As things stand right now in late January, even after $214 million in free agent contracts, the Baltimore Orioles roster in 2016 may not look dramatically different than it did a year ago.
There is still time for additional moves and signings, but the Orioles might not have the stomach … or dollars … to do much more. My guess is that additional acquisitions will be in the category of bounce-back types of players rather than household names with high expectations.
I have contended all along forJustin Morneau, though this would pretty much moveChris Davisto right field most of the time. The Orioles don’t seem enthused by that prospect. And I would take a flyer onMat Latos, knowing that it may well not work out, but he was very good not very long ago. But these are discussions for other days and articles.
Who would have thought at the end of the season that Chris Davis,Matt Wieters, and Darren O’Day would all be returning? The better bet would have been onGerardo ParraandSteve Pearce, with maybe O’Day as the highest signing.
Having three free agents return, along with few trades, means that the Orioles do not appear to be a team headed for an entirely new look or makeover. A couple of years ago it was certainly anticipated that a window was closing after 2015 with a new one opening in 2016. In fact, there may not be more than even a handful of new faces.
A few days agowe wrote a first shot at predicting the opening day 25-man roster. Nobody ever gets that 100% correct in January, but honestly, most all of the names we laid out simply have to be a part of the introductions on April 4thversus the Twins.
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We know the catchers, four of the five starters, the entire infield and DH, two-thirds of the outfield, and all but one of the relievers. As well, the backup infielder will beRyan Flaherty, and we can presume that the Rule 5 drafteeJoey Rickardwill be on the team. AssumingDylan Bundymakes a healthy comeback and thatNolan ReimoldandHenry Urrutiaare kept (or evenJimmy Paredesinstead of Urrutia), there are few new faces.
It could well be that the only new-to-Baltimore players on that day will be Rickard,Mark Trumbo,Hyeon-soo Kim, andVance Worley(who I would project at this point as the fifth starter). That’s it, just four new faces (or five if you count Bundy).
Whereas Kim and Trumbo probably combine to make the Orioles a little bit better at DH and corner outfield, Vance Worley or any other imaginable person would not seem to cover for the loss ofWei-Yin Chen, let alone improve the team weakness at starting pitcher.
There is no way forward that does not include a necessary bounce-back season from numerous players. Otherwise, another feature in 2016 that will look like 2015 is the .500 record, if that. But I am cautiously optimistic that this can indeed happen and I look forward to seeing this team take the field. Although, that anticipation may have as much to do with the 3+ feet of snow out my window right now as it does anything else.
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