With Opening Day two weeks from tomorrow, I am going to provide my best guestimation on the O’s roster.

I will compare that guestimation with the 25 man roster I personally believe should be coming North.

First the roster, I believe the O’s will bring North:

Roberts 2nd
Jones CF
Markakis RF
Huff 1st
Mora 3rd
Scott DH
Zaun C
Pie LF
Izturis SS

Bench
Moeller, Freel, Wigginton

Guthrie, Uehara, Eaton, Hendrickson, Simon

Sherrill
Ray
Johnson
Walker
Bass
Sarfate
Penn
Albers

Possible that Baez makes the team, over Simon.

I think the O’s look like they will release Pauley, and send Liz to AAA.


The roster Baltimore Sports and Life would bring North:

Roberts 2nd
Jones CF
Markakis RF
Huff 1st
Mora 3rd
Scott DH
Zaun C
Pie LF
Izturis SS

Bench
Moeller, Freel, Wigginton, Gomez

Guthrie, Uehara, Liz, Penn, Hendrickson

Sherrill
Ray
Johnson
Walker
Sarfate
Pauley
Albers

Baez traded or released.


Overall thoughts on the O’s likely roster, and the roster I would have:

1) The O’s appear likey to use a 13 man staff… which nearly all that follow sabermetrics says provides zero tangible benefit to a team… and clearly limits what you can do with the bench… especially when you factor in how you would not be willing to use the back-up catcher.

2) The O’s appear likely to hand a spot on the roster to Adam Eaton…

In 2007, he was 10-10, with a 6.29 ERA, allowing 192 hits, in 161.2 innings, with only 97 k’s, and 71 walks.
In 2008, he was 4-8, with a 5.80 ERA, allowing 131 hits, in 107 innings, with only 57 k’s, and 44 walks.

On top of that, he would be moving from the NL to the AL East.

3) The O’s have said that Liz and Albers will not make the rotation… in-fact, I think the O’s are now likely to send Liz to AAA… while I would prefer him to be in the rotation.

4) I think the O’s are going to risk losing Pauley to waivers… I would make sure he made the roster.

5) The O’s have said repeatedly that they want Hendrickson to in the bullpen… with the O’s saying that Hill will start the year on the DL, Hendrickson gets to start the year in the rotation.. and Walker can make the team.

6) Watch Jim Johnson, and Denis Sarfate this week… if the O’s continue to feel a crunch on their roster, and are unwilling to cut Walker, and Baez… you could see Johnson sent to the DL for ‘precautions,’ and Sarfate possibly lose his roster spot to Bass.

7) The roster that starts the year, will not be the roster in May… but I continue to believe the O’s have made this more complicated than it is.

8) Everyday that Wieters remains on the roster, makes it that much more likely that they decide to not send him down. I ultimately think you have to send him down, and bring him up April 17th… moving Zaun to the bench, and releasing Moeller…. but everyday he remains, I begin to wonder more if he will be the Opening Day catcher.

9) It boggles my mind that the O’s appear willing to have Simon make the rotation, and have Bass in the bullpen…

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

Owner

Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.

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