2008 Woodie Awards
Lots of Promise for Orioles, Fans This Year
Matt Satterfield
- Page 1 of 1
Spring is just around the corner, and for Baltimore Orioles fans it can't come soon enough. Are the Orioles going to have a good season this year? Or are fans just hoping eternal for a good season like in the mid-90s?
The Orioles started spring training in Florida in late February. While training and practicing for the upcoming season, the roster is also arranged. There were a lot of questions before the season began that will hopefully be answered by the season's first games.
One of the biggest problems the organization faces is to make sure the players are happy with their contracts. So far, most of the players have come through, including shortstop Miguel Tejada (10) and Brian Roberts (1) who signed a two-year agreement.
Another obstacle this season is pitcher Chris Benson's injury. Benson is out for the season due to an injured shoulder that requires surgery.
The Orioles also signed pitcher Steve Trachsel (41), from the New York Mets, to replace Benson.
This year is the season for young players to prove their worth. Take, for instance, pitcher Daniel Cabrera (35) who has a lot of power behind his pitch and an ERA of 4.74 last season and an all-time ERA 4.75. Hopefully with the coaching skills of Leo Mazzone, Cabrera will be able to add more games started (GS) to his currently 82.
Adam Loewen (29), another pitcher, who has previously filled in for injured players, could have a permanent spot on the roster if he continues to play well. Loewen earned an ERA of 5.37 last season, which was his first.
For field players, the Orioles obtained outfielder Jay Payton (16) from the Oakland Athletics. Payton had 78 runs last year on 165 hits. Cory Patterson (17) proved his worth to the Orioles last season by having 75 runs and 128 hits. Nick Markakis (21) did pretty well last year as a rookie in the right field. The 24-year-old averaged 72 runs and 143 hits last season.
The Orioles need to make shortstop Tejada (10) happy. If Tejada is happy, everyone will be happy. Tejada has made several comments to the press about being concerned with the "team's direction" and has frequently referred to the team's losing streak.
There were rumors of Tejada being traded, but Tejada said to Orioles Vice President Jim Duquette that he wished to stay with the Orioles "the rest of his career."
The official season for the Orioles began on April 2 against the Minnesota Twins. Opening day at Camden Yards is April 9. The Orioles will play the Detroit Tigers at 3:05 p.m. Tickets for opening day (while still available) are $60 and can be obtained via Ticketmaster or by calling the box office.
Satterfield, senior staff writer for The UB Post, can be reached at matthew.satterfield@ubalt.edu.