Season Preview

Sporting News, The, March 27, 2000

BALTIMORE

Projected finish: 4th in the A.L. East

1999: 78-84; 4th in A.L. East.

KEY ADDITIONS: LHP Buddy Groom; LHP Chuck McElroy; C Greg Myers; RHP Mike Trombley; RHP Tim Worrell.

KEY SUBTRACTIONS: RHP Mike Fetters; LHP Doug Johns; RHP Scott Kamieniecki; LHP Jesse Orosco; IF Jeff Reboulet; LHP Arthur Rhodes.

REASON TO GET EXCITED: New manager Mike Hargrove has the juice and personality to handle a tough, veteran clubhouse. The bullpen that blew 20 save chances in the first half last year is revamped, with closer Mike Timlin the only returner. Even minus RHP Scott Erickson to start the year, the top of the rotation is solid. RHP Mike Mussina is a true ace and RHP Sidney Ponson is ready to blossom. RF Albert Belle is expected to have a huge season in his second year with Orioles after a mediocre '99.

REASON TO WORRY: The stating lineup, which was file oldest in the majors last season, is the same, only a year' older. Erickson, the team's No. 2 starter and innings-eater, had surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow and is out until early May. Now the rotation needs RHPs Jason Johnson and Pat Rapp to pick up the slack until he returns. LF B.J. Surhoff, C Charles Johnson and SS Mike Bordick are slick fielders, but the sheer age of the roster equals poor range in the field.

PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Jason Johnson is the key to the Orioles' rotation. The team can count on 18-20 wins from Mussina, around 15 front Ponson and 12-15 from Erickson (if he returns healthy). But Johnson hasn't spent a full season in the majors. With Erickson out, Johnson struts the year as the No. 3 starter, not an ideal spot for an unproven pitcher.

OUTLOOK: Had it signed RHP Aaron Sele, the team could have challenged New York for the A.L.'s top rotation. Hargrove is a big improvement at skipper, but the team still needs big years from DH Harold Baines, Belle and Surhoff and a huge improvement from a revamped bullpen.

WHEN IT'S ALL OVER: Playing in arguably the best division in baseball, it appears doubtful the Orioles can challenge the Yankees for the top spot in the A.L. East. A run at the wild card is not out of the question, but other teams, such as Boston, seem to have better pitching from top to bottom. The Orioles might improve on last year's dismal season but probably not enough to make the playoffs. --Dave Sheinin

PROSPECT WATCH / Jerry Hairston

A fiery second baseman, Hairston impressed the team during a brief call-up last season. But with Delino DeShields owed $8 million over the next two years. Hairston likely will start the season at Class AAA and wait as the Orieles showcase DeShields for a possible trade. The Hairston situation shows the problem of too many long-term contracts and no-trade clauses: It is almost impossible for a position prospect to break in.

LINEUP CARD

Name             Pos.          Comment

Anderson( )      CF      Highest on-base average (.404) of career
                          in 1999.
Bordick          SS      Slick fielder had a career year at the
                          plate last season.
Surhoff( )       LF      Career best in '99 in hits (207),
                          HRs (28) and RBIs (107).
Belle            RF      Many predict monster year at Camden
                          Yards in 2000.
Clark( )         1B      Injuries kept him out of 85 games
                          last year.
Baines( )        DH      Timeless hitter was all-star last
                          year at age 40.
Ripkeyn          3B      Will his surgically repaired back
                          hold up?
Johnson          C       Defensive wizard hopes to produce
                          more at the plate.
DeShields( )     2B      Might hit higher in order to
                          add speed to top.

ROTATION

Mussina          RH      Unquestioned ace could become free
                          agent after year.
Erickson         RH      Innings-eater is out until early
                          May after surgery.
Ponson           RH      Cocky third-year starter is poised
                          for breakthrough.
Johnson          RH      Has never pitched a full season in majors.
Rapp             RH      Journeyman could prove to be a
                          key acquisition.

SETUP

Trombley         RH      Saved 24 games for Minnesota in 1999.
(*) Ryan         LH      Rookie has nasty stuff and could
                          be future closer.

CLOSER

Timlin           RH      Awful first half in '99 (5.06),
                          blistering second (1.40).

(*) Rookie

( ) Lefthanded

(#) Switch hitter

GRADING OUT

Starting pitching   B
Relief pitching     C
Closer              C
Defense             C
Speed               D-
Run production      B 
Power               B
Manager             B 

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BOSTON

Projected finish: 2nd in the A.L. East

1999: 94-68; 2nd in A.L. East.

KEY ADDITIONS: IF Manny Alexander; OF/DH Marty Cordova; OF Carl Everett; LHP Jeff Fassero; LHP Sang-Hoon Lee.

KEY SUBTRACTIONS: OF Damon Buford; DH/IF Butch Huskey; DH/1B Reggie Jefferson; LHP Kent Mercker; IF Lou Merloni; RHP Pat Rapp.