PressBox: Developing The Orioles' 25-Man Roster

Developing The Orioles' 25-Man Roster

By Stan "The Fan" Charles

Clearly, the 2012 Orioles are not going anywhere too fast. Yet, despite the plight for Buck Showalter's club, there are going to be some tough decisions made during the next 12 days in Sarasota.

Let's start with the easiest part: How many position players/designated hitters will come north, and who will they be?

Catchers (two)

Barring a last-minute deal or free-agent signing (Pudge Rodriguez), it looks as if Matt Wieters and Ronny Paulino will be in Baltimore April 6. Orioles general manager Dan Duquette's idea was to have excellent defense in the backup catching role, with Taylor Teagarden. But a nagging back injury makes it more likely Teagarden will start the season on the DL. It seems safe to say he'll be at least a couple weeks into the campaign before he joins the big-league fray.

Infielders (five)

Let's start with the certainties, such as Chris Davis, Robert Andino, J.J. Hardy and Mark Reynolds. Beyond that foursome, it looks like a lock that Rule-5 pickup Ryan Flaherty will be the utility infielder, who can also play a bit in the outfield.

Designated Hitters (two)

While there may be lots of names posted as DHs during the course of 162 games, it seems a safe bet that Nick Johnson and Wilson Betemit will be the prime residents in this role.

Outfielders (four)

Clearly, four names stand above the rest -- Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, Nolan Reimold and Endy Chavez. Remember, Flaherty can be that guy in an emergency.

Starting Rotation (five)
This is where the mad scientist, Duquette, has worked his magic. As of March 25, the starting rotation come April 6 looks like Jake Arrieta, Wei-Yin Chen, Jason Hammel, Brian Matusz and Tommy Hunter.

Bullpen (seven)

That brings the grand total to 18, of 25. The creation of a staff has changed a lot since the days Earl Weaver proclaimed "10 pitchers can be too many and 11 isn't enough." But, seven bullpen arms may be as much a process of who the Orioles can move and who has to stay.

Jim Johnson, Luis Ayala, Matt Lindstrom, Troy Patton and Pedro Strop would all seem to be on the winning side of the "American Idol" couch. Kevin Gregg will not be released or just given away, so, for now let's keep him on board. Then there's Tsyoshi Wada, Duquette's earliest free-agent pitching signee.

Seven in the bullpen rounds out the 25-man roster, and it leaves some interesting names not fitting in: Zach Phillips, Chris Tillman, Brad Bergesen, Dana Eveland, as well as the two that appear to be headed for the disabled list -- Zach Britton and Alfredo Simon.

That leaves just two other names that could crack the positional players list at the expense of yet another pitcher -- outfielder Jai Miller or infielder Steve Tolleson. But either seems a stretch at this point.

Despite the predictions of doom and gloom, crafting a 25-man roster isn’t as easy as it might seem.

Posted March 26, 2012