Baltimore Orioles 2002 Season Preview

by Adam J. Ulrey

Orioles are in for a long season!

The Orioles won the AL East back in 1997 and since then have gone from good to bad to down right horrifying. This is clearly a team without any direction and since they let former GM Pat Gillick walk in 1997 they have never recovered. Last year for example this team needed to rebuild and start over, but instead went out and overpaid for veterans Mike Bordick and David Segui. That did nothing for this team except keep younger players from getting better. Now they are paying for their mishandling of personnel and letting their farm system go to pot. It's been forever since they've brought up anybody from their minor league system who made any kind of impact. This year they will have trouble staying out of last place in their division.

And what did do they do this winter but go out and sign free agent Marty Cordova for nine million dollars instead of giving the job to Luis Matos, one of their up and coming young players. Right before spring training they traded for Chris Singleton to lead off and play centerfield. Singleton is not the answer to Baltimore's leadoff problem, as his three season career OBP is only .319. So---those are their big off-season moves. Just gives you shivers, doesn't it?

Jay Gibbons (15 HRs in 225 ABs) will start the season at 1B. He has the potential to be a surprising power hitter. There is talk that second baseman Jerry Hairston Jr. could also lead off, but he only has a lifetime OBP of .316. He's one of the few guys on this club with some good wheels and will be counted on to run often. Mike Bordick will return at the ripe old age of 36 to play shortstop. Don't expect much from him on the offensive side; he's starting because of his glove. Over at third base will be Tony Batista, who they got last year when Toronto decided he wasn't the answer for them at third base. He'll supply some pop with his bat, but is a very undisciplined hitter who strikes out too much.

This is also a very weak infield defensively, which won't give the young pitchers much confidence. Catching will be the veteran Brook Fordyce and Fernando Lunar.

Baltimore's outfield will have two new members, but I personally believe they took a step backward. Adding Cordova and Singleton to play with Jeff Conine will also make for one of the weakest outfields in the AL. Cordova had a comeback year (.307, 20, 69)for the Indians, but he was surrounded by one of the best hitting teams in baseball. It will be an entirely different story with the Orioles. Cordova is now surrounded by a team of misfits. Conine was the one bright spot in Baltimore's offensive gloom last year, as he hit .311 with 14 homers and led the team with 97 RBI's. David Segui will occupy the DH spot.

The starting pitching will be one of the worst and also one of the youngest in the Show. The only decent starter they have is big Sidney Ponson, yet all you hear about him is how they want to trade him. Ponson was just 5-10 with an ERA of 4.94 and he's the staff ace. He will be followed in the rotation by Jason Johnson (10-12, 4.09 ERA), Josh Towers (8-10, 4.49 ERA), Rick Bauer (0-5, 4.64) and either Calvin Maduro or Scott Erickson as the fifth starter. This will not get the job done and will make for a very long season.

The bullpen has a bunch of young and unproven arms, but at least they are going with some of their youngsters. The closer will be former starter Willis Roberts (6 saves), but don't be surprised if you see Scott Erickson in that role, as he might not be ready for the rotation coming out of spring. From 1995 through 1999, the Man With The Black Cleats was 73-54 with over 200 innings each year, but he slumped in 2000 as his arm troubles began and he missed all of last year. At 34 he will be trying to make a comeback. Buddy Groom will help set-up from the left side along with B.J. Ryan. The rest of the bullpen is the "Who the hell are these guys?" crew with Jorge Julio, John Parrish, Kris Foster, John Bale and Chris Brock. They will all be used a lot, as the starting pitching is so bad.

There's not much if you're an Oriole fan to root for except maybe new management. They have allowed a storied franchise to be run into the ground through bad personnel moves and a blatant neglect for the farm system. This is one of the few teams that is essentially eliminated before spring training is over.

Ten Years Ago...

Strengths: Cal Ripken: Best attitude and work ethic in baseball. Ben McDonald: highly touted rook 2 years ago-has been fragile and not much of a gamer. Appears healthy, not trying to carry entire load. 95+ fastball and back-breaking slider. Mike Mussina-developed quietly in Mac's shadow with no expectations. Reports say better than Mac, challenges inside with 90+ fastball. Future Cy. Rick Sutcliffe: Acquired winter, reliable & unflappable SP to lead youngsters. 18 wins. Storm Davis: Reacquired. Has old O's work ethic like Palmer, smart, gamer, 15 wins. Jose Mesa: Could be best P, can't get over the hump. Pouts & argues with management. If Oates can light fire, watch out. Relievers: Flanagan: Revived at 40, old school. Williamson: Great mid-relief. Olson-closer, almost unhittable split-finger. New pitching coach: Dick Bosman brings kids along slowly, highly respected. Glenn Davis: Reunited w/ former foster brother Storm. If recovered from '91 neck & shoulder injury could hit 30 hr+ & .280. He is key-hits behind Rip.

Weaknesses: No good backup C to C. Hoiles. If he goes down, Oates may have to don equipment. No true ML 2B-Billy will probably start, brilliant fielder, no .hit. Hit .290 once, a strong offensive year could spark team. No true leadoff-Brady Anderson will probably be used, doesn't hit for average. 3B is suspect-Gomez is no Brooks!

Perspective: Weaver tradition is being revived under Oates. Strong, gutsy pitching; wonderful defense, and fundamentals. Rip is no fiery leader, but dedicated to winning.

Outlook: If 96 wins takes AL East, look for Baltimore.

Things to watch for: New ballpark at Camden Yards-I mourn for 33rd St., but they say this is modeled on other inner-city parks. Grass field. Dimensions built for Cal--short right field fence, big left field, so Left Fielder has to shade foul line. Rip's line drives will fall like leaves in October. How do you pitch him now? Inside to his power or away so he reaches the right field wall?