The Orioles are in a state of flux. They are rebuilding and have a lot of new players who will be tested early on. However, some of the newcomers have major league experience, which will help. They will need RHP Daniel Cabrera to reach his potential and first-time closer George Sherrill to be effective. They will need strong performances from their veteran position players and some additional power wherever they can find it. Still having 2B Brian Roberts to lead off is a gigantic plus.

ROTATION:

1. RHP Jeremy Guthrie

2. RHP Steve Trachsel

3. RHP Daniel Cabrera

4. LHP Adam Loewen

5. LHP Brian Burres or RHP Matt Albers

Trachsel will be a stopgap after pitching rather well for the Orioles in 2007 before being traded to Chicago to close the season. If he can go seven innings in most starts, he will be a big help. Cabrera is a veteran, but it's hard to know whether he will be horrible or great from one start to the next. After those two is a lot of inexperience that will keep manager Dave Trembley's fingers eternally crossed.

BULLPEN:

LHP George Sherrill (closer)

RHP Chad Bradford

LHP Jamie Walker

RHP Dennis Sarfate

RHP Randor Bierd

RHP Greg Aquino or LHP Brian Burres

The acquisition of Sherrill in the trade of Erik Bedard to the Mariners was a key because he has the ability to be a closer although he has not held that role before in the majors. Sherrill, along with Walker and Bradford, both mainstays from 2007, are the only sure things in the bullpen. The others could change around on a regular basis as minor-leaguers impress management enough to make the jump.

LINEUP:

1. 2B Brian Roberts

2. 3B Melvin Mora

3. RF Nick Markakis

4. 1B Kevin Millar

5. DH Aubrey Huff

6. LF Luke Scott

7. C Ramon Hernandez

8. CF Adam Jones

9. SS Luis Hernandez

The first three spots are pretty sure unless Roberts gets traded, which would force a lot of moves from the top to the bottom of the order. Trembley will not hesitate to make changes as he sees fit. If any of the bottom three get hot, it's likely they would be moved up. There isn't a lot of power, but if Huff, Scott or Jones goes on a spree, that too would create movement in the middle.

RESERVES:

C Guillermo Quiroz

INF Brandon Fahey

INF Scott Moore

OF Jay Payton

OF Tike Redman

Having a backup catcher who can hit, as Quiroz has this spring, would be very different for a team that hasn't enjoyed such a luxury in several years. Fahey has considerable experience and can hold his own at the middle infield positions, while Moore has shown he is adequate at the corners and he hits rather well. Both outfielders can play the field but, both are also streaky hitters.

ROOKIE WATCH: SS Luis Hernandez, a terrific fielder, can give the Orioles some things that Miguel Tejada couldn't in recent years. Hernandez can cover some ground and make all kinds of plays, impressing many in his brief stint with the team last year. But can he hit enough? That will be the crucial question.

RHP Randor Bierd, a Rule 5 draft pick from the Tigers, pitched well out of the bullpen this spring.

MEDICAL WATCH:

UT Freddie Bynum (arthroscopic surgery on right knee in March 2008) had to have a torn meniscus repaired. He is out until at least mid-April.

2B Brian Roberts (back stiffness) sat out March 25-26. He is day-to-day.

LHP Troy Patton (torn labrum in left shoulder) had season-ending surgery March 18. He should be able to start throwing in the fall.

RHP Chris Ray (Tommy John surgery in August 2007) might miss all of the 2008 season. There's some hope he could return in August or September.

RHP Danys Baez (Tommy John surgery in September 2007) likely will miss the entire 2008 season.

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