Call to the Pen’s Take on the Orioles and Duquette

Recently, Mickey Brignall, a writer for FanSided’s general baseball blog, Call to the Pen, wrote an article analyzing what Dan Duquette needs to do this season for the Orioles to be successful.

You can read the full article here, but I do just want to mention a few things he said that really stuck out to me.

"The Orioles are a younger team that should get better. Dan Duquette should try and work on developing these guys, but assuming he’ll want to win some sooner than later, I think he needs to sign an impact free-agent starting pitcher to grab a spot in his rotation. In mid-July if things are still ugly like they have been the last few years, he can deal Jeremy Guthrie and/or Adam Jones and blow things up a bit."

I completely agree with him here. The Orioles should go for a big player or two in the off-season. No one’s really expecting them to, especially with a new GM, but maybe that’s just what this team needs. A good starting pitcher or two and a bat in the line-up. He goes on to say…

"The more I think about it, the O’s should be players for these three guys: Aramis Ramirez, Edwin Jackson, and maybe Jon Garland. Starting pitching needs a boost. Edwin Jackson can be had if they commit a slight over pay, and even though he will get hit around, he still has the stuff to be very good."

Again, yes. Aramis Ramirez would be the extra bat in the line-up and also the major upgrade defensively at third. This would allow Chris Davis to play his position at first and Mark Reynolds DH. Edwin Jackson isn’t C.J. Wilson, but he’s good. And he just won a World Series ring. Jon Garland is another step down but is still better than almost anyone the Orioles have.

Head over to Call to the Pen for all your general baseball news and opinions!