<span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%">Manager Dave Trembley leads the Baltimore Orioles this season after having the interim tag removed from his title last August. In the off season GM Andy Macphail traded their best player and ace Erik Bedard to the Mariners for a package that included top prospect Adam Jones (no, not Pacman!). Also gone from last years team is shortstop Miguel Tejada, whose name came up in the Mitchell Report. Tejada was traded to Houston for a package of five players, including Luke Scott, the teams new left fielder. Right hander Jeremy Guthrie will get the call for the opening day start, now that Bedard is gone. Guthrie, who is 28, was originally drafted and then later placed on waivers by the Cleveland Indians. Joining him in the rotation will be former number one pick (fourth overall in 2002) Adam Loewen, one of the Orioles top prospects. Also on the staff are youngsters Daniel Cabrera and Brian Burres, as well as 37 year old veteran right hander Steve Trachsel. Lefty George Sherrill, acquired in the Bedard trade, will be the Orioles closer. 2007 was a breakout year for Sherrill, who maintained a 2.00 ERA for most of the year, and was the primary setup man for Seattle closer JJ Putz. Sherrill’s primary setup men will be “submarine” pitcher Chad Bradford as well as lefthander Jamie Walker. Former Brewer right hander Greg Aquino rounds out the bullpen. Twenty four year old Nick Markakis will join Jones and Scott in the outfield and be the number three hitter in the Orioles lineup. Markakis had a solid year for the Orioles last year, hitting an even .300 with 23 homers and 112 RBI’s. Veterans Melvin Mora and Kevin Millar will handle the corners of the infield and try to provide leadership for the team. Brian Roberts is the teams starting second baseman and leadoff man. Aside from having his name appear in the Mitchell Report, Roberts has also been the subject of trade rumors with the Chicago Cubs. Youngster Luis Hernandez rounds out the infield at shortstop, but he has had trouble in the spring defensively. Brandon Fahey could get a chance if Hernandez has trouble. Left hander Aubrey Huff will be the teams primary designated hitter and back up Millar at first base. Huff hit just 15 homeruns last year. Unfortunately, Trembley and the Orioles are going to have a long season. Trembley spent twenty years as a manager in the minor leagues, and this season is going to bring back a lot of memories as the team does not have enough pitching to remain competitive. If the Orioles don’t finish in last, the season will probably be a huge success.</span>
