The Oriole Windfall for 2011, Part 4

Here is the final (reasonable) roster I would be shooting for in 2011 if I ran the Orioles. I have left trades out of the equation because that can just become a silly guessing game from the outside. I have stuck to current players and free agents.

C - Wieters

1B - Dunn

2B - Roberts

3B - Bell

SS - Izturis

RF - Markakis

CF - Jones

LF - Pie

DH - Scott

OF - Reimold

Utility - Wigginton

Utility - Andino

Backup Catcher  - Tatum

Thoughts: I would go hard after Dunn and plug him in at first base. Defense at 1B is overrated. I feel OK giving Bell the chance to get a full season under his belt in the majors. Wiggy could be brought back to spell Bell and Dunn at third and first respectively. 

Shortstop was tough. A commenter pointed out that J.J. Hardy is not a free agent after all, even though he was listed that way on Cot's Contracts. The pickings are slim after that. Jhonny Peralta looks to resign with the Tigers, Omar Infante and Alex Gonzalez had their options picked up by the Braves. Giving the job to Robert Andino would be cheap but he could turn out to be the second coming of Luis Hernandez. A short, cheap contract for Izzy is probably the best bet via free agency.

Craig Tatum did a fine job as the backup catcher in 2010. Andino or a castoff veteran can fulfill the middle infield role.

SP - Matusz

SP - Guthrie

SP - Vasquez

SP - Arrieta

SP - Bergesen

RP - Tillman

RP - Vandenhurk

RP - Berken

RP - Hernandez

RP - Patton

RP - Johnson

RP - Gonzalez

I still think signing a veteran starter is good insurance. Javier Vasquez will come fairly cheap and short term.

Moving Chris Tillman to the pen will give him big league experience and he can work on his cutter. Tillman, Vandenhurk, Berken and Hernandez give the O's a dynamic bullpen as all of those guys could pitch 2+ innings. Patton and Gonzo provide the lefty arms. 

The projected lineup and payroll:

Dunn, Adam 1B              $15,000,000    
Markakis, Nick rf          $10,600,000    
Roberts, Brian 2b          $10,000,000    
Scott, Luke dh-of           $7,500,000    
Gonzalez, Mike lhp          $6,000,000    
Vasquez, Javier P           $5,500,000    
Guthrie, Jeremy rhp-s       $5,000,000    
Wigginton, Ty 3b            $2,500,000    
Jones, Adam cf              $2,300,000    
Izturis, Cesar ss           $1,500,000    
Matusz, Brian lhp           $1,400,000    
Pie, Felix lf               $1,000,000    
Andino, Robert if             $700,000    
Johnson, Jim rhp              $700,000    
Bergesen, Brad rhp            $500,000    
Hernandez,D rhp               $500,000    
Bell, Josh 3b                 $500,000    
Berken, Jason rhp             $500,000    
Patton, Troy lhp              $500,000    
Reimold, Nolan of             $500,000    
Tatum, Craig c                $500,000    
Tillman, Chris rhp            $500,000    
Wieters, Matt c               $500,000    
Vandenhurk, R P               $500,000    
Arrieta, Jake P               $500,000    
     
                           $75,200,000 

That is an mildly improved team for just a touch over the 2010 Opening Day payroll. The Orioles can certainly afford to take on some payroll via trade (hopefully, a shortstop and/or starting pitcher) to improve the team further. Time to buy a bat, Andy.