MLB 30 Teams Preview: Baltimore Orioles

[MoFlo]

Manager:

Buck Showalter (17th season overall: 1163-1095... 6th season with O's: 281-262)

Last Season:

85-77 (3rd in AL East, T8th in AL)

-Back to back 80+ win seasons for the 1st time since 1996-97
-Most RS since 2008
-Allowed less than 800 runs in back to back seasons for the 1st time since 1997-98

Key Additions:

-RP Brad Brach
-OF Nelson Cruz
-RP Edgmer Escalona
-SP Ubaldo Jimenez
-RP Ryan Webb
-2B Jemile Weeks

Key Departures:

-SP Scott Feldman
-SP Jason Hammel
-RP Jim Johnson
-OF Nate McLouth
-OF Michael Morse
-2B Brian Roberts
-RP Francisco Rodriguez

Projected Lineup:

RF Nick Markakis
3B Ryan Flaherty (3B Manny Machado will open the season on the DL)
1B Chris Davis
CF Adam Jones
DH Nelson Cruz
C Matt Wieters
SS J.J. Hardy
LF David Lough
2B Jonathan Schoop

Projected Rotation:

Chris Tillman
Ubaldo Jimenez
Wei-Yin Chen
Miguel Gonzalez
Bud Norris

Projected Bullpen:

Tommy Hunter
Darren O'Day
Brian Matusz
Ryan Webb
Evan Meek

Best Case:

Even best case wouldn't win them the division here. Ubaldo proves he's not a mirage & the rotation solidifies as a result, putting it together with a potent lineup that doesn't miss a beat with Machado out to start the season and flirts with that top spot in the division & a playoff berth the entire season, eventually claiming a postseason spot.

Worst Case:

The lineup isn't chopped liver, but struggles a bit with Machado out to start the season. Ubaldo gets back to his old habits without Mickey Callaway & the rotation struggles as a result, and the O's struggle to a 75 win season or so.

Prediction:

The O's pitching has its ups & downs, the lineup hits full stride once Machado returns, and the O's flirt with the 90 win mark & a 3rd place finish in the crowded AL East.​