Footprints in the Snow: Orioles

Footprints in the Snow is FanHouse's look at the paths to be forged by MLB teams this winter as they look ahead to 2010.

Thanks to an infusion of young talent, there are some good vibes floating around Camden Yards -- no small feat considering the fact that the local nine hasn't had a winning record since 1997.

Of course, an infusion of young talent won't be enough on its own in the enormously challenging AL East. The Orioles need immense improvements on the corners of their infield and especially in their pitching staff -- which ranked last in the American League in ERA in 2009. That can't all come from the maturation of a select group of youngsters groomed on the Baltimore farm, though, so there will be plenty on general manager Andy MacPhail's plate as he tries to take the next step in turning the O's into legitimate challengers.

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Who Might Leave

Melvin Mora, 3B; Mark Hendrickson, LHP; Chad Moeller, C; Rich Hill, LHP; Danys Baez, RHP

Shopping List

Though their pitching staff might need more long-term work, the Orioles' most pressing needs this winter are at first and third base. Ty Wigginton can be part of the solution at either position and Luke Scott and rookie Michael Aubrey could do the same at first, but none of the three seems like the full-time answer.

Mora had a rough final season in Baltimore, but his tenure with the club was very good overall, so finding an above-average performer at the hot corner would seem to be the top priority. Luckily, there's a decent crop of third basemen even beyond Chone Figgins, who will probably price himself out of the O's range, including Adrian Beltre and Mark DeRosa.

The first base market isn't quite as vibrant, but Baltimore will be able to find a veteran stopgap at minimum, perhaps by bringing back Aubrey Huff, who the club traded away in August.

The Orioles should be able to be more cautious in the ever-dangerous pitching market, instead opting to wait on developing youngsters Chris Tillman, Brian Matusz and Brad Bergesen and hoping for bounceback/breakout seasons from Jeremy Guthrie and Koji Uehara. Still, a veteran starter to anchor the staff would be welcome, as would a backup catcher to spell Matt Wieters and a high-ceiling arm or two for the bullpen.

Money Matters

Raises due to Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis, as a result of the long-term extensions they signed, and Guthrie, who is eligible for arbitration for the first time, will be more than offset by clearing Mora and Baez from the books, leaving MacPhail with considerable flexibility should he decide to wade into the free-agent market.

In fact, other than the recent extensions given to Roberts and Markakis and a four-year big-league deal to Matusz, a top draft pick in 2008, the Orioles aren't committed to anyone beyond 2010. Obviously with players like Wieters and Adam Jones on the roster, some of that financial windfall ought to be used (if it can be) on the elite talents already on the roster, but Baltimore is in a position financially to augment and surround its impressive core with pricier free agents.

That's a place that, frankly, the Orioles haven't been in awhile.

Offseason Goals

The O's still look like they're a year away from potentially challenging the big boys in the AL East, putting them in a tricky position. They need to keep gradually building toward contention, but because they're closer than they've been in awhile and appear to have some money to play with, they can make some decisions with an eye on the immediate future. Still, a major misstep could derail everything they have worked toward over the last few years. How do you get more aggressive and start to think about the short-term, while also recognizing and heeding your own limitations and the peculiar challenges you face in your division? The Rays might have an idea or two ...