The Orioles made a significant effort over the offseason to shore up multiple positions. The team boosted its starting pitching depth by adding Shane Baz, Chris Bassitt and Zach Eflin. Baltimore added Ryan Helsley and Andrew Kittredge to help in the late innings. The O’s added plenty of power with Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward, and the addition of Blaze Alexander should help the team survive an injury to Jackson Holliday.
All of that being said, there’s always a reason to worry in Birdland. The bullpen
is particularly thin on established big leaguers after Helsley and Kittredge. The rotation, while improved, is still banking on Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish to stay healthy at the top.
The Orioles have three power hitters that play the same position in Alonso, Ryan Mountcastle and Coby Mayo. Both catchers will need at bats as the DH, and Mayo could find his way to other positions (yikes). Recently announced injuries to Holliday and Jordan Westburg put a dent in Baltimore’s best unit, while Leody Taveras remains the only back up to Colton Cowser in center field.
Hope springs eternal in spring training, and there’s plenty of reason for optimism right now. That being said, what position makes you the most nervous in the middle of February?
