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PERCEPTION IS REALITY: Are the O’s well-armed?

Chris Tillman throws in a Spring Training game in 2013.
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The Baltimore Orioles are ready kick off their Spring Training as pitchers and catcher reported to Sarasota yesterday, and the full squad arrives next Tuesday. So let’s gear up for the arrival of the boys of summer by taking a look at a few different topics facing the Orioles this season, in my new column called “Perception is Reality.” It’s a bit like a Fact and Opinion column where I’ll give you a statement of reality, and then give you my perception of the situation.

In the first article Wednesday, we looked at the Orioles hitters. Today, we’ll look at the options on the mound.

Reality: The Orioles are still looking for another starting pitcher.

Perception: With A.J. Burnett signing with the Phillies, another veteran player decided to not accept an offer from the Orioles. That leaves Ervin Santana and Ubaldo Jimenez as the remaining two veteran pitchers that have been linked to the Orioles.

The Orioles officially signed Korean right-handed pitcher Suk-min Yoon Thursday. It was expected, especially after he tweeted a photo of himself wearing an Orioles hat on Tuesday night. But he is a major question mark, having never pitched in the U.S. before. The Orioles also won’t say if he’ll be starting or coming out of the bullpen. It could be risky having him start from Opening Day, as he hasn’t yet gone through the grind of the Major Leagues, which is more than what he’s used to.

So right now, Chris Tillman, Wei-Yin Chen, Bud Norris, and Miguel Gonzalez are your four starting pitchers.

If they can’t sign one of the aforementioned proven vets, it appears they will go with what they have. That means Zach Britton, T.J. McFarland, Kevin Gausman or Steve Johnson (and maybe Yoon) would have a chance to be the 5th starter. They could also give Brian Matusz another chance. Matusz really wants to be a starter, but he has been so lights out as a reliever that it’s hard for me to be okay with moving him back to that role. Britton is out of options so he is the favorite to win the job, but he hasn’t shown an ability to be a consistent starter at this level.

Reality: The Orioles are still looking for a closer.

Perception: The Orioles have looked at a number of closers, but they have all signed elsewhere. So it appears that Tommy Hunter will be in the closing role this season. Hunter has been a very good reliever over the last two seasons. He gets the job unless he really struggles. Alfredo Aceves has a chance to be a big help in the back end of the bullpen. Darren O’Day and Ryan Webb (and maybe Yoon) should also be quality relievers this year.

There are a number of other guys trying to make the bullpen. They include Mike Belfiore, Brad Brach, and Josh Stinson. Troy Patton will also be available, after he finishes his 25-game suspension.

I think the bullpen could become a strength again for the Orioles, but we’ll need the offense to pull their weight as it could be a struggle for the starters to consistently get through six innings – again – this season.

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