[JakeP50]

Any other O's fans on here what do you guys think about the team finally spending money? Where do you think we finish in the AL East this year?

[jcmanson]

Feel free to start a new thread, but since you're new I thought I'd point you to this long Orioles thread - https://www.flamefans.com/forums/viewto ... 12&t=19042

Disclaimer: I don't know much about what's in that thread since I'm not an Orioles fan and I didn't waste my time reading the majority of the posts.

[Cider Jim]

Jake, I'm the resident O's fan here and have been so since 1966 when a 19-year-old Jim Palmer out-dueled Sandy Koufax in a 4-game sweep of the World Series! And I actually quit a job so that I could watch the 1983 World Series on TV.

[BJWilliams]

you ought to make a trip down to Norfolk this year...some former and future major leaguers travel through there

[JakeP50]

Tides games will be easier for me to get to next year, when I'm actually in Lynchburg, and I plan on going to a few especially when I get a craving for ESKAY hot dogs and real Old Bay fries.

[Cider Jim]

And CRAB CAKES from Faidley's!

[JakeP50]

My breakdown:
Offense: Projected line-up seems even more high powered(on paper) than it was last year
Defense:4 Gold Glovers and MLB record for fewest errors in a season speaks for itself, didn't need much to be improved just kept at Camden Yards
Starting Pitching:Once again the biggest question mark, but it has improved,Jimenez will probably be the #1. My projected rotation: Jimenez, Tillman, Gonzalez, Chen, Norris
Bullpen: Looks to be strong again and maybe better than last year with Pedro Choke and Jim "Heart Attack" Johnson gone. I think Bundy and Gausman will spend some time here this year and maybe work their way into a 6 man rotation or take one of the regular starters spots.
Final record: somewhere between 88- 96 wins, above 93 is if they really overachieve.
1st or 2nd in AL East, most likely a playoff team.

[adam42381]

My breakdown:
Offense: Projected line-up seems even more high powered(on paper) than it was last year
Defense:4 Gold Glovers and MLB record for fewest errors in a season speaks for itself, didn't need much to be improved just kept at Camden Yards
Starting Pitching:Once again the biggest question mark, but it has improved,Jimenez will probably be the #1. My projected rotation: Jimenez, Tillman, Gonzalez, Chen, Norris
Bullpen: Looks to be strong again and maybe better than last year with Pedro Choke and Jim "Heart Attack" Johnson gone. I think Bundy and Gausman will spend some time here this year and maybe work their way into a 6 man rotation or take one of the regular starters spots.
Final record: somewhere between 88- 96 wins, above 93 is if they really overachieve.
1st or 2nd in AL East, most likely a playoff team.

That's pretty optimistic, but not out of the question. Most predictions I've seen have the O's either 4th or 5th in the AL East.

[JakeP50]

O's Rays and Red Sox are going to all be fighting for the division this year. Lack of real star power and fan interest kills the Rays down the stretch like it does every year. Winner of the overall O's-Red Sox series takes the division, loser takes one of the Wild Cards. AL East is going to be the best division in baseball again.

[adam42381]

Like I said, it's an optimistic view, but not impossible by any stretch. Vegas currently has the over/under lines for the AL East set as follows:

Tampa Bay 88 1/2
Boston 87 1/2
New York 86 1/2
Baltimore 80 1/2
Toronto 79 1/2

With those numbers, I'd go Tampa under, Boston over, New York under, Baltimore over and Toronto under. I like Boston to win the division followed by Tampa and Baltimore fighting for Wild Card spots.

[jbock13]

I'm a Rays fan but I don't see them winning the division. Honestly.

[jbock13]

Lack of real star power and fan interest kills the Rays down the stretch like it does every year.

Judging by post-season appearances I would challenge this statement.

Sorry, know this is a Orioles thread, my bad.

[Cider Jim]

I realize it's only spring training, but the O's 15-4 win yesterday over the Phillies was fun to watch--and it was televised locally on MASN: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/bal/ori ... y=news_bal