O's enter '96 with new faces

Baltimore, MD -

1996 will be a season of transition for the Orioles, as the team heads into Spring Training without several key veterans who were dealt away during a firesale in the offseason. Dennis Martinez, Curt Schilling, and Pete Harnisch were all dealt from the rotation, and the offense lost C Chris Hoiles. Most of the prospects acquired in return are still teenagers, so Orioles fans will not get a taste of the future when the team takes the field on Opening Day.

27-year old Mike Mussina was one of the few survivors of the fire sale and will finally claim his place as the team's ace. After signing Mussina to a 5-year, $65 million contract extension, the O's hope this is a role he can hold for several years to come. Rookie Jeff Suppan, acquired in the Schilling trade, will be thrown to the wolves from the #2 spot in the rotation. Mike Oquist earned a callup and the #3 spot after posting a 2.90 ERA in 32 starts at AAA last season. Free agent signing Paul Abbott will hold down the #4 spot, and the #5 spot will go to either Cal Eldred or a lower-end free agent such as Dwight Gooden.

Jose Mesa has a steady hold on the closer role after posting a 2.48 ERA and 33 saves last season. John Habyan, Arthur Rhodes, and Gregg Olson will return after solid performances as well. Mike Jackson was signed as a free agent to improve the late innings, and Rule V pick Jose Paniagua will be an early innings eater. Armando Benitez and Richie Lewis are both slotted for another year at Norfolk, but either pitcher could make a bid if the O's want to carry an extra RP. Scouts believe Brian Bevil needs more Minor League seasoning, but at age 24 time is starting to run out for the talented righty.

Despite trading Hoiles, the O's still have a great deal of Major League catching depth. 24-year old Gregg Zaun continues to develop with the bat, but the coaching staff believes he does not have the glove to be an everyday catcher. Free agent signing Sandy Alomar Jr. will take over as the everyday catcher, after hitting .336/.395/.578 in limited AB's for San Diego. Rule V pick Eli Marrero is not quite ready to be an everyday catcher yet, but he will see a significant amount of playing time at C, LF, and RF.

1B David Segui and 3B Cal Ripken Jr. will return at the corner infield positions, though both are pending free agents and expected to be difficult signs for a last place team. 2B Billy Ripken and SS Manny Alexander will combine to make up the middle infield by default, which has been the subject of mass criticism and could be the worst middle infield combination in team history. SS Abraham Nunez and 3B Morgan Ensberg are both expected to begin the season at Norfolk, but they could move up fast if the regulars struggle as expected.

LF Greg Vaughn, CF Steve Finley, and RF Jeffrey Hammonds will make up the starting OF, with Damon Buford backing up all three positions. The O's are reportedly eager to make Damon Buford an everyday player, which would result in the callup of either Mark Smith or David Dellucci to become the backup OF. Eddie Murray returns as the DH after hitting .334/.391/.528 with 30 HR and 101 RBI as a 39-year old last season.