Spring training site
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
2007 record
69-93, fourth in AL East, 27 games behind Red Sox
New faces
Biggest offseason acquisition
RHP Matt Albers (trade, Astros); RHP Greg Aquino (free agent, Brewers); RHP Lance Cormier (free agent, Braves); CF Adam Jones (trade, Mariners); C Guillermo Quiroz (free agent, Rangers); RHP Dennis Sarfate (trade, Astros); OF Luke Scott (trade, Astros); LHP George Sherrll (trade, Mariners); RHP Steve Trachsel (free agent, Cubs)
Gone but not forgotten
The Orioles traded away their best hitter (shortstop Miguel Tejada) and pitcher (lefty Erik Bedard) in the offseason. Of the two, they'll likely miss Bedard more, as he was only 29 and was by far the ace of the staff. Plus, they lost the headache that Tejada could become if he's charged with perjury.
Spring training battles
Everything is in flux with the Orioles, who are finally undergoing the wholesale rebuilding that they have needed for the past decade or so. There are young, unproven players in all areas, and manager Dave Trembley will likely be experimenting all season.
Projected lineup
- 2B Brian Roberts
- 3B Melvin Mora
- RF Nick Markakis
- 1B Kevin Millar
- DH Aubrey Huff
- C Ramon Hernandez
- LF Luke Scott
- CF Adam Jones or Jay Payton
- SS Luis Hernandez
Projected starting rotation
- RHP Jeremy Guthrie
- RHP Daniel Cabrera
- LHP Adam Loewen
- RHP Steve Trachsel
- RHP Matt Albers or LHP Brian Burres
Projected bullpen
- LHP George Sherrill (closer)
- RHP Chad Bradford
- LHP Jamie Walker
- RHP Lance Cormier
- RHP Jim Hoey
- RHP Dennis Sarfate
- TBA
Biggest strength
Building around Nick Markakis, Adam Jones and perhaps Jeremy Guthrie is the right direction for the Orioles, who despite being in a good market haven't spent wisely in the past decade or so and haven't even been a nuisance to the Yankees or Red Sox in their stranglehold on the AL East, instead contending for the basement with the Devil Rays.
Glaring weakness
Pick one, at least for this year. Bradford and Walker are the only holdovers in a bullpen full of waiver-wire pickups and trade throw-ins. If the Orioles trade Brian Roberts, the infield will have a similar feel. Kevin Millar will hit cleanup for the Orioles this season. For the Red Sox, he wouldn't even crack the lineup.
