From SportingNews.com Orioles 2009 preview The Orioles have suffered through 11 consecutive losing seasons, finishing higher than fourth place just once in that span. Despite a rotation and a bullpen in desperate need of attention, Baltimore did more subtraction than addition this offseason. The team clearly is going with a youth movement, but that approach won't help it compete this season in what was baseball's toughest division in 2008. THREE QUESTIONS 1. Who's in the rotation? Jeremy Guthrie, who had seven career wins in parts of four major league seasons before 2008, was the only Orioles pitcher to reach double digits in wins (10) last season. So, he is the ace. Japanese righthander Koji Uehara, who never has thrown a pitch in the majors, will be the No. 2 starter. And that's about all we know. Behind those two is a collection of question marks that could rival the Riddler's. Baltimore is hoping the change of scenery and reunion with Orioles pitching coach Rick Kranitz and bullpen coach Alan Dunn will help lefthander Rich Hill regain his control. If so, the competition for the final two spots will include Mark Hendrickson (5.07 career ERA), Radhames Liz (74 walks in 109 career innings), David Pauley (five career MLB starts), Brad Hennessey (more than 12 starts once in five big-league seasons), Matt Albers, Troy Patton, Chris Waters and even former closer Danys Baez, who missed the 2008 season after Tommy John surgery. 2. Where won't Ty Wigginton play? And why isn't he starting? He won't pitch, but Wigginton can help just about everywhere else. He can play either corner outfield spot, first base, second base, third base and DH. The Astros non-tendered him this offseason, though that decision was based on economics and not production. Wigginton hit .285 with 23 homers and 58 RBIs for Houston last season, and his versatility actually might be a curse. Because he can play so many positions, he doesn't have a permanent spot -- but will be in the lineup often. For now, Baltimore wants to give Felix Pie, once a top prospect in the Cubs' system, a chance as the starting left field against righthanded pitchers. If Pie fails, Luke Scott likely would take over in left, with Wigginton serving as the primary DH. 3. When will we see Matt Wieters in a Baltimore uniform? This offseason, the Orioles traded veteran catcher Ramon Hernandez and signed veteran catcher Gregg Zaun. But Zaun merely is keeping the position warm for Wieters, who was named Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year in 2008. Baltimore's uber-prospect might not break camp with the Orioles, but that is mainly because of his lack of experience. Wieters has yet to play above the Class AA level. In fact, last season was his first in professional baseball. Between Class A and Class AA, Wieters hit .355 with 27 homers and 91 RBIs, but the feeling is that he needs to polish his defensive skills a bit more. Wieters likely will begin the season at Class AAA, but it's a matter of when -- not if -- he will be promoted. Expect to see him in an Orioles uniform by midseason, if not sooner. PROJECTED LINEUP 1. 2B Brian Roberts. One of game's premier leadoff hitters, basestealers. 2. 3B Melvin Mora. Had first 100-RBI season since 2004; hit .376 after break. 3. RF Nick Markakis. Franchise cornerstone has averaged 22 HRs, 100 RBIs past two seasons. 4. 1B Aubrey Huff. Coming off big bounce-back year (.304-32-108). 5. CF Adam Jones. Speedster packed on 10 pounds of muscle this offseason. 6. DH Luke Scott. Late bloomer has 20-homer pop. 7. C Gregg Zaun. Will provide decent offense, until Wieters arrives. 8. SS Cesar Izturis. Glove man has topped two homers, 40 RBIs once. 9. LF Felix Pie. Cubs castoff just a .223 hitter in 260 MLB at-bats. PROJECTED ROTATION 1. RHP Jeremy Guthrie. If he proves to be a one-year wonder, look out. 2. RHP Koji Uehara. Used mainly in relief the past two seasons in Japan. 3. LHP Rich Hill. Believes a healthy back will correct his mechanics. 4. RHP Radhames Liz. Allowed 16 homers in 17 starts last season. 5. LHP Mark Hendrickson. Journeyman is with fourth team since 2006. PROJECTED CLOSER LHP George Sherrill. Saved 37 games in first season as a closer in '08. GRADES Offense: B. Baltimore finished 11th in the majors in runs scored and 13th in homers and on-base percentage. Adding Mark Teixeira would have helped -- the team made a serious run at him in the offseason -- but four of the five Orioles who hit 20 or more homers last season are back. The offense won't be the problem. Pitching: F. The bullpen is almost as thin as the rotation. Sherrill is solid, but setup man Chris Ray is coming off Tommy John surgery. Behind him are struggling veterans like Jamie Walker (6.87 ERA in 2008) and raw fireballers like Dennis Sarfate (67 walks in 96 1/3 career innings). Bench: C. Wigginton fits in just about anywhere and has a productive bat. Just as versatile but much more injury-prone, Ryan Freel, acquired from Cincinnati in the Hernandez deal, is another valuable piece. There's just not much behind them, however. Manager: D. In a little more than a season and a half as Orioles skipper, Dave Trembley has a .425 winning percentage. Obviously, the team's poor performance isn't all his fault, but Trembley ultimately is judged on wins and losses--and the bottom line isn't pretty. Sporting News prediction: The rebuilding continues, and so will the losing. The Orioles don't yet have the kind of major league-ready young talent the Rays did last season, making a worst-to-first climb all but impossible. Baltimore will spend a second consecutive season in the cellar. --

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