STATE OF THE ORIOLES

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UPDATE 1/24/10 - 9:41 AM PST
The team has agreed on a one-year, $6M deal to bring shortstop Miguel Tejada back, this time as the team's starting third baseman. The move likely shifts Garrett Atkins to first base with Luke Scott becoming the DH. Felix Pie would come off of the bench as the fourth outfielder, although he could quickly find himself in the starting lineup if Atkins doesn't regain his pre-'09 form.

In four seasons with Baltimore from 2004-2007, the 35 year-old Tejada made three AL All-Star teams and had career highs in OPS (.894), HR's (34) and RBI's (150) in '04, doubles (50) in '05, and batting average (.330) in '06. Last season for the Astros, the former AL MVP hit .313 with just 14 HR's but led the NL in doubles (46) and knocked in 86 runs. One of the more durable players in the majors (played 162 games in six consecutive seasons), Tejada will be playing third base for the first time as a big leaguer.

UPDATE 12/16/09 - 9:22 PM PST
The O's continue to make improvements to their ballclub, this time by adding one of the top relievers on the market, lefty Mike Gonzalez, and former Rockie 3B Garrett Atkins, who was non-tendered last week.

The 31 year-old Gonzalez, who agreed to a two-year deal worth at least $12M, is coming off of his most dominant season as a pro (2.42 ERA, 10 Sv, 16 holds, 90 K in 74.1 IP) and will take over closer duties for the O's.

Atkins, 30, was not offered a contract by the Rockies after finishing 2009 with a .226 BA and just 9 HR's. Just three years removed from his best season as a pro (.965 OPS in '06; 15th in MVP voting), Atkins will try to rebound in another hitter-friendly ballpark in Baltimore. I have him projected as the starter at 3B, although he could also see AB's at 1B.

UPDATE 12/10/09 - 10:29 PM PST
Veteran Kevin Millwood (13-10, 3.67 ERA in 31 starts) was acquired in a deal with the Texas Rangers, adding 375 career starts and 155 career wins to a rotation that is projected to include 24 year-old Brad Bergesen, 22 year-old Brian Matusz, and 21 year-old Chris Tillman. However, the soon-to-be 35 year-old posted the lowest strikeout ratio (5.6 per 9 IP) and lowest K/BB ratio (1.73 K/BB) of his career.

UPDATE 11/29/09 - 11:47 AM PST
LINEUP - The O's lineup is stacked with talented young players, starting with All-Star CF Adam Jones (.277 BA, 19 HR, 70 RBI, 10 SB in 119 games) RF Nick Markakis (.293 BA, 18 HR, 45 2B, 101 RBI), LF Nolan Reimold (.279 BA, 15 HR, 45 RBI in 104 games), and catcher Matt Wieters (.288 BA, 9 HR, 43 RBI in 96 games), the #1 prospect in baseball prior to his promotion in 2009. Veterans Brian Roberts (.283 BA, 16 HR, 56 2B, 79 RBI, 30 SB) and Cesar Izturis (.256 BA, 12 SB in 114 games) are strong up the middle and 31 year-old 1B/DH Luke Scott (25 HR, 77 RBI) provides some pop in the middle of the lineup. Ty Wigginton (.273 BA, 11 HR, 41 RBI in 122 AB's) is currently penciled in at 3B, although the team could look for a short-term upgrade this winter as one of the team's top hitting prospects, Josh Bell, should be ready to take over at the hot corner in 2011. Felix Pie, who was a top prospect for the Cubs before they gave up on him before 2009, appeared to finally put it together over the second half of last season when he hit .290 with 7 HR and 21 RBI in 48 games. He'll serve as the 4th outfielder and should get plenty of AB's as the DH.

ROTATION - Jeremy Guthrie (10-17, 5.04 ERA in 33 starts) returns as the #1 but it could be just a matter of time before lefty Brian Matusz is the ace of the staff. The 22 year-old blew through the minors and went 5-2 with a 4.63 ERA in 8 starts after a promotion to the big leagues. There is no shortage of young prospects that have arrived or are close to arriving. However, the only one to have success in 2009 was twenty-four year-old Brad Bergesen, who went 7-5 with a 3.43 ERA in 19 starts before going down for the season with a bruised shin in late July. As it stands right now, Chris Tillman (2-5, 5.40 ERA in 12 starts), 21, will battle Jason Berken (6-12, 6.54 ERA in 24 starts) and David Hernandez (4-10, 5.56 ERA in 19 starts), for the final two spots in the rotation while Jake Arrieta (11-11, 3.40 ERA in 28 starts between AA and AAA) and Troy Patton (7-5, 3.83 ERA in 20 starts between AA and AAA) have an outside chance to make the team out of spring training. Koji Uehara, who made just 12 starts (2-4, 4.05 ERA) because of a hamstring injury and elbow tendinitis in '09, is expected to pitch out of the 'pen in 2010.

BULLPEN - Jim Johnson had success as a setup man early in the season but wasn't particularly good after taking over as the closer for George Sherrill, who was traded to the Dodgers at the trading deadline. The 26 year-old saved 9 games in 13 chances and posted a 5.79 ERA after the All-Star break. Former closer Chris Ray is still on the roster, although he struggled in '09 after missing all of 2008 recovering from Tommy John surgery. Kam Mickolio is expected to take on a bigger role in the 'pen but he has just 10 career minor league saves. Uehara will likely be the guy asked to close out games in 2010 unless the team can sign or acquire a closer this winter. The 34 year-old has some experience as a closer while pitching in Japan. Lefty Alberto Castillo (2.25 ERA in 20 games) and side-armer Cla Meredith (3.77 ERA in 29 games) should figure into the bullpen mix. Also keep an eye out for 24 year-old Luis Lebron, who was just added to the 40-man roster and is coming off of an impressive minor league season (2.54 ERA, 20 Sv, 60.1 IP, 28 H, 91 K between HiA and AA).