SLUGGERS ABOUND; ROTATION NEEDS HELP
While the core of the Orioles remains intact, their window for winning might be slowly closing. After the 2018 season, Adam Jones, Manny Machado and Zach Britton become free agents. The Orioles, who led the majors with 253 home runs in 2016, got a big boost when they re-signed Mark Trumbo to a threeyear deal. But the big question mark heading into the season remains the rotation. USA TODAY Sports’ Scott Boeck takes an in-depth look at the team. (*denotes prospect)
Catcher
Welington Castillo replaces longtime backstop Matt Wieters, who opted for agency. The signing of Castillo was clearly payroll driven. He got a one-year, $6 million deal with a player option, cheaper than trying to re-sign Wieters. Castillo, 29, is a veteran with a decent bat (almost equivalent to Wieters in 2016) and should ensure that prospect Chance Sisco isn’t rushed to the majors.
Depth: Castillo, Caleb Joseph, Francisco Pena, *Sisco
First base
Chris Davis enters the second year of a monster seven-year, $161 million contract. Since 2012, the slugger leads the majors in home runs (197) — four more than Edwin Encarnacion and 19 more than Nelson Cruz — but also leads the league in strikeouts (968), which is more than 100 than runner-up Chris Carter (834).
Depth: Davis, *Trey Mancini, *Christian Walker
Second base
After missing nearly half of the 2015 season with a knee injury, Jonathan Schoop is coming off a solid season in which he posted career highs in almost every major category. His one downfall last year was his .298 on-base percentage, which ranked second worst among qualifying second basemen. Schoop, 25, is an elite fielder who rarely takes time off. He was one of three major leaguers to play in all 162 games last season and played in every defensive inning possible except three.
Depth: Schoop, Ryan Flaherty
Third base
The Orioles have two years remaining before they have to decide whether to invest a likely $300 million-plus mega deal in Machado when he becomes a free agent. Machado, 24, is one of baseball’s best young talents and the future of the franchise. Excluding the 2014 season, in which he had season-ending surgery, Machado has finished in the top 10 of the AL MVP vote three times since 2013.
Depth: Machado, Flaherty, Schoop
Shortstop
The best years might be behind J.J. Hardy, who turns 35 in August and becomes a free agent after the season. The three-time Gold Glove winner has been hampered by injuries in each of the last two seasons. Offensively, he has lost his power stroke, totaling 26 home runs over the past three seasons.
Depth: Hardy, Flaherty, Machado
Left field
Manager Buck Showalter likely will employ a platoon system with Hyun Soo Kim and Joey Rickard. Kim clearly was more comfortable against righthanded pitchers last season. He batted .321 against them, compared with 0-for-17 against lefties. Rickard batted .313 against lefties before he missed the second half of the season with a thumb injury. The platoon lacks power but should combine for a decent on-base percentage.
Depth: Kim, Rickard, *Walker, Dariel Alvarez, *Aneury Tavarez
Center field
Expect a rebound season from Jones, who didn’t make the AllStar team for the first time since 2011. Jones, 31, remains the face of the franchise and under con- tract through the 2018 season. He got off to a slow start last season, mainly because of an injury to a muscle in his side that dogged him in April and May. For the Orioles to make the postseason, he must return to All- Star form.
Depth: Jones, Rickard, *Tavarez
Right field
The Orioles reunited with free agent Trumbo, 31, who led the majors with 47 home runs in 2016. He has averaged 34 home runs per 162 games over his seven-year career and slides back in a powerful lineup. Seth Smith, a 10-year journeyman, is a reliable backup and a defensive upgrade.
Depth: Trumbo, Smith, Rickard, Alvarez, *Tavarez, *Adam Brett Walker
Designated hitter
Mancini, who made a lateseason cameo last season, could play a big role in 2017, barring any future moves. A first baseman by trade, Mancini, who turns 25 in March, has decent power. He made an immediate