New Look Orioles lineup should win more games

Its been a long time since baseball was relevant in Baltimore.  Their last playoff appearance was in 1997, and since has won over 75 games just three times, and once since 1999.  To add to that, the last time the O's eclipsed the 70 win mark was on 2006.  Over the offseason, however, their chances of turning this trend got that much better as a result of the team being one of the most aggressive teams in the Major Leagues, making several trades and free agent signings.  The biggest change from the offseason being the lineup.

In 2010, the Orioles scored the second lowest runs in the American League (613), the only team scoring less than them of course was the Seattle Mariners.  As a result, the team decided to re-tool, going out an upgrading at 1B, 3B, SS, DH, and LF.  At 1B is Derrek Lee (.260/19/80 in 2010) replacing Ty Wigginton (.248/22/76 in 2010), however Lee did hit .306 with 35 HR/111 RBI to go along with a .972 OPS in 2009.  At 3B Mark Reynolds (32 HR/85 RBI in 2010) replaces Josh Bell/Miguel Tejada (combined .254/10 HR/51 RBI).  At SS they are bringing in JJ Hardy, who had a tough 2010 but did average 140 gms., a .267 AVG and 20 HR and 67 RBI in the 3 previous seasons in Milwaukee.  Vladimir Guerrero comes in at DH, who has hit .321 in the last 13 seasons averaging 33 HR and 107 RBI and a .952 OPS, to go along with a .300 AVG/29 HR/115 RBI in 2010 with Texas.  The 2010 DH, Luke Scott (.284/27 HR/72 RBI) will move out to LF, replacing Felix Pie/Corey Patterson, who combined to hit .272/13 HR/63 RBI in 2010.

To add to that, the team brings back Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, and Matt Wieters, all promising young players who should see their numbers benefit from these additions to the lineup.  It is a lineup that now looks similar to a lineup that has been seen by teams like the Red Sox, Yankees, and Blue Jays in past years.  This is a team that is going to score a lot of runs, which will lead to more wins.  If the pitching staff can step up, it could be just enough to let them play baseball in October for the 1st time in 14 years.