It wasn’t as if 35 year old Melvin Mora had a poor season, but it was down compared to his production between 2003-2005.  Mora hit .274 last season, scored 96 runs, hit 16 homers, drove in 83 runs and had a .733 OPS.  Those were not bad numbers but the Orioles expected a little more from him and they hope they’ll get it this season.  Mora made 17 errors and has about average range but the Orioles can live with that if Mora hits well.  Look for him to rebound this season with a fine year with the stick.

The Orioles signed soon to be 28 year old Terry Tiffee and they will give him a chance to make the team.  He hasn’t had much success at the major league level to date and he doesn’t have the power that one wants from the hot corner.  He hit .244 with 2 homers and 6 RBIs for the Twins last season in 45 at bats.  He’s also not much of a defender as he made 2 errors in only 51 innings at 3B for the Twins last year.  He’ll be lucky to make the Orioles.

Look for Freddie Bynum and Chris Gomez to also get some playing time at third base for the Orioles this season.

Miguel Tejada has played in all 162 games in each of his last six seasons as he’s following in Cal Ripken Jr’s footsteps. He’s putting up much better numbers than Ripken ever did and he’s the building block of the Orioles team! Tejada hit .330 last season with 24 homers (8th straight season with at least 21 homers), 100 RBIs (achieved 100+ RBIs in 6 of his last 7 seasons) and a .878 OPS which is outstanding! Tejada has good range as a shortstop, but he makes a lot of errors (19 last season) and he needs to improve on that part of his game. Look for Tejada to continue his dominance over the American League with another huge season for the Orioles.

26 year old lefty swinging Brandon Fahey is Tejada’s main back up, but he also played a lot of 2B and in the OF. Fahey has never been much of a hitter in the minor leagues and he didn’t hit well for the Orioles either. Fahey hit .235 with 2 homers, 23 RBIs and a .614 OPS in 251 at bats as a rookie. He didn’t play too well defensively at shortstop for the Orioles as he made 3 errors in 97.1 innings there. He also didn’t show much range.

29 year old switch hitting Brian Roberts will be the starting second baseman for the Orioles again this season and they need him to stay healthy as he makes their offense go.  Roberts hit .286 last season with 85 runs scored, 10 homers, 55 RBIs, 36 steals and a .757 OPS.  Roberts should have another very solid season for the Orioles and he will probably score over 100 runs this year as long as he stays healthy.  He doesn’t have great range on defense, but he only made 9 errors last season.

27 year old lefty swinging Freddie Bynum was acquired in a trade with the Cubs.  He can play 2B and the OF so he will be a valuable part of the Orioles bench.  He hit .257 with 4 homers, 12 RBIs, 8 steals and a .764 OPS in only 136 at bats last season for the Cubs.  Look for Bynum to get at least as much playing time as he got last year for the Cubs and he should be productive.

Chris Gomez and Brandon Fahey could also get some playing time at second base this year for the Orioles.

Non-roster invitee Jose Acevedo is out for the season after hurting himself in a motorcycle accident on Friday.  He broke 4 ribs and a collar bone.  He was going to have a hard time making the Orioles this season as he’s not been too successful in his major league career to date.  Acevedo has a career record of 18-25 with 1 save and a 5.74 ERA (1.45 WHIP).

The Orioles signed 36 year old Steve Trachsel to a 1 year contract last night.  Trachsel will take Kris Benson’s spot in the rotation for the Orioles.  He was 15-8 last season for the New York Mets with a 4.97 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP.  For his career, Trachsel is 134-143 with a 4.28 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP.  Trachsel has won 15 or more games three times in his 14 year career.  His numbers should go up this season as he’s moving from a National League Pitching Park to a American League Hitters Park.  The Orioles might have been better off giving Hayden Penn a shot in the rotation.  Only time will tell.