: Sadly, I think it'll be one more year of arm development before I can take the Orioles out of the AL East basement.

Stay tuned for...the Houston Astros.

APT

Amendments: The Orioles have signed Mark Hendrickson and Will Ohman. I'm not sure if Hendrickson will be competing for a starting spot. He will certainly add depth though in case of injury or an in-season change. They will both provide Left-handed options out of the bullpen. Ohman is recovering from an injury that cut his 2009 short.