Reality: Brian Roberts is officially retiring from Major League Baseball.
Perception: Roberts announced on Fox Sports Radio that he was “moving on to the next stage of his life”.
In 14 major league seasons, Roberts was one of the best players to ever put on an Orioles uniform. He has more than 1,500 hits, more than 365 doubles, and 285 stolen bases.
Roberts isn’t quite Hall-of-Fame material, but he’s definitely one that should be in the Orioles Hall-of-Fame. Unfortunately, Roberts suffered through 11 losing seasons with the Orioles 2012 playoff season, but Roberts was injured and only saw action in 17 games.
Roberts said on Fox Sports Radio, “I will always associate myself with (the Orioles)”. Most baseball fans will only remember Roberts as an Oriole. It’s disappointing he had to go to New York for his final season, but Roberts will always be a Baltimore Oriole.
Reality: Miguel Gonzalez might be most underrated Oriole this season.
Perception: Gonzalez must have been frustrated throughout the year. He was sent down to the minors. He was skipped over in the rotation. He didn’t pitch in the ALDS. But time and time again, when the Orioles needed a big start from one of their pitchers, Gonzalez was the guy to give it to them. Even in his start in the ALCS, he hadn’t pitched in nearly a month, and yet he gave the O’s one of their best starts of the series.
He was third on their staff on WHIP during the regular season, and had the best ERA of their starting pitchers. No one thinks of Gonzalez as an important piece of the rotation, but time and time again, he was the guy giving critical starts.
Reality: Buck Showalter said “We reminded the country what a great baseball city Baltimore is.”
Perception: I might have questioned a few of Buck’s decision in the ALCS, but hindsight is 20/20, and Buck was the best manager in baseball this year. What he has done in his few seasons in Baltimore is nothing short of amazing.
Yes, he helped bring Baltimore back to relevancy in the baseball world, but more importantly, he made baseball important again in Baltimore. And that is the reason why I like Buck so much. The passion I have for the Orioles reminds me of my youth, back in the 80s and 90s when I hung on the edge of my seat every game watching the Orioles compete for the pennant.
Reality: The Orioles roster will remain mostly intact next season.
Perception: The Orioles could be looking only to replace one outfield position, a DH, and maybe a bullpen arm.
Matt Wieters and Caleb Joseph are likely the catchers.
Chris Davis will most likely sign a one-year deal after agreeing in arbitration, but if he struggles like he did this season, you could see Steve Pearce and/or Christian Walker take over full-time.
Ryan Flaherty and Jonathan Schoop will be your second basemen.
JJ Hardy will remain at short, and Manny Machado will return at third.
Alejandro De Aza and David Lough will return in left. Adam Jones will return in centerfield.
The Orioles will not pick up the $17.5 million option on Nick Markakis. Now that doesn’t mean that he is gone, but it does mean that Markakis will be able to test the free agent market, and he could be the best outfielder on the market. But as Roch Kubatko of MASN said, Nick “wants to say, his family wants to stay, and Showalter wants to keep him.” So as long as he takes the Orioles’ multi-year offer, he should be back.
Nelson Cruz has said he would like to be back, but once again, he’ll be able to test the free agent market. It’s been reported that the Orioles will make a $15.3 million qualifying offer to Cruz. If he turns it down, the O’s get a draft pick. If he takes it, the O’s get their power-hitting DH back. But the Birds will not sign him to a multi-year deal.
The Orioles starting rotation will remain mostly intact, and Kevin Gausman will have something to say about that. Dylan Bundy could make an appearance next season, if healthy.
The Orioles best pitcher in September and October was probably Andrew Miller, but more than likely he will not return. He will probably get a three or four year deal for big money from a team looking to make him their closer. With Zach Britton, Darren O’Day, and Tommy Hunter all returning next season, the Birds won’t spend the money necessary to keep Miller. However, he is worth every cent he gets. The guy is a beast.
If you think about all that the Orioles accomplished without Wieters, Machado, and Davis this season, it’s pretty amazing. Having each of them back next season, and if they can keep Markakis, the Orioles should be right back where they were this year.
