Baltimore Orioles

Matt Wieters was supposed to be the next hot prospect. He was supposed explode onto the scene in 2009 and follow it up with an amazing 2010 campaign. 

Fantasy owners reached for him heading into the 2010 season to make sure they didn’t miss the boat based on what everyone was saying.

Unfortunately, his performance far from lived up to the hype:

There are rumors swirling around the Baltimore Orioles this weekend that there is an imminent deal involving them and free-agent designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero.  Vlad is a solid hitter when he is healthy, but he is about to turn 36 years old and would be the opposite of the direction these Orioles are going in terms of age.  Not to mention, they already have Luke Scott at DH and a crowded outfield situation, so unless they plan to trade Luke Scott there really isn't a place on the roster for him.

According to the incredible website www.mlbtraderumors.com, the Baltimore Orioles and free agent DH Vladimir Guerrero are close to working out a one-year deal worth a "humbling amount".

With the signing of reliever Kevin Gregg to a two-year, $10 million deal, the Baltimore Orioles have loaded their bullpen up with late-inning options.

Once upon a time Brian Roberts was among the elite second basemen in the game.  Doesn’t that feel like decades ago at this point?  Even before injuries limited him to just 59 games in 2010 Roberts’ star had lost a bit of its shine.

Just look at his stolen base totals in recent years:

Going into the 2010 off season, the Baltimore Orioles had seemingly the same needs as they do every off season: first base, shortstop, third base, closer, and starting pitching.

They tried to get by, like they do every year, with the cheap patch-work signing of Cesar Isturis, who failed miserably, hitting just .230 in the process. Thankfully, this year he will be in a more suitable role of back-up utility infielder, where he still could hold some value off the bench.

The Baltimore Orioles have been in the news this week quite a bit.  First it was the startling developments of reliever Alfredo Simon in the alleged shooting on New Year's Eve.  Then some positive personnel developments with the acquisition of first baseman Derrek Lee (pending physical) and closer Kevin Gregg.

The icing on the cake for the O's and their fans was the news today that Roberto Alomar has been elected to the Hall of Fame.

The Baltimore Orioles have been busy this offseason. Since the winter began, the O's have been making under-the-radar moves, quietly upgrading several areas of the club.

They finished revamping their infield with the signing of first baseman Derek Lee on New Year's Eve, and on Tuesday, solidified their bullpen even further after agreeing to terms with free agent right-hander Kevin Gregg.

Outside of the Milwaukee Brewers improving their starting rotation, I don’t think there is a team in baseball that improved one aspect of their team more than the Baltimore Orioles improved their infield. They went from having one of the most mediocre infields in 2010 to potentially having one of the best in 2011.

After weeks of speculation, the Orioles finally signed their first baseman to finish the rebuilding of their infield. 

Derrek Lee will join recent signings J.J. Hardy and Mark Reynolds in making up the Orioles new infield, and more importantly, inject some power into an offense that was horribly stagnant in 2010.