Baltimore Orioles: Welcome to this year

2016 is now “this year” for the Baltimore Orioles.

I usually start every new year off in similar fashion, by announcing that it’s now this year for the Baltimore Orioles. Let me be clear; that’s another way of turning nothing into something in terms of writing a column. Espcially this early on New Year’s morning.

Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

But New Year’s Day is one of those markposts in the off season in my mind. Are things that vastly different today than they were yesterday? Not really. However in using the term this year in reference to the Orioles, we can now refer to the coming season. It no longer refers to the just-completed 2015 campaign.

And yes folks, hope springs eternal every year. So in fact this is a worthwhile markpost. This is not to say that the season’s more than one day closer. But we’re getting there.

Live Feed

Max Fried rumors: 4 trade packages to get the Braves to budge /

FanSided

Sandy Alcantara rumors: 4 monster trade packages to get the Marlins to budgeFanSided

Baltimore Orioles looking at Rich Hill as another stopgapCall to the Pen

Baltimore Orioles keep eyeing stopgap options in rotationCall to the Pen

Last-Chance DraftKings and FanDuel Maryland Promo Codes: How to Bet $40 and Get $700 Before Offer EndsFanSided

MLB Power Rankings: Where all 30 teams rank after the Winter MeetingsFanSided

So if you’re anything like me and you’re sitting down to watch the college bowl games today, keep in mind that pitchers and catchers report to spring training two weeks after the Super Bowl. That’s next month, and yes it’s this year. Go figure!

Next: Baltimore Orioles: Yoenis Cespedes coming to town?

So on that note what’s the outlook for the Orioles this year? Let’s finish buildin the roster first, but that will come in due course. All things will come…in due course.