BALTIMORE ORIOLES (89-73), T2ND, AL EAST
uSeason snapshot: The Orioles were in a three-team dogfight all season before taking the second wild-card spot. The team was built around home runs, power and a solid bullpen. The Orioles lived up to that by smacking 253 home runs, 28 more than any other team. led the majors with 47 homers, one of six Baltimore batters who had more than 20. Second baseman emerged as a potential future star. Closer
a Cy Young award candidate, anchored a bullpen that had the best ERA in the AL. Britton was 47-for-47 in save opportunities to lead the AL and was the only qualified reliever in the majors with a 100% save percentage. emerged as a strong set-up guy, picking up the slack when was injured for a good part of the year. Right-hander
was a nice surprise.
uWhat now: As well as the Orioles hit and as strong as their bullpen was, their rotation was a drag, with an ERA better than those of only two other AL teams. Nine pitchers made starts for the Orioles.
was solid,
and stepped up late in the season and provided a mini-boost for a few starts, but they need to add at least one high-quality starter. A return to full health for O’Day would help by allowing other pitchers to return to roles for which they’re better suited.
uFree agent focus: The Orioles will have to decide what to do with two important free agents, Trumbo and catcher
Trumbo probably will get a qualifying offer, but Wieters probably won’t. Other free agents include DH-third baseman who took awhile to adjust to his first season in the AL and is not likely to get a qualifying offer; outfielder
who played well after being acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks Aug. 31; and right-hander
uProspects to watch: The farm system has been pretty thin, but infielder
the Orioles’ best position prospect, made his debut late in the season and was impressive. Mancini, who homered for his first career hit, became the third player in major league history to homer in each of his first three major league starts. He will be in the mix next season. Another name to keep an eye on is catcher He spent the season in Class AA before an end-of-the-season promotion to Class AAA. In his fourth game there he hit a grand slam.
Maureen Mullen