2013 Baltimore Orioles

[DiamondDave]

Highest Payroll in the league, currently, and looking to make a bigger push than before.

Rotation:
1) Jerome Williams - 4.0 star - reigning AL Cy Young
2) Dan Meyer - 4.0 star - Will he perform more like his ratings finally?
3) Trevor Richards - 3.5 star - first season as a full time starter
4) Juan Rincon - 3.0 star - very consistantly good performer
5) Jason Stumm - 3.0 star - former 20+ game winner, needs to stay healthy

Bullpen:

Mopup/Middle Releif
Kevin Correia - 4.0 star - off season aquisition, needs to solidify the long relief
Jung Bong - 2.5 star - considered the weak part of the bullpen, but maybe can return to form of 2 seasons ago
Harold Engelman - 2.5 star - Consistent middle inning performer
Matt Albers - 4.0 star - Last year's righty setup man and spot starter

Setup
Hubert Wilner - 4.5 star - rated good, now needs to perform to ratings
Arnie Munoz - 4.5 star - last year's closer, back to familiar setup role

Closer
David Vera - 4.5 prospect star - going with a rookie closer, more consistent than Munoz

Basic Lineup
1) R Jason Bay LF - 3.0 star - 9 contact and 9 steals, Baltimore has waited for a leadoff guy like this
2) R Edwin Encarnacion 3B - 3.0 star - yearly amung league leaders in BA, optimum #2 guy with 9 contact
3) L James Loney 1B - 4.0 star - 2012 AL HR leader, kills righties
4) R Justin Huber C - 5.0 star - 2012 MVP, AL Batting Champ, possobly the AL's top offensive weapon, needs to improve HR numbers to match ratings though
5) R Jayson Nix 2B - 3.0 star - with increased power ratings, moves to 5 spot in the order
6) R Andy Gonzalez SS - 3.0 star - great contact and good power for a SS, .310 career average
7) R Shane Victorino CF - 3.0 star - out of leadoff or #9 hitter role, needs more clutch performances
8) R Arturo Rivas RF - 2.0 star - .318 in his first full year as a starter in 2012
9) R Edwin Jude DH - 1.0 star - 2nd year player getting a shot at the DH role, power potential is there

Key Backups
Greg "Toe" Nash - needs to qualify at !B as the primary backup at that position. Has played 1B a few times over the season in Baltimore, and fielded well, just needs to officially qualify
Emmett Copes - Rookie OF needs to finish improvement
Travis Ezi - OF Utility and switch hitter
Michael Fountain - Baltimore's career backup catcher
Dave Diaz - great infield utility that could be starting on many teams, part time DH as well and full time DH is a possibility if Jude fails

Notes - Rincon is on the pre-season and early season trade block. Baltimore has a plethora of quality pitchers, but farm system needs rebuilt and a true backup 1B is a glarring need

[albbla2000mu]

Well, 100-120 wins as usual I suppose. Glad your finally getting the hang of it Dave

[Kingdom]

Good news about Correia, Dave. He saved a bunch of money on his car insurance by switching to Geico, and he usually pitches well against Boston.