April 2, 2006

A New Season Begins

The Orioles will begin their 2006 campaign on Monday with a new manager and a new sense of optimism.  Behind new manager Sam Perlozzo, the Orioles will try to put together their first winning season in eight years. 

Additions to the O’s:

Kris Benson (RHP) – (10-8 w-l, 4.16 E.R.A, in 28 starts for the Mets in 2005)

Brought in to be a solid middle of the rotation pitcher.  Should be a benefactor of Leo Mazzone’s addition.

Ramon Hernandez (C)- (.290 BA, 12HR, 58 RBI’S in 99 games for the Padres in 2005)

Known within baseball for calling a good game behind the plate, works well with young pitchers, and is in top third offensively for cathers.

LaTroy Hawkins (RHP)- (2-8 w-l, 3.83 E.R.A., in 66 games for Cubs and Giants last season)   

Acquired in a trade for Steve Kline in the offseason.  Provides a solid veteran right-hander in the bullpen.  Has struggled throughout his career when given the closer job, but as the primary set-up man for youngster Chris Ray, should help out the O’s quite a bit in the eight inning. 

Corey Patterson (OF)- (.213 BA, 13HR, 34 RBI’S in 126 games for the Cubs in 2005)

Once the top prospect in the Cubs organization, the Orioles acquired Patterson in the off-season for a few minor league pitchers.  They hope Patterson can regain his form of 2004 when he had 24 HRS and 79 RBI’s.  On the good side, he has a world of talent with speed included.  On the down side, he strikes out an awful lot, therefore although he seems like a perfect fit for the 2 spot in the lineup, he doesn’t advance runners well enough.

Jeff Conine (1B/OF)- (303. BA, 3 HR, 33 RBI’S in 131 games for the Marlins in 2005)

Older veteran who played for the O’s from 1999-2003.  Brought in by the front office to provide much needed leadership and professionalism.  Although some skills have dimishied what the most important thing for Conine is to help within the clubhouse.  Should receive playing time between first base and left field, especially against left-handed pitching.

Kevin Millar (1B/OF)- (272. BA, 9 HR, 50 RBI’S in 134 games for the Red Sox in 2005)

Along with Conine brought in for stability and accountability in the clubhouse.  After last season’s problems with Palmiero and Sosa, the front office wants Millar to keep things loose in the dugout and on the field.  Known from his years with the Red Sox as a cowboy, he does have the ability to hit to all fields, and should bounce back after a poor season last year.

Projected Opening Day Lineup and my projected stats for 2006:

1.      Brian Roberts 2B            (.314 BA, 18HR, 73RBI, in 2005, .288, 15HR, 69RBI in 2006)

2.      Luis Matos CF               (.280. BA, 4HR, 32RBI, in 2005, .279, 10HR, 58RBI in 2006)

3.      Melvin Mora 3B              (.283 BA, 27HR, 88RBI, in 2005, .285, 23HR, 90RBI in 2006)

4.      Miguel Tejada SS           (.304 BA, 26HR, 98RBI, in 2005, .315, 30HR, 110RBI)

5.      Jay Gibbons RF              (.277 BA, 26HR, 79RBI, in 2005, .275, 18HR, 70RBI)

6.      Kevin Millar 1B               (.272 BA, 9HR, 50RBI, in 2005, .290, 15HR, 74RBI)

7.      Jeff Conine LF               (.303 BA, 3HR, 33RBI, in 2005, .288, 10HR, 55RBI)

8.      Javy Lopez DH              (.279 BA, 15HR, 48RBI, in 2005, .302, 25HR, 85RBI)

9.      Ramon Hernandez C       (.290 BA, 12HR, 58RBI, in 2005, .288, 17HR, 74RBI)

Bench:  David Newhan (if/of), Chris Gomez (if) Corey Patterson (of), Nick Marakis (rookie, of), Raul Chavez (c)

Starting Rotation:                                 

1.      Rodrigo Lopez      (15-12 in 2005,  14-11 in 2006)

2.      Erik Bedard         (6-8  in 2005,  15-9  in 2006)

3.      Kris Benson         (10-8  in 2005,  15-10  in 2006)

4.      Daniel Cabrera     (10-13 in 2005,  16-10 in 2006)

5.      Bruce Chen         (13-10 in 2005,  8-12  in 2006)

My projected finish:

Orioles: 80-82 Third Place in AL EAST

1.      New York Yankees

2.      Boston Red Sox

3.      Baltimore Orioles

4.      Toronto Blue Jays

5.      Tampa Bay Devil Rays

February 28, 2006

Friends Reunited

I am please to write to you, as this is my first article for SportzNutz Orioles page.  I am a long time O’s fan, and a believer in the Birds.  Soon I’ll have my email up and working and I hope to get some fan mail to post.  Let’s get to the Orioles latest news.

Spring Training in Ft. Lauderdale has begun and the Orioles camp begins with new enthusiasm and optimism.  New manager Sam Perlozzo takes over as skipper, with his life long friend, legendary pitching coach Leo Mazzone at his side.  In the off-season Mazzone left fourteen straight division titles behind with the Atlanta Braves, and headed north to Baltimore to accept a new challenge.  In doing so, he will try to tap into the previous raw potential that Orioles pitchers have had in recent seasons.  Pitchers Daniel Cabrera, Erik Bedard, Kris Benson, Rodrigo Lopez, and Bruce Chen should benefit from Mazzone’s straightforward approach.  Mazzone encourages his pitchers to work down and away, throw strikes, and continue to change speeds on pitchers.  Mazzone believes its not how hard you throw, rather where you throw your pitches, and what kind of different pitches you can throw.  A fastball needs to be accompanied by an off-speed pitch (change-up, curveball, slider, sinker) to be fully able to deceive the hitters.

Even with the massive amount of young talented pitchers the Orioles have, Mazzone has a tough job ahead of him.  The always powerful New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have improved their clubs in the off-season, and a free spending newcomer has jumped into the mix, the Toronto Blue Jays.  As the Birds head to camp, even with their new manager and renowned pitching coach, the O’s are still predicted to finish fourth at best of the five teams in the powerful AL East. 

Thanks for reading, check back for the next Spring Training Orioles Article Soon.  

Next O’s post:

          -Orioles transactions throughout the busy off-season

          -Orioles non-roster invitees – including some former All-Stars

          -Brian Roberts health update