Jeremy Conn: What's Next For The Orioles?
So you get the big guy signed to a very lucrative deal and now the Power Left Handed bat the Orioles needed is right there in the middle of the lineup. Chris Davis was a big signing for the Orioles but it's still not enough if you want to win the A.L. East. The Orioles brass is hoping they get a healthy Matt Wieters back for a full season, that Jonathon Schoop is healthy for the whole year, that Gonzalez and Tillman revert back to the form they had when the O's won the division.
The Orioles added Mark Trumbo and Hyun Soo Kim to the lineup. Trumbo is a power bat that you hope can feast at Camden yards, especially in this lineup with a ton of protection. Kim is an unknown, he is coming from the KBO and will have to make a transition to hitting against Major league pitching. The Bullpen is going to be a strength once again. Bringing back O'day and adding a Vance Worley will only make it stronger. Also I'm excited to see what Mychal Givens can do with a full season.
The Orioles still need a Right Fielder and a Fifth Starter. There have been a bunch of rumors about a possible trade with the Padres for Andrew Cashner. You still have Gallardo on the open market, but if you sign him you will have to give up the 14th pick in the draft. Matt Latos is out there and Cliff Lee is an interesting name. In my opinion all of them are risky propositions and you hope the Orioles pick the right one. I would rather have Cashner over all the guys I mentioned.
Still need to find a Right Fielder. Dexter Fowler's name has been brought up, but he also requires giving up your first round pick. He would solve the outfield problem and would be penciled in as your lead off hitter. Hes a switch hitter so he would become another everyday player and he can play all 3 outfield spots. I don't believe Fowler ends up in Baltimore, but is interesting to think about him in the lineup. I do believe you could end up seeing Chris Davis in Right Field by the end of the year and Trey Mancini at first base.
I typed a lot of "Ifs" and "Hopes" which makes me a little nervous, but I like my team and more importantly...I Like Our Guys!
