Baltimore Orioles

Contributor: Tim Daloisio, mvn.com/mlb-redsox

2007 Record: 69-93

2007 Summary: There aren't many bright spots in Baltimore's 2007 campaign to look back on. The Orioles struggled to 69 wins finishing in fourth place ahead of only the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the American League East.

A less than stellar offense was lead by rising star Nick Markakis (.300/23/112/18), while Brian Roberts (50 SB) and Corey Patterson (37 SB) reeked havoc on the basepaths. Even with Erik Bedard and Jeremy Guthrie anchoring the pitching staff with sub-4.00 ERAs, the Orioles pitching staff had the second worse team ERA (5.17) in the American League and the second worst bullpen in all of baseball.

2008 Key Additions: By jettisoning their best pitcher, Erik Bedard and a franchise player, Miguel Tejada, the Orioles made a statement about their future. Adam Jones and Luke Scott will join Nick Markakis in a young talented outfield in Baltimore. Adam Jones has the potential to become an All Star center fielder and will certainly be relied on to develop on the job in Baltimore this season.

2008 Key Losses: The best additions of the off season were not without cost. The Orioles start the year without Erik Bedard, Miguel Tejada, Corey Patterson, Jay Payton, and Jay Gibbons. Orioles' management took the right steps forward in the off season to rebuild for the future of the organization. Losing this amount of production from 2007 will however make it difficult for the Orioles to improve in 2008.

2008 Starting Lineup:
1. Brian Roberts 2B
2. Melvin Mora 3B
3. Nick Markakis RF
4. Kevin Millar 1B
5. Aubrey Huff DH
6. Ramon Hernandez C
7. Luke Scott LF
8. Adam Jones CF
9. Luis Hernandez SS

2008 Starting Rotation: Jeremy Guthrie, Adam Loewen, Daniel Cabrera, Steve Traschel, Brian Burres

2008 Closer: George Sherrill

2008 MVP: Nick Markakis should continue to develop into one of the more dangerous all around hitters in the American League in 2008. A .300/20/20/100 season and an All-Star appearance is realistic for Markakis this season.

The Orioles will be successful if: The Orioles would consider seventy five wins a success this season in a rebuilding season. That being said, they have very little chance to compete in the A.L. East in 2008 for anything but staying out of the cellar. In order to do that, they need continued development from a core of young starters with potential. Look for Adam Loewen to realize his potential this season should he stay healthy.

2008 Season Prediction: The Orioles will have to fight for every win they get this season and they won't reach seventy of them. While some teams will be looking to approach the one hundred win mark, the Orioles will be closer to one hundred on the other side of the docket.

Standings Prediction:
1. Boston Red Sox
2. New York Yankees
3. Toronto Blue Jays
4. Tampa Bay Rays
5. Baltimore Orioles