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2005 Regular Season Record: 74-88
Fourth in the AL East: 21 games behind the Red Sox/Yankees
Home Park: Camden Yards
New Faces:
Kris Benson SP (Acquired from Mets)
Jeff Conine 1B/OF (Free Agency)
Franklyn Gracesqui RP (Acquired from Marlins)
LaTroy Hawkins RP (Acquired from Giants)
Ramon Hernandez C (Free Agency)
Kevin Millar 1B/OF (Free Agency)
Corey Patterson OF (Acquired from Cubs)
Looking for Greener Pastures Elsewhere:
James Baldwin SP (Signed with Blue Jays)
Sal Fasano C (Signed Phillies)
Jason Grimsley RP (Signed with Diamondbacks)
Jorge Julio RP (Traded to Mets)
Steve Kline RP (Traded to Giants)
John Maine RP (Traded to Mets)
Eli Marrero C/OF (Signed with Rockies)
Rafael Palmeiro 1B (Retired)
Carlos Perez RP (Traded to Cubs)
Sidney Ponson SP (Signed with Cardinals)
BJ Ryan RP (Signed with Blue Jays)
Sammy Sosa OF (Retired?)
Nate Spears SS (Traded to Cubs)
BJ Surhoff 1B/OF (Released)
Walter Young 1B (Signed with Padres)
The Skinny: The Orioles sizzled through much of the first half last season and were leading the AL East in late June. Then, they completely fell apart and nothing went right for them in the second half. Only the lowly Royals fared worse than the O’s 27– 48 record after the All Star break. In August, Rafael Palmeiro was suspended for testing positive for steroids and two days later manager Lee Mazzilli was fired. Finally, the season ended and Baltimore could start looking to next year, right? Not so fast. Star player, Miguel Tejada, demanded a trade, twice. After the Orioles failed to lock him into a contract earlier in the 2005, BJ Ryan, headed off to the division rival Blue Jays. None of the big name free agents they courted took their money. The acquisition of Ramon Hernandez alienated the guy that currently played that position, Javy Lopez, so HE demanded a trade as well. 2006 has to be better, right? Maybe not. The 2006 Orioles are not much different than the 2005 version.
Although no big names join the ’06 Orioles, there were several additions should help settle an unbalanced clubhouse. Jeff Conine and Kevin Millar are great veteran clubhouse leaders. They will also help provide more offensive protection for Tejada and Melvin Mora than Palmeiro or Sosa provided last year. Having Ramon Hernandez at catcher should allow Javy Lopez to rest his knees and contribute more to the team offensively as a designated hitter and part-time first baseman. Hernandez’s defensive skill and ability to handle a pitching staff will also help make him a welcome addition.
Possibly the biggest impact on the Orioles this season will be Leo Mazzone. Credited with much of the Atlanta Braves pitching success in the past fifteen years, Mazzone is known for his ability to transform throwers into pitchers and will take over a staff in need of guidance. Daniel Cabrera and Erik Bedard look to be the primary beneficiaries of Mazzone’s wisdom. Combined, these two third year pitchers would’ve made a one good starter last year. Bedard started 5-1 with a 2.08 ERA in the first half and Cabrera finished strong posting a 3.06 ERA in his last 14 starts. Both have shown flashes of brilliance and if Mazzone can settle them down and get them to achieve consistency, they’re primed for a breakout year. Kris Benson doesn’t have the stuff or makeup to be a number one starter but if he can somehow stay healthy for an entire season he should help fill out the staff with Rodrigo Lopez and Bruce Chen. Lopez (15) and Chen (13) will be hard pressed to match the career high win totals each achieved in ’05.
Strengths: Catcher and Middle Infield. Javy Lopez and Ramon Hernandez are two of the best offensive catchers in the league. Catcher is the one position where Baltimore can afford an injury (or dangle a player as trade bait.) When Miguel Tejada and Brian Roberts are firing on all cylinders, they make up one of the best offensive combos in the league. However, Robert’s health is a concern after offseason elbow surgery.
Weaknesses: Outfield and Relief. There was not a lot of production from the Orioles outfield last year and unless Corey Patterson plays like he did in 2003 and 2004, this year won’t be any better. The potential trade of Luis Matos to the Cubs for Todd Walker opens up a starting spot for either Jeff Conine or David Newhan in the outfield but that might not be a good thing. As far as the relief corps, gone are BJ Ryan, Jorge Julio, and Steve Kline from 2005. Chris Ray takes over at closer by default. The fact that LaTroy Hawkins and Todd Williams are the best options waiting in the wings should Ray falter does not inspire confidence.
Potential Lineup
Brian Roberts 2B
Corey Patterson CF
Melvin Mora 3B
Miguel Tejada SS
Javy Lopez DH
Jay Gibbons RF
Ramon Hernandez C
Kevin Millar 1B
Luis Matos LF
Rotation
Rodrigo Lopez - RHP
Kris Benson - RHP
Erik Bedrad - LHP
Daniel Cabrera - RHP
Bruce Chen - LHP
Chris Ray - Closer RHP
Keys to Success: For Baltimore to find success everything that went wrong in 2005 needs to go right in 2006. The starting roster has to stay healthy all season. The offseason additions have to come in and contribute offensively, defensively, and on the mound. Mazzone has to work his magic early and often with the pitching staff.
Prediction: There’s a reason the players have been asking to get out of Baltimore: The O’s simply don’t have the talent. The 2006 Orioles will be hard pressed to finish fourth in the AL East again this year. Outplaying the Yankees, Red Sox, and Blue Jays is a challenge for any team in the league for a single game, let alone an entire season. A 72-90 record should be just enough for Baltimore to keep the Devil Rays in the cellar. If the season is going badly enough, expect to see the Orioles make some deals in order to take the franchise in the right direction and prevent more trade demands next offseason. This may mean moving players before they can make the demand again.
