We are now just days away from the start of spring training and the first workout for Orioles pitchers and catchers is set for next Thursday in Sarasota, Fla. We are less than two weeks away from the first spring game on Feb. 24, when the Orioles will host the Boston Red Sox.
So it's time to survey the fan base and check in with Birdland on a few things. Time for a pre-spring edition of "A few questions for O's fans."
1) Here are some projected American League East starting pitching rotations. Rank them from best to worst.
Orioles: Corbin Burnes, Kyle Bradish, Grayson Rodriguez, John Means and Dean Kremer.
New York: Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Marcus Stroman, Nestor Cortes and Clarke Schmidt.
Toronto: Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, Chris Bassitt, Yusei Kikuchi and Alek Manoah.
Boston: Lucas Giolito, Nick Pivetta, Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford and Tanner Houck.
Tampa Bay: Zach Eflin, Aaron Civale, Zack Littell, Ryan Pepiot and Taj Bradley.
2) Give me your predicted order of finish in the AL East standings.
3) How many starts will John Means make? How many innings will he pitch?
4) How will new closer Craig Kimbrel do on a 1-to-10 scale, with one being the worst and 10 the absolute best?
5) Project season-ending OPS numbers for these players: Gunnar Henderson, Cedric Mullins and Ryan Mountcastle.
6) Predict Burnes' win total, innings and season-ending ERA.
7) Who will lead the Orioles in homers?
8) Who wins the football game today, Kansas City or San Francisco?