Spring training 2018 is half over. The Orioles had their lone off day on Monday and now play every day until they head north.
The first part of this camp has been dominated by new arrivals: Andrew Cashner, Chris Tillman, Colby Rasmus, Pedro Alvarez, Danny Valencia.
I’d imagine there will be more to come in the next couple weeks as Orioles Executive Vice President Dan Duquette looks to cash in on any bargains still remaining on the free agent market.
I don’t expect any of the Big Three of available pitchers, Jake Arrieta, Alex Cobb and Lance Lynn, to walk through the Ed Smith Stadium door. Their demands likely would have to drop into the three-year realm – or lower — for the Orioles to make a hard push.
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Then again, I didn’t expect Nelson Cruz’s market to crash in 2014 to the level the Orioles could land him on a one-year deal.
So, anything is possible, I suppose. And this has been the craziest market to handicap in my career.
I still think the Orioles need to be more aggressive in their pursuit of outfielder Jon Jay on a reasonable deal. And their rotation would look a whole lot better with Lynn or Cobb or Arrieta leading it. There are also some utility infielder types that could be available at the end of the month that would upgrade what the club has presently.
But, for now, the Orioles have 55 players in camp – and that’s plenty to draw from in an attempt to construct a 25-man roster. Here’s a look at the remaining position battles halfway through camp, my sense on what will happen and my projected 25-man roster if the season started today:
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