Stat Boy vs. Frederick from Frederick: Next year's rotation
All five starting pitchers from the beginning of the season for the O's are not in the rotation. The starting rotation next year for the Orioles is without question undecided.
But, the O's need to fill these five starting slots with someone...who will they be?
Guthrie
Stat Boy: Well this guy is the only no-brainer in the group. As long as he's healthy, he's the best pitcher on this staff. I think Guthrie ideally would be the #2 starter on a contending team but for this team, he's the #1 and not a bad one at that.
Frederick from Frederick: You're an idiot if you don't think Guthrie should be in the rotation, he's a no brainer. Now, if we can only get him to finish a full season.
Cabrera
Frederick from Frederick: It's time to cut our ties with this guy. He is due to make around 5 million next year, and with his inconsistency, I just don't think he's worth it.
Stat Boy: I'm going to disagree with you on this. There's too much uncertainty on this staff. Cabrera at least has given you quality Major League starts in the past. In a dream scenario I say hang onto Cabrera, hope he gives you a string of good starts, and then trade him for whatever you can get.
Olson/Liz/Waters
Stat Boy: This is a tough one. I'm not really sold on any of these guys. I'm giving a definite "No" to Garrett Olson. He needs to start the season in AAA. Chris Waters I think is a fringe Major Leaguer at best. The guy wasn't very good in the Minors this season and may be the beneficiary of the fact that teams haven't seen him before. Liz's future I believe is as a reliever but his starts have been better lately. I'd let him compete for a spot in the back of the rotation in Spring Training, and if it doesn't work out, make him a reliever.
Frederick from Frederick: Out of these three, I would have to give the nod to Chris Waters, at least for the beginning of the season. Olson and Liz have had their number of starts in the Majors and have proven they need more work. Waters has done a pretty good job in his short stint at the big league level and deserves at least a chance to see if he can continue to be successful at this level.
Albers/Patton
Frederick from Frederick: To me, this one is a no brainer as well. Trembley has already announced that Albers will be in the rotation and if he's not going to be in the bullpen (where he might end up helping the team the most) then he should be in the rotation. Plus Patton has been injured, let him get his feet back under him with some solid Minor League victories.
Stat Boy: I'm a yes for both of these guys. Albers pitched well enough in his starts this year that I think he earned his shot, and he may have gotten it had he not been injured. Patton was the centerpiece of the Tejada trade. I think he goes into Spring Training with an edge over the other guys for a spot in the rotation and let him hold that as long as he pitches decently. I see no real point to sending him back to the Minors.
Bullpen
Stat Boy: There's only one guy I like from out of the bullpen. I think Jim Johnson earned his shot this year. He was great out of the pen, but to me it's more important to build a quality starting rotation and its time to find out if Johnson can bring that same level of quality to the team as a starter.
Frederick from Frederick: Johnson's my guy too, Statty. He's been solid all year for us, so let's see if he can have the same success as a starter. Hey, it worked for Joba Chamberlain and the Yankees, why can't it work for us?
Minor Leaguers
Frederick from Frederick: I would like to see what Brad Bergesen can bring to the table. The kid dominated in the Minors this year and won Minor League Pitcher of the Year in the Orioles organization. I think he has done more than enough to earn his shot to toe the rubber in the Yard.
Stat Boy: While I did argue earlier in the season that Bergesen deserved a shot this year, I don't think he should be starting for the team to begin next year. Let him compete for a rotation spot in Spring Training, but otherwise I think the Orioles would be better off bringing him up midseason.
Free Agents
Stat Boy: There is not a single free agent that I think the Orioles should sign. Sabathia, Sheets, and Burnett aren't coming here. All mediocre veteran pitchers could end up costing the team draft picks for compensation, which I think hurts a rebuilding team. What the Orioles have might not be pretty, but they need to develop it.
Frederick from Frederick: I'm going to make this plain and simple; the Orioles will not sign any top free agents that will make the starting rotation next year. Case Closed.
Starting 5 Next Season
Frederick from Frederick: Guthrie, Albers, Johnson, Waters, Bergesen
Stat Boy: Guthrie, Cabrera, Johnson, Patton, Albers
What is your starting 5 next season? Let us know using the comment box below.
-Stat Boy and Frederick from Frederick
My Dream scenario is
CC Sabathia
Guthrie
AJ Burnett
Patton
Albers
Of course it might end up like this in which case I'll hang myself:
Guthrie
Cabrera
Olson
Liz
Waters
We probably need to go out in free angency and sign some consistent SP before we get a bat. I'd take an ACE over Texieria any day.