February 08, 2009|By Jeff Zrebiec | Jeff Zrebiec,jeff.zrebiec@baltsun.com
"The way I look at it is these guys have a tremendous opportunity," Kranitz said. "They have to see what's in front of them. Somebody needs to step up. It's not just by performance but how they walk into spring training. Did they do work in the offseason? Are they mentally prepared? Are they physically prepared? We'll know right away. I think it's going to be quite a competition."
The Orioles' bullpen will be a little easier to sort out and stands, at least on paper, to be one of the team's strengths. Trembley, who still is deciding whether to carry 12 or 13 pitchers, said he could use George Sherrill, Chris Ray and Jim Johnson interchangeably from the seventh to ninth innings, though Sherrill is in line to get most of the save chances.
Dennis Sarfate will return as a bridge to the bullpen's back end, while Hendrickson is likely to settle into the swingman role. With Baez and left-handed specialist Jamie Walker due a combined $10 million in the coming season, they would probably have to pitch their way off the roster. However, in jettisoning Jay Gibbons and absorbing the remaining $11.9 million on his contract last year, the Orioles showed that money won't always be the decisive factor in roster decisions.
"Obviously, there are a lot of factors that are considered, but our mind-set going in is: Let's see if we can get the best guys in the best roles," Trembley said. "The biggest factor will be ability and what the guy brings to the club. It's an interesting dilemma, but I think it's a good one to have."
key dates
Saturday: Pitchers and catchers report to Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Next Sunday: First workout for pitchers and catchers
Feb. 18: Position players report
to Fort Lauderdale
Feb. 19: First full-team workout
Feb. 25: First Grapefruit League game,
vs. Mets at Fort Lauderdale Stadium, 1:05 p.m.
March 4: Exhibition, Orioles vs. Dominican Republic (WBC) at Fort Lauderdale Stadium, 1:05 p.m.
April 2: Last Grapefruit League game,
vs. Mets at Port St. Lucie, 1:10 p.m.
April 4: FanFest at Camden Yards, 10:30 a.m.; exhibition, Orioles vs. Nationals at Nationals Park, 6:05 p.m.
April 6: Opening Day, Yankees at Orioles, 4:05 p.m.
arms aplenty
The Orioles will have 37 pitchers in training camp, far more than any other team in the American League East and four more than they brought to spring training last year. A week before the first workout for pitchers and catchers at Fort Lauderdale Stadium, only about half of the team's 12- or 13-man pitching staff appears set. Here's a look at what's shaping up to be the top competition this spring.
starters
THE LOCKS
Jeremy Guthrie (R)
* Last year: 10-12, 3.63 ERA
* Primed to start in the opener against former teammate CC Sabathia.
Koji Uehara (R)
* Last year: 6-5, 3.81 in Japan
* Most clubs saw him as a reliever, but he'll likely be O's No. 2 starter.
On the bubble
Matt Albers (R)
* Last year: 3-3, 3.49
* Team officials will watch him and hold their breath, hoping his shoulder holds up.
Brad Hennessey (R)
* Last year: 1-2, 7.81
* Digestive problems cost him weight and velocity, but he's back on track.
Rich Hill (L)
* Last year: 1-0, 4.12
* Will a change of scenery, less-pressurized environment cure his wild ways?
Radhames Liz (R)
* Last year: 6-6, 6.72
* Has explosive stuff but less polish than most of his rotation competitors.
Troy Patton (L)
* Last year: Did not pitch
* Likely ticketed for the minors after shoulder surgery in 2008.
John Parrish (L)
* Last year: 1-1, 4.04
* Returns to O's as a hopeful starter, though he's going to need a good spring.
Hayden Penn (R)
* Last year: 6-7, 4.79 in Triple-A
* Without options, Penn is fighting for a rotation spot, future with the club.
David Pauley (R)
* Last year: 14-4, 3.55 in Triple-A
* Had no chance of cracking Red Sox's rotation. His odds are better here.
Alfredo Simon (R)
* Last year: 0-0, 6.23
* That he managed to stay on the 40-man roster all offseason says something.
Chris Waters (L)
* Last year: 3-5, 5.01
* A dark horse, though no one expected him to shut out the Angels in O's debut either.
Others
* Right-handers: Jake Arrieta, Brad Bergesen, David Hernandez, Chorye Spoone, Chris Tillman
* Left-handers: Brian Matusz
relievers
The locks
Mark Hendrickson (L)*
* Last year: 7-8, 5.45
* In a perfect world, he would be a swing man, but O's might not have that luxury.
Jim Johnson (R)
* Last year: 2-4, 2.23
* Very hard to dispute he was Orioles' best pitcher last season.
Chris Ray (R)
* Last year: Did not pitch
* Watching him let loose a 95 mph fastball will be a welcome site.
Dennis Sarfate (R)
* Last year: 4-3, 4.74
* Overpowering when he's on, but consistency remains his biggest issue.
George Sherrill (L)
* Last year: 3-5, 4.73
* All-Star will likely be asked to anchor what could be a solid bullpen.
On the bubble
Danys Baez (R) *
* Last year: Did not pitch
* Wants to start, but making the roster probably a better short-term goal.
Brian Bass (R) *
* Last year: 4-4, 4.84
* Showed flashes last year to put him in the thick of bullpen discussion.
Bob McCrory (R)
* Last year: 0-0, 15.63
