Baltimore Orioles

Yeah, I've heard it on many occasions. And it's true, the Baltimore Orioles have been truly awful as of late.

But when you take a look at their off-season activity and what talent they've added, you might wanna consider the possibility that the Orioles could have a strong team this year.

I'm not going to go as far as to say they can hold their own against the likes of teams like the Yankees or the newly-beefed up Red Sox, but they have a strong chance of making a significant improvement from the years past.

Here's why...

Though among the league's worst last season, Kevin Millwood is among the top pitchers still available on the free agent market. He posted an atrocious 4-16 record coupled with an awful 5.10 ERA last season with the Baltimore Orioles. 

Aside from the previously mentioned facts, Millwood's WHIP last season was 1.51 and his 16 losses were the highest in the AL and tied for most in the majors with Rodrigo Lopez. 

Over the last 13 seasons, the Baltimore Orioles have been the bottom-feeders of the AL East, often referred to as the toughest division in baseball.

The O’s started last season 2-16, which added to an already-diminishing fan base at Camden Yard.

Looking for an answer, the O’s made three managerial changes. I guess third time's the charm, as Buck Showalter took over on August 1st and the O’s finally got their man.

Even though the Baltimore Orioles have been at the bottom of the AL East and the American League for the past ten years, 2011 will be the year that they shock the baseball world and make the playoffs as the AL wild-card team.

Due to their great off-season acquisitions, the Orioles have become an offensive powerhouse of the American League while at the same time being defensively sound. Under the guidance of Buck Showalter, the Orioles are primed for a playoff berth.

The Baltimore Orioles have been a poor excuse for an MLB team for a few years now. They have had talented players come in and out of this organization, but have never been able to put the pieces together to created a successful team. Before this offseason the O's had some talented players, like Matt Wieters, Adam Jones and Brain Matusz, but not enough pieces to contend in the star driven AL East.

After nearly a decade and a half of losing seasons, will this finally be the year that the Baltimore Orioles rise from the depths of the AL East to finally top .500?

I will go out on a limb here, as I always do with my baseball predictions, and say that it is not all that far-fetched.

Is it likely that they win the AL East? Not in the slightest bit, but hey, never say never.

Ah, the Baltimore Orioles.  Ever since Peter Angelos instilled his Jerry Jones-esque front office meddling, the Orioles haven’t exactly been, well, good. 

Baltimore Orioles' owner Peter Angelos has been widely known as a stickler when it comes to spending money on players. Instead of going out there and paying big bucks for solid players, it seems as though he decides to just sit around and wait until the big-name players have already been signed to contracts with other teams.

Not this off-season, though.

I really can’t believe the Baltimore Orioles fell for it. I really can’t.

The Baltimore Orioles have agreed to a one-year, $8 million contract with notorious slugger and possible future Hall-of-Famer Vladimir Guerrero.

And we all thought Andy MacPhail wouldn't raise the offer.