As of this past Tuesday, Brian Roberts is a member of the New York Yankees. By signing with them, he ended his 15 year tenure within the Baltimore Orioles organization. Today on ESPN Sweetspot Network Orioles blog, Camden Depot, I take a look back at both the good times and the bad during Roberts’ days in Charm City.
Direct Link to Article –> Looking Back on the Brian Roberts Era
Yesterday the Orioles made the signing of right-handed relief pitcher Ryan Webb official, after Webb passed his physical. Webb signed a 2-year, $4.5 million contract with the team. Other than the Jim Johnson trade and signing a bunch of AAAA players (guys who are too good for AAA, but not good enough to be a major league regular), the signing of Webb has been the most significant addition for Baltimore so far this offseason, which seems to be leaving most of the Baltimore fan base a little restless as numerous free agents are off the board and the winter meetings are beginning to wind down. Since Webb has played his entire major league career in San Diego and Miami, most of you have probably never seen him pitch. With that in mind, I am providing a first look of Ryan Webb over at ESPN Swetspot Network Orioles blog, Camden Depot. He may be their first “major” free agent signing, but hopefully he’s not their last as the team has multiple holes to fill.
Direct Link to Article –> A First Look at Ryan Webb
The Orioles have a hole to fill at second base during the offseason. That’s not exactly news. On a rare Saturday post over (at least for me) at ESPN Sweetspot Network Orioles blog Camden Depot, I am taking a look at teams that have a surplus of second basemen who may be willing trade partners to the Orioles. The choices range from established veterans who may be expensive, in terms of prospects and salary commitments to former top prospects (or less established players) that may be a little cheaper, but come with a lot more risk. Should the Orioles actually trade for any of these guys? As always, it will depend on what they would have to give up to get them.
Direct Link to Article –> Scouring the League for Second Base Surplus
During the off-season, ESPN Sweetspot Network Orioles blog, Camden Depot has had some excellent analysis regarding rumors and the potential moves the Orioles could make this offseason, and if you’ve been paying attention at all, Baltimore has been involved in a lot of rumors in this young offseason. I haven’t heard his name specifically mentioned in any connection to the Orioles, but today at Camden Depot I took a look at whether the Orioles should consider signing free agent center fielder Chris Young to be their starting left fielder in the 2014 season.
Direct Link to Article –> Chris Young: Starting Left Fielder?
Over the past month, the writers at Camden Depot took on the task of analyzing the 2013 Baltimore Orioles on a position by position basis, which was followed with our own suggestions to make the 2014 better. The following are links to each write up.
Starting Pitching (Nate Delong): Part 1 and Part 2
Right Handed Relievers (Stuart Wallace)
Left Handed Relievers (Stuart Wallace)
Catcher (Jon Shepherd)
First Base (Jon Shepherd)
Second Base (Joe Reisel): Part 1 and Part 2
Third Base (Stuart Wallace)
Shortstop (Nate Delong)
Left Field (Matt Kremnitzer)
Center Field (Matt Kremnitzer)
Right Field (Matt Kremnitzer)
Designated Hitter (Joe Reisel)
Bench (Joe Reisel)
Conclusion (Jon Shepherd)
Everyone did a great job on these posts and there is a lot of good information here, so I suggest you check it out. Feel free to leave your own suggestions as to what the Orioles should do this offseason by commenting in the posts at Camden Depot (preferred) or here on this site.
The “Making the Orioles a Champion in 2014” series at ESPN Sweetspot Network Orioles blog, Camden Depot rolls on. This time I take a look at the shortstop position, which has been occupied by J.J. Hardy since 2011. Hardy has been solid as a rock since joining Baltimore, but should the team look to trade him in the offseason and allow Manny Machado to move back to his natural position? Check out my post on Camden Depot and find out.
Direct Link to Article –> Making the Orioles a Champion in 2014: Shortstop
The Orioles offense has struggled mightily in the month of September, and recently there has been talk that one of the problems with their offense is that it relies too much on the home run. Today, I have a post over on the ESPN Sweetspot Network Orioles blog, Camden Depot that takes a look at whether the Orioles hit too many home runs, which when you read it out loud, sounds pretty absurd.
Direct Link to Article –> Do the Orioles Hitters Have a Home Run Problem?
I have a post up this morning on the ESPN Sweetspot Network Orioles blog, Camden Depot taking a look at the current AL wild card standings and the chances for the Orioles to make the playoffs. Even though the Orioles won last night to pull just one game behind Texas for the second wild card spot, their playoff percentage (as determined by ESPN) only sits at 17.2%. But should they be higher than that?
Direct Link to Article –> Are the Orioles Playoff Chances Dead?
Orioles Proving Ground 