{"id":57569,"date":"2023-02-13T08:00:11","date_gmt":"2023-02-13T13:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=57569"},"modified":"2023-02-12T15:29:21","modified_gmt":"2023-02-12T20:29:21","slug":"a-fluke-for-the-os","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2023\/02\/13\/a-fluke-for-the-os\/","title":{"rendered":"Reasons For and Against 2022 Being A Fluke For The O’s"},"content":{"rendered":"

The\u00a0<\/span>Baltimore Orioles<\/span><\/a>\u00a0were one of the few teams who exceeded expectations in 2022. As a team that consistently finished last in the American League East, they ended the 2022 season a few games out of a wild card spot. They finished 7th in the American League doing better than contenders like the Chicago White Sox<\/a>, Minnesota Twins<\/a>, and Boston Red Sox<\/a>. With their first finish above .500 in six years, fans are uncertain about what to expect in 2023. Fans could argue whether the 2023 Baltimore Orioles are building the next contender or headed back to the AL East basement. Here are the reasons for and against 2022 being a fluke for the O’s.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reasons For and Against 2022 Being A Fluke For the O’s<\/h2>\n

Yes, it was a fluke<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Baltimore Orioles will face the same problems in 2023 as in most seasons. They are a small market team with one of the smallest payrolls in baseball. Currently, the Orioles are 29th in payroll spending\u00a0<\/span>$51 million<\/span><\/a>\u00a0on this year’s roster. About\u00a0<\/span>$82 million<\/span><\/a>\u00a0less than the league average. They are also\u00a0<\/span>23rd in attendance<\/span>, making it hard for revenue to expand. Although their spending is comparable with the Tampa Bay Rays<\/a>, there are still heavy spenders in the division such as the New York Yankees<\/a> and\u00a0<\/span>Toronto Blue Jays<\/span><\/a>. As a result, it is difficult for the Orioles to sign big-name free agents that can drastically improve the lineup.<\/span><\/p>\n

The new element surrounding the team is the controversy around Camden Yards. For 31 years, the ballpark has been a staple of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. However, discussions around the lease’s renewal have been less than ideal. Recently, the Baltimore Orioles rejected a<\/span>\u00a0five-year extension<\/span><\/a>\u00a0to stay at Camden Yards hoping for a lease with a longer term. Ownership has changed hands as\u00a0<\/span>Peter Angelos (93 years old)<\/span>, has left the day-to-day operations to his sons. There have even been talks about relocation out of Baltimore. The noise around the ball club could be bad for business.<\/span><\/p>\n

Statistics of Concern<\/span><\/h3>\n

Looking at the 2022 Orioles’ team statistics, some factors could factor the past season as a fluke. Offensively the Orioles hit .236 collectively, 11th in the American League. They managed\u00a0<\/span>1281 hits<\/span><\/a>, which was also 11th in the American League. In addition, they produced 674 runs, good enough for 10th in the American League. Not to mention a run differential of -8 for 2022. Last season saw the Orioles have losing records against every team in the American League East. Consequently, 47 games were determined by one run (24-23) and nine walk-off wins. The Orioles had a record of <\/span>42-47<\/span><\/a>\u00a0against teams above 500.<\/span><\/p>\n

No, it’s not a fluke<\/span><\/h3>\n

Farm System<\/span><\/h3>\n

On the other hand, many reasons show why the 2022 Baltimore Orioles were not just an outlier. Granted last year was the team’s first winning season since 2016. However, since 2016, the Orioles have been building a contender through the farm system. The biggest asset in the Orioles’ rebuild had been the drafting of catcher Adley Rutschman. The first catcher to be taken first overall since Joe Mauer. After being taken by Baltimore in 2019, he became the star of the Orioles’ farm system and was consistently seen as the best prospect in baseball. He made his debut on May 21, 2022, to the excitement of Baltimore fans. In 113 games, he hit .254\/.362\/.445 with 13 home runs and 42 RBI. Ending his rookie season twelfth in the American League MVP voting. Now heading into his second season, he can only improve from there.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

.@RutschmanAdley<\/a> soaked in this moment before making his MLB debut \ud83d\ude4c<\/p>\n

(via @MLB<\/a>)pic.twitter.com\/Q5cN49ep68<\/a><\/p>\n

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 21, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n