Baltimore Orioles: Not considered 2018 quitters just yet

It might be reassuring to know that Baltimore Orioles fans aren’t the only ones disappointed with their team in the offseason.

Baltimore Orioles fans can also rest assured that the O’s haven’t yet crossed over into the realm of the teams that aren’t even trying to compete in 2018.

Although, fans might beg to differ.

Alex Putterman with The Comeback compiled a list of baseball franchises that have already apparently thrown in the towel on the 2018 season. Some of these teams have announced that they are in the rebuilding process, like the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago White Sox.

But some, like the Miami Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates, appear to have no direction what-so-ever. They simply seem to be cutting salary and will certainly see lots of empty seats in their stadiums.

Where did Putterman place the Orioles? Near the top of the “Trying half-heartedly” column, right under the New York Mets and above the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners. Putterman’s thoughts on this placement:

"“You could argue that by refusing to trade Manny Machado, the Orioles are preparing for a playoff run. You could also, more convincingly, argue that by failing to surround Machado with any notable acquisitions, they are giving themselves little shot in the coming campaign.”"

His words ring true. By keeping Machado, it seems like the Orioles might have one more trick up their collective sleeve. But, the lack of pitching screams otherwise. Machado is surrounded by some outstanding players including the majority of the infield and outfield. But, the situation with the starting pitching is just so troublesome.

As the 2017 World Series showed the baseball world, pitching is important. Two potential Hall of Fame pitchers, Clayton Kershaw and Justin Verlander, were in the last series of the season. Consider the rest of the Astros rotation for 2018: Dallas Keuchel, Gerrit Cole, Lance McCullers, Jr., and Charlie Morton.

No wonder so many teams have already given up.

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The Baltimore Orioles are more than Manny Machado. He has been on the team since 2012 and the Orioles have not played in one World Series game. Yes, the team has made it to the post-season in the Machado years, but not farther than the ALCS where the team did not record a win.

The Orioles fans deserve better than what they are getting right now. Moving Machado to shortstop might help Machado, but will it make the rest of the team better? Will Beckham be a good third baseman?

Without pitching, it is difficult to take the current 2018 Orioles very seriously. The other categories that Putterman used were: “Not even pretending to try”, “Sorta, kinda acting like they’re trying”, and “To-be-determined.”

Next: Trey Mancini named a top left fielder for 2018

I think Putterman was kind in putting the Orioles where he did. From where I see it, until any pitching decisions are made, the Orioles are just acting like they’re trying. But they’re not going to win any awards for the effort.