The MLB Network analysts size up the Orioles

When MLB Network made its annual trek to the Orioles spring training camp, the analysts verbalized a familiar theme - the O's have plenty of offense, but will the starting pitching hold up?

The Orioles were featured on the network's "30 Clubs in 30 Days" segment last night.

Former player and current network analyst Mark DeRosa interviewed some players in Sarasota, Fla., and came away impressed by the O's offense.

"A message to the American League teams out there," DeRosa said. "Do not bench-clearing brawl with this team. They are monsters. Walking through the clubhouse - Jonathan Schoop is 240 and jacked. Adam Jones is a big boy. Mark Trumbo. Up and down the lineup, they are going to bang.

"From Crush Davis hitting 47. Manny Machado's coming out party last year, 35. Guys like Pedro Alvarez. Offense and the longball in Camden Yards will not be a problem."

But DeRosa did express concern over the pitching.

"I love the fact that a lot of their (free agent) guys wanted to come back," he said. "But it surprises me because it is pretty much the same team that went out there last year. I know Yovani Gallardo is going to help this staff. But is he a bigger addition than Wei-Yin Chen? I know the money is probably way different, but I would have used it a little differently."

The O's rotation ERA ranked 14th in the AL last year. Is it better now?

"I don't think it is," DeRosa said. "That is why it surprised me the way they spent their money. They are going to hit home runs and I know they wanted to bring Chris Davis back at $161 million.

"But they could have used some dollars wisely to go out, and not only solidify their bullpen, but just absolutely kill it. Maybe make a trade. Why is (Aroldis) Chapman in New York? Why is Ryan Madson signing in Oakland? Just those little pieces from the fifth to the seventh innings to bridge the gap. It would take their bullpen over the top and take some serious pressure off their starting pitching. I don't think it is a rotation that can go deep in games."

Former Tampa Bay Ray Carlos Pena was asked if he had any concerns over Gallardo's pitching this spring.

"I don't think so," Pena said. "You would like to finish up on a positive note, but he's done it for a long time. Since 2009, he has gone out there 30-plus times every single year and only one of those years his ERA was above 4.00. He'll give you a quality start every time he goes out."

During an interview with Orioles manager Buck Showalter, they asked him about his outlook for the 2016 season?

"We will be as good as we are capable of being," he said. "I'm as curious as the next person to find out where it is. I know where they are telling me (we are predicted to finish). We're laying in the weeds right where we need to be. But I like our chances."

During an interview with Chris Davis, the O's slugging first baseman was asked his take on bat flips?

"I think there is a time and place for it," Davis said. "That has never been a part of my game. But I played winter ball and I understand that part and the emotion and passion and I appreciate that. You should be the player that you are comfortable being. But you should also respect the player you are playing against. That is just kind of the way I was raised. It's just not part of my game."

At the end of last night's show it was prediction time:

DeRosa said: "I think Buck is going to be upset with me. I love some of their pieces, but bottom line is, I don't know if their starting pitching has enough to not tax that bullpen by mid-season.

"You look up and down the AL East, there are some monsters. Teams can run out Chris Archer, Matt Moore, (Luis) Severino, (Nathan) Eovaldi, David Price, the list goes on and on. I just don't know how this offense doesn't get tired and slump at some point.

"I have them at the bottom (of the division). It doesn't mean they can't finish .500, but I think they finish toward the bottom."

From Brian Kenny: "I say like 77, 78 wins makes sense to me. I don't think they're a bad team, but that starting rotation, as it compares to the rest of the division, I don't think it quite holds up."

Pena said: "The AL East is a tossup. But I still have the Baltimore Orioles fighting for a wild card spot. You saw how much an offense can take you with Toronto last year. The Orioles could do the same thing, but I see about 84 wins for the Orioles."