Predicting the Final AL East Standings in 2016
By Nick Fustor
5. Baltimore Orioles
Projected Record: 79-83
Key Additions: 1B/OF Mark Trumbo, OF Hyun-soo Kim
Key Subtractions: OF Gerardo Parra
Biggest Strength: Middle of the order power
Biggest Weakness: Rotation depth
After whiffing on many of the big-name free agents this offseason, the Orioles nearly missed out on retaining slugger Chris Davis, before offering him a massive 7-year, $161 million dollar deal, which he signed. Bringing back Davis allowed the organization to have a collective sigh of relief. The team likely would have taken a huge step back without his bat in the lineup.
The only other notable offseason moves came when coveted reliever Darren O’Day re-upped for four years and inconsistent slugger Mark Trumbo was acquired as insurance in the event that Davis signed elsewhere. O’Day will likely anchor the relieving corps once again before closer Zack Britton looks to shut things down in the ninth, as he did so often in 2015 (1.91 ERA, 36 saves). The rest of the bullpen lacks star power, but should perform effectively.
As it stands now, the Orioles lineup is their main strength – the entire team will depend upon the production of rising superstar Manny Machado and Davis. Trumbo can add some pop as the DH and an occasional outfielder, but the team will likely need to deal for another option to complement star center fielder Adam Jones.
Korean outfielder Hyun-soo Kim was signed as a possible starter, but it remains to be seen how his bat will translate to the majors. One positive to note, though, is that he walked 38 more times than he struck out, while also hitting 28 homers in the KBO.
The rest of the lineup should be solid once again, as Jonathan Schoop will look to build off a solid season in which he hit .279 with 15 homers and J.J. Hardy could rebound from a down year.
Along with their outfield woes, the Orioles rotation is far from a sure thing. Led by Chris Tillman, who is coming off a surprisingly bad season which saw his ERA balloon from 3.34 in 2014 to 4.99, the rotation lacks proven options. Tillman’s control was his main issue, as his BB/9 rose to 3.33, a career-worst. After Tillman, there’s a whole lot of questions marks.
Ubaldo Jimenez will likely never be the pitcher he was in Colorado, but he can eat up innings along with Miguel Gonzalez. Unless Kevin Gausman takes a big leap forward in his third major league season, the Orioles may have some trouble getting outs. Prospects Dylan Bundy and Hunter Harvey could potentially provide support, but it’s a long shot that either will break camp with the team.
With a weak rotation and lack of depth in the outfield, the Orioles look doomed for their first sub-.500 season since 2011.
Next: 4. Tampa Bay Rays