Rough road trying to guess Orioles roster in December

Among my yearly winter endeavors, and I'm not referencing the non-baseball stuff like ingesting too much pre-workout powder and listening to my heart perform the drum solo in "Moby Dick," is offering Orioles roster suggestions to a national publication.

In December.

Accuracy is optional.

An extremely difficult task is much more challenging in 2021 with baseball's lockout, which denies teams permission to tamper with their 40-man rosters. Holes in lineups, rotations, bullpens and benches can't be filled at the usual clip.

The Orioles have a well-earned reputation for letting the market play out and signing players shortly before the start of spring training, in the middle of it and just prior to breaking camp.

We didn't know that Freddy Galvis would be the opening day shortstop until January or that Maikel Franco would be the third baseman and Adam Plutko would be in the bullpen until two months later.

That Tommy Milone would join the pitching staff until February 2020. That Jesús Sucre would be catching until February 2019. That Pedro Severino would be catching until a month later.

That Andrew Cashner would be in the rotation until February 2018 and Alex Cobb would join him until a month later.

We could keep going down this road, pausing to honor Pedro Álvarez (March 2017), Yovani Gallardo (February 2016) and Everth Cabrera (February 2015). To again marvel at the 2014 spring training moves that introduced us to Ubaldo Jiménez, Nelson Cruz and Johan Santana. But let's come back to December 2021.

I could compose the movements in a symphony easier than the opening day lineup, but I wasn't approached by a music publication.

OK, so Cedric Mullins bats leadoff and plays center field. We're off to a good start.

Austin Hays can be projected as the left fielder and Anthony Santander as the right fielder. We can put Ryan Mountcastle at first base, Rougned Odor at second and Trey Mancini in the designated hitter role. With Mancini obviously able to return to first base whenever the mood strikes.

Who's the shortstop and third baseman? Who's catching? Who's backing up?

I give to you one possible lineup, with most pieces easily moved up or down. The opposing pitcher can influence it:

Cedric Mullins CF
Austin Hays LF
Trey Mancini DH
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Anthony Santander RF
Rougned Odor 2B
Ramón Urías SS
Kelvin Gutiérrez 3B
Jacob Nottingham C

What I've done here is assume that Adley Rutschman reports back to Triple-A Norfolk. The 40-man roster is missing a catcher. On this date, it's a flip of the coin between Nottingham and Anthony Bemboom.

The left side of the infield remains in the hands of in-house candidates.

The bench must include a backup catcher, and in this scenario, Bemboom gets the honor. Jorge Mateo is a backup in the infield and an extra outfielder. Remember that he's out of minor league options.

Jahmai Jones also could serve in a utility-type role, but he doesn't play shortstop and the Orioles might want him to keep developing at second base in Triple-A.

For now, I'm going with DJ Stewart and Ryan McKenna, with their different skill sets, as spare outfielders. A veteran could be signed later who presents a challenge.

The rotation, as we've discussed, is a puzzle beyond John Means and Jordan Lyles. I stuck left-handers Bruce Zimmermann and Keegan Akin in it and then tossed another coin for the fifth spot.

Heads, it's Dean Kremer. Tails, it's Alexander Wells. Or maybe it's Zac Lowther. Perhaps Mike Baumann. Heck, we don't know whether Jorge López is a starter or reliever, but I'm putting him in the bullpen.

I chose Kremer, with absolutely no idea how this is going to play out. It's a wide-open camp competition, and the signing of a veteran starter before opening day really scrambles the pitcher picture.

A seven-man bullpen beyond López must include closer Tyler Wells, no longer with Rule 5 status. Cole Sulser and Dillon Tate are in, and I'm keeping left-handers Paul Fry and Tanner Scott.

I needed a seventh reliever. I checked the 40-man roster, which doesn't necessarily contain the answer, and saw Joey Krehbiel. He's still standing while others fell, including Hunter Harvey, Brooks Kriske and Conner Greene.

Cionel Peréz would provide a third left-hander. One of the failed starters could be used in bulk relief. Félix Bautista could pump 102 mph fastballs throughout camp, drastically reduce his walks and win a job.

Anyone else want to give this a try?