Baltimore Orioles 2018 Season Preview

The Baltimore Orioles refused to sell last year, and have done virtually nothing this offseason. Will the results be any different than they were in 2017?

Last season, the Baltimore Orioles had seemingly charted their course. After a rough start to the year, and with several stars that were closing in on being a year away from free agency, they appeared to be in the perfect spot to rebuild. And, for a time, that appeared to be the direction they were heading in.

However, Peter Angelos would not let Dan Duquette rebuild. The Orioles originally said they would sell, then retreated from that stance. Then the rebuild was on again, with a rumored trade involving Zach Britton heading to Houston. However, that deal was reportedly nixed by Angelos, leaving the Orioles to reverse course again and actually trade for impending free agent Jeremy Hellickson. That waffling led to a 75-87 record, last in the AL East.

This year, there has been more of the same. The Orioles have done virtually nothing in terms of free agent signings or trades. Britton, Adam Jones, and Manny Machado are all poised to depart via free agency, leaving Baltimore with nothing. And yet, somehow, ownership is convinced this is the right move.

Somehow, someway, the Baltimore Orioles regard themselves as a contending team. Can they really fulfill those dreams of a playoff run?