Baltimore Orioles 2010:
1. Badness in the first half.
2. Buck in the second.
Grade: A+
Notable Additions:
Mark Reynolds, Derrek Lee, Kevin Gregg, JJ Hardy, Jeremy Accardo, Justin Duchscherer, Randy Winn, and Vladimir Guerrero.
Notable Subtractions:
Ty Wigginton, Sean Henn, Corey Patterson, and Garrett Atkins.
Why?: Why do the Orioles have a higher grade than the Red Sox? That is because the Orioles gained players that will make more of a impact wins wise than the Red Sox. They also didn’t lose as many impact players as the Red Sox did.
The Orioles gained an impact player at every position besides that which they already had settled, Brian Roberts at Second. In doing this they also, solidified the middle of their line-up. They have a difference making hitter at each spot in the line-up now: DH Vladimir Guerrero, C Matt Wieters, 1B Derrek Lee, 2B Brian Roberts, 3B Mark Reynolds, SS JJ Hardy, LF Luke Scott, CF Adam Jones, RF Nick Markakis.
I think that this lineup will be one of the best in the Majors. It’s like a discount version of the Yankee’s line-up (no holes in it). Can anyone argue with me that the only influential player they lost is Ty Wigginton? They really lost near nothing this offseason.
But who cares about hitters (And never begin you sentences with a conjunction)? It’s pitching that wins championships. Here the names are not as abundant nor are the names as big. The weak pont of this team is still starting pitchers but they did get some bullpen guys.
Predicted Record Range: 70-75 they might have a vastly separated this year’s line-up from that of last but they still have to pitch and probably won’t repeat their post break record from last year.
Filed under: 2011 AL East, Offseason Recap and Preview Tagged: AL East, bad season, bottom feeder, Buck Showalter, Corey Patterson, Derrek Lee, Garrett Atkins Mark Reynolds, grade A, hon rones, Jeremy Accardo, JJ Hardy, Justin Duchscherer, Kevin Gregg, offseason (sort of), Orioles, playoffs?, Randy Winn, Sean Henn, Star student, Ty Wigginton, Vladimir Guerrero
