The Baltimore Orioles can into the 2014 season projected to finish close to the bottom of the AL East. However, Buck Showalter and his team proved that they weren’t a fluke, advancing to the ALCS only to be swept by the Kansas City Royals.
The ALCS loss brought about the offseason for the Orioles, one that is extremely important for the immediate future. Many of the key pieces to the team’s success are set to become free agents this offseason, and the chances are that at least a few won’t be back in 2015.
So that brings us to the question: What must the Orioles do to keep this reign of success going? Here are the areas of questions.
Pitching rotation
Yes, the Orioles rotation was one of the strongest in the league down the stretch, but the ALCS showed that it still lacked a dominant No. 1 pitcher. In a 2014 free agent market that isn’t full of stars, the Orioles should be on the lookout for another arm.
However, with what happened with Ubaldo Jimenez last season, they might be hesitant unless they are getting a perennial power. Names like Jon Lester, Max Scherzer and James Shields will at least be on the market, but they will be tough to get.
But that’s what the Orioles need to do to put them a leg up on the rest of the division. With any of those three, the Orioles would easily be the favorites in the AL East.
Nelson Cruz
Cruz was one of the best players in the league this season, and it makes sense that everyone and their mother will be interested in the free agent. However, the Orioles want him back and will have to compete with some of the highest payrolls to get him.
Can they get Cruz, and more importantly, should they? It will take up a lot of the payroll and force them to waive goodbye to guys like Nick Markakis and Andrew Miller.
Cruz is a star player that just happens to succeed in the postseason, but he might leave for the money. That would leave a hole in the Orioles lineup that they will desperately hope that Chris Davis can fill.
Get a top-of-the-order bat that gets on base
The Orioles made their mark on home runs this season, which was fine during the regular season and against the Detroit Tigers. However, after being swept by the Kansas City Royals, it was evident that the Orioles had a tough time manufacturing runs.
This, in part, was because the idea of having Nick Markakis as a leadoff hitter. He served the Orioles better than anyone else on the roster, but Dan Duquette should be looking for a true leadoff hitter. There are a few quality candidates that just happen to play outfield, so it could mean the end of Markakis’ time in Baltimore.
Get healthy
The Orioles made it all the way to the ALCS without the services of All-star catcher Matt Wieters and All-star third baseman Manny Machado. If these two can come back next season at 100 percent, this team could be very good again.
However, if Wieters struggles to get back and Machado gets injured again, this team will have some big questions to answer. Both will eventually need new contracts, and it will tough to commit to them long-term if they continue to be unhealthy.
The Orioles are hoping that isn’t a problem. This team will compete for a World Series again next season if the Orioles simply make a few tiny moves and keep everyone healthy.