Even though they fell short of the playoffs this year, I don’t think the Orioles need to change much as they move forward and begin to focus on next season. With very few Free Agents at the end of this year, the 2014 line-up is likely to be very similar to last years.

By Dan Wanser (MLB Reports Writer)  Follow @DanWanser 

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports

Despite not making the playoffs at 85 – 77, the Baltimore Orioles had a very successful season that they just couldn’t finish off.

With leaders in the line-up like First Baseman Chris Davis and Manny Machado at the Hot Corner, the O’s are poised to be playoff contenders from the very start of next season.

Although there aren’t too many holes to fill, there are some things that need fixing so here’s what I think the Orioles will look like next year.

Chris Davis 2013 Highlights of all HRs – Mature Lyrics So Parental Guidance is A Must

Chris Davis was a huge part in the success of his Oriole team as he carried the team through certain parts of the season with his 53 round-trippers and 138 RBI’s. The organization will need him to show off his power again in 2014 if they want to make a serious postseason run,

First Base – Chris Davis:  “Crush” was without a doubt the best offensive player in this AL East teams line-up last year.

With 53 Homers in 2013, he not only led his team, but he led all of Major League Baseball. As if that wasn’t enough, he also led the AL in the Second of the three Triple-Crown Categories – with his 138 RBI’s.

If he has the same type of season this year as he did in his last one, he will definitely play a big role in the potential postseason run to come.

Fresh off of a Silver Slugger Award, he should also make a huge payraise in Arbitration, however he will be looking to duplicate his numbers going forward.

Second Base – Jonathon Schoop: This is one of the few places I do expect to see someone different than who was there last year.

With 2013 being the last year in Brian Roberts contract, the Organization is most likely going to part ways with the 36 year old and try to move forward with the prospects they have in the farm system.

If needed, Alexi Casilla or Ryan Flaherty  could also fill the role but Casilla is seen as more of a Utility player and isn’t likely to be an everyday starter.

The problem with Flaherty would be his hitting, as he has not produced very much when he has gotten to play. That leaves AAA Second Baseman Jonathon Schoop.

Schoop has played solid defense in his games in the minors, so will definitely be given a chance to win the job in spring training this year.

This is one of the spots that could go in many different directions as we move towards next season, but I expect Baltimore to look to the minors to fill this hole in the line-up.

Shortstop – J.J. Hardy: has one year left on his contract, so his play this year will likely depict whether or not he remains on the team for the 2015 season and beyond.

After a not-so-great 2012 season, Hardy began to prove himself this past year. H

e had one of his best years defensively at Shortstop, and began to find some pop in the bat surpassing his 2012 totals in both Homers and Runs batted in. Just like he was last year, J.J will remain the starter at his position.

Third Base – Manny Machado: The sophomore was a huge part of the Orioles success in 2013, so there is no doubt in my mind that he will be back as the O’s starter at Third Base throughout the 2014 season.

Machado can hit, which he has shown as he lead the American League and was second in the entire MLB with his 51 doubles behind only Matt Carpenter of the Cardinals.

But that’s not where his success ends, as he is also great defensively. If you watch this AL East team play, you almost come to expect a big defensive play by Machado every day.

I’m not sure what people expected Machado to do when he entered the league, but he has definitely surpassed everyone’s expectations and deserves to be a starter.

The only problem he will have looking towards the upcoming season would be the knee surgery he had, but hopefully that won’t keep him off the field.

Catcher – Matt Wieters: He was signed in 2009 as a top prospect and even though he hasn’t quite lived up to the big expectations he had coming in he definitely hasn’t disappointed.

Over the past 5 seasons, Wieters has been excellent defensively and has done his best to be a threat in the line-up as he is about average Offensively for a catcher.

The O’s catcher has at least two more years behind the plate in Baltimore before his contract ends after the 2015 season, but he is likely to be signed to an extension.

Manny Machado and J.J Hardy have been a great combination on the left side of the infield for the Orioles both Offensively and Defensively. With Machado’s great glove at the hot-corner and his ability to drive the ball, he has given the O’s more than they expected from him as Hardy had his best season in a while – both in the field and at the plate.

Left Field – Nate McLouth: Even though he was a free agent at the end of the 2013 season, McLouth is likely to be in Left Field when the 2014 season starts as he signed a one-year deal after the 2012 season – and should get at least another year or two in Baltimore with the season he had.

McLouth was solid both offensively and defensively and has also shown speed on the base-paths.

Center Field – Adam Jones: Adam Jones will without a doubt be the every day starting Center-Fielder for the O’s this season as he still has five years left on his contract and has been great in Baltimore hitting either 3rd or 4th in the batting order and chasing down fly balls in Center.

Jones hit 33 homers last season and was third in the American League in RBI’s with 108 so as long as he is healthy which he has been, he will be on the field and is always a big part of the teams success.

Right Field – Nick Markakis: This will be a big year for Nick Markakis in Right Field as it is a contract year and how he plays will decide whether or not Baltimore exercises its $17 Million Dollar option it has at the end of the season.

Markakis has been pretty good in the outfield throughout his career, but he has also been a little disappointing over the last few years Offensively – as he hasn’t hit more than 15 Homers since the ’09 season and doesn’t get as many doubles as he used to.

The outfielder hit .271 this season which is alright, but he will likely need to do better if he wants to be in Baltimore in 2015.

Among other players that you may see back to the team are Danny Valencia in DH/Utility role – as he carried good numbers in the second half – finishing with a 3 Slash Line of .304/.355/.888 for the campaign, with 8 HRs and 23 RBI in just 161 AB.

This guy is just 29 Years old.  I do think the club should also sign a Free Agent to battle Valencia – as that few amount of Plate Appearances is just not enough of a sample size.

Valencia can also play 3B – if Machado is not 100% ready to take the field coming off of his leg injury. 

Do not look for the team to offer Mike Morse a chance to be their DH.  He has a futile run with Baltimore, going just 3 – 29, (.103 BA) and 1 RBI down the stretch. 

Baltimore is also better to spend any of its big Free Agency money on Starting Pitching.  On a smaller move, maybe bringing in a 2B/OF/DH like Kelly Johnson would be a good idea if the price is right

Overall, the Orioles 2014 lineup is likely going to look very similar to what it did in 2013, with maybe a few slight changes.

The O’s just missed making the playoffs last year, and I think if a few players bring their play to the next level they will find themselves in the postseason in 2014.

If you’re an Orioles fan you loved seeing this at the end of a game as it meant the O’s got a win. The combination of McLouth, Jones, and Markakis in Right, Center, and Left Field has worked out fairly well for Baltimore over the last few years. If this AL East team wants to have continued success, they will need Jones to keep doing what he does, but they may need Markakis and McLouth to step it up a little at the plate

*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com or their partners ***

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A big thank-you goes out to Our writer Dan Wanser for preparing today’s featured article.  Dan is a Baseball Writer for MLB reports. He is a Junior at Pottsville High School in Pottsville, Pennsylvania.

Dan is a huge fan of Chase Utley and Cliff Lee.  He has been a baseball fan his whole life and loves writing about baseball.

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