Adam Jones (10) and Chris Davis (19) are as good as any one-two offesnive punch in baseball. (Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports)
The Baltimore Orioles have high hopes for 2014 after spending more than $50 million on free agents in the first two weeks of spring training.
After a relatively quiet and puzzling start to the offseason, the Orioles finished strong and the excitement of free agent pick-ups Ubaldo Jiminez and Nelson Cruz created a buzz in Sarasota, Fla.
There are some questions surrounding the club, primarily the closer’s role and how the roster settles out to start the year with All-Star and Gold Glove-winning third baseman Manny Machado on the disabled list.
The rotation is likely the strongest it has been in a decade in Baltimore, led by Chris Tillman, the Opening Day starter who broke out in 2013, and Jimenez. The defense is arguably the best in baseball. The lineup is solid throughout and there are some established arms in the bullpen, despite some question marks.
Tommy Hunter will get the first shot at replacing Jim Johnson as the closer, but the club has internal options, including in the bullpen, rotation and minors.
The lineup is set, with the only uncertainties being the regular second baseman, how the club fills third base until Machado returns and who bats leadoff.
Chris Davis and Adam Jones pair up to give the club a formidable middle of the lineup, which Cruz and catcher Matt Wieters — needing a big offensive year in advance of his well-publicized free agency in 2015 — will help round out.
Nick Markakis is a candidate to bat leadoff after two injury-plagued seasons. He looked strong in spring training, and is in the final guaranteed year of a long-term contract. A bounce-back season would benefit both Markakis and the club.
The Orioles — at least on paper — appear to be significantly improved from a year ago, when they had the best defense in baseball, one of the best sluggers in the game in Davis, and plenty to be excited about going forward. A young core has another year of experience, but as is the case every opening day, the Orioles will stare down a challenging slate of games against a deep and talented American League East.
