Best Orioles Mark for 2004?

[bulldog]

From what I have seen so far, I think the Orioles are re-energized and have definitely made themselves more competitive. However, in the AL East the club is still probably looking at a dogfight with Toronto to finish 3rd.

I will be surprised if the team does better in 2004 as the pitching is still a huge question mark.

From the team's own timetable it appears as if 2004 is the year to regain respectability and 2005 is the year to make a move to be a contender for a playoff spot.

The Orioles could have spent money to bring in a veteran pitcher or two to try and leverage a better finish right away, but I believe Flanagan when he says the pitching prospects in the organization will start to pay dividends sooner rather than later.

But that is 2005, probably not 2004.

[SlickNick]

I see the O's finishing 85-77, right behind TOR, NY and BOS. Dont forget Tampa Bay is developing some nice talent, and lou piniella should have those kids busting their ass every day all year.

If our young pitching can help us next year, we'll be damn good. Beattie and Flanagan have said that we will be just as active in the FA market next year, which I tend to interpret as signing an All-Star outfielder (beltran, maggs), and a top of the rotation starter(will have to see who's available).

should be a much better atmosphere at camden this year. We will actually get to see some TALENT on the field. seriously though, next year is when we make our move. boston will have to re-sign 5 or 6 stars (good-luck), and the yanks will already be in their descent to mediocrity.

WHERE IS THE YANKEES SUCK SMILEY?





:high:

[galentjm]

Originally posted by SlickNick
I see the O's finishing 85-77, right behind TOR, NY and BOS. Dont forget Tampa Bay is developing some nice talent, and lou piniella should have those kids busting their ass every day all year.




I definitely think that this team is much improved over last year's squad, but I think 85-77 is a pretty optimistic prediction. You've hit the nail on the head, the key to this season is our pitching. I'll gamble to say that we easily have one of the youngest rotations in baseball. Dubose, Reily, and Ainsworth are all big question marks.

All have shown talent and promise at various levels of pro ball, but none have demonstrated consistant production at the major league level. I would be quite happy if this team went .500 or slightly over. I look at this year as a chance to see if our young pitchers are ready to make the next step, and to allow our new additions (Lopez, Tejada, Palmeiro) to gel with the rest of the team.

Apparently next season the O's will have just as much spending room, if not more, as this past offseason. Our focus in that offseason will undoubtedly be based on how our young staff performs.

[galentjm]

Originally posted by SlickNick
I see the O's finishing 85-77, right behind TOR, NY and BOS. Dont forget Tampa Bay is developing some nice talent, and lou piniella should have those kids busting their ass every day all year.




I definitely think that this team is much improved over last year's squad, but I think 85-77 is a pretty optimistic prediction. You've hit the nail on the head, the key to this season is our pitching. I'll gamble to say that we easily have one of the youngest rotations in baseball. Dubose, Reily, and Ainsworth are all big question marks.

All have shown talent and promise at various levels of pro ball, but none have demonstrated consistant production at the major league level. I would be quite happy if this team went .500 or slightly over. I look at this year as a chance to see if our young pitchers are ready to make the next step, and to allow our new additions (Lopez, Tejada, Palmeiro) to gel with the rest of the team.

Apparently next season the O's will have just as much spending room, if not more, as this past offseason. Our focus in that offseason will undoubtedly be based on how our young staff performs.

[jmwills1]

At least we have some marquee players this year. I like what we have pitching although we need an ace. If our pitching can play well, we will be better than last year. But it sucks playing in the best division in baseball, where the top 2 are world series favorites.

[TheDoyler23]

I think they'll go a few games over .500. Yes, pitching in a concern since the Orioles have one #2 starter and several 3-4-5 type of starters. I love Ponson, but he's not taking anybody to the promised land. There is so much unproven talent that it may take a year or two to see if they can pan out as pitchers. The orioles will have the money to go after any arm they want after this year (with the expiration of a LAME David Segui's contract). Respectability this year, contenters next.

[jaxskins]

This is why teams play the season because you never know. Like last year before the season started would you have picked the Marlins to even be a playoff contender having so many question marks with thier young in-experienced pitching? Your probably all are correct and we will finish 3rd or 4th in the division but something tells me were all in for a pleasant surprise!!

Look forward to Sunday night on ESPN Go Birds

[AJWatson3]

i am still sticking by my prediction of 78-84, with .500 being a best-case scenario. too much young pitching and too strong of a division to really get over the hump....

[Skins26]

I'm excited for the upcoming season, hopefully they can shock some people.

We've done a nice job now that the 1st rounders we had from being so bad are finally coming along, like Larry Bigbie, and now we are mixing them with superstars, it should be a good mix to put together a club that can win a lot of games.

Plus Ainsworth has been pitching awesome so far in spring training, and we got him for basically nothing since Ponson is back!

[TD_washingtonredskins]

Ponson is the "known" of our pitching staff. That being said, by season's end, I think both Ainsworth and one other guy will emerge as good starters.

I think next year will be the better year but I think the young staff will do better than most think.