To that end, here's a team made up of the best Oriole players of the 00's. Some of this list is a bit depressing but this is just to remind us all of the bright spots before we mercifully close the door on this miserable decade (and more).
Catcher - Javy Lopez (2004-2006)
AVG OBP SLG OPS 2B HR SB
Lopez .293 .343 .468 .811 72 46 0
Lopez was not a great defensive catcher but actually hit pretty well for two of the three seasons he was an Oriole. In the great wasteland of Oriole catchers during the aughts, Lopez stands alone.
1B - David Segui (2001-2004)
AVG OBP SLG OPS 2B HR SB
Segui .287 .375 .425 .800 35 18 2
Another guy who looks great compared to the other guys at his position is Segui. Over portions of 3 seasons, Segui was a steady performer at the plate and flashed a pretty slick glove. He also reportedly showed some young guys the ropes in regards to chemically enhancing your play...but I'm leaving him in.
2B - Brian Roberts (2001-2009)
AVG OBP SLG OPS 2B HR SB
Roberts .284 .355 .421 .776 316 76 255
Through all the ups and downs that Baltimore has had this decade, there has been one guy who fans could look to for excellence in every facet of the game. Roberts led all Orioles in doubles during the 00's, is in the top 5 for the entire American League and only second to Jeff Kent among all major league second basemen. Of course, he also led all Orioles in stolen bases with 255.
In addition to this, he has been a the face of the Orioles in the community and a fan favorite for a team that has been pretty horrendous.
3B - Melvin Mora (2000-2009)
AVG OBP SLG OPS 2B HR SB
Mora .280 .355 .439 .794 250 158 82
As much as I have slagged Mora for his play in 2009, he has had a very nice career for Baltimore and will always be remembered as one of the great Oriole third baseman. Ok, maybe that's because after Brooks Robinson the pickings have been slim at the hot corner. But as a whole, Mora turned himself into a pretty decent fielder, had some monster seasons at the plate and was a steady presence for almost 10 seasons.
He leads all Orioles in hits and home runs for the decade.
SS - Miguel Tejada (2004-2007)
AVG OBP SLG OPS 2B HR SB
Tejada .311 .362 .501 .863 146 102 17
It was easy to pick apart Tejada's game. He tended to lose power over the course of his stay, his baserunning mistakes were maddening and his fielding was not always great. But as a total package, Tejada was arguably the best player to don the black and orange this decade. He played a premium defensive position and he hit .300 and knocked in 20 homers his first three seasons (and just missed both marks in his 4th).
It's tough to replace that kind of production at shortstop as we have seen.
LF - Luke Scott (2008-2009)
AVG OBP SLG OPS 2B HR SB
Scott .257 .339 .482 .821 52 47 2
Left field was an offensive black hole as B.J. Surhoff aged and then retired. But finally, Scott came over from Houston as one of the many spare parts in the Miguel Tejada trade and provided more than adequate offense from left in 2008 and 2009 (although he's been mostly a DH in '09).
He's a flawed hitter (can't hit lefties, streaky) but he's a lot of fun to watch and supplies a ton of raw power to the lineup.
CF - Adam Jones (2008-2009)
AVG OBP SLG OPS 2B HR SB
Jones .274 .323 .428 .751 43 28 20
The jewel of the Erik Bedard trade has become the best Oriole center fielder of the decade after only parts of two seasons.
RF - Nick Markakis (2006-2009)
AVG OBP SLG OPS 2B HR SB
Markakis .298 .367 .470 .837 158 75 35
Markakis was rushed from AA and struggled mightily during his first 2 months in the big leagues. Since then, he's been a .300 hitter with Gold Glove caliber defense in right. He leads all Orioles in OPB for the decade and was only second in OPS to Miguel Tejada.
DH - Aubrey Huff (2007-2009)
AVG OBP SLG OPS 2B HR SB
Huff .282 .341 .473 .814 106 60 5
A mediocre hitter who had one monster season in 2008. Another failing of The Warehouse is that Huff is the best DH Baltimore had.
Bench - Ramon Hernandez (2006-2008)
AVG OBP SLG OPS 2B HR SB
Hernandez .264 .328 .427 .755 69 60 5
Hernandez's value came mainly in 2006 and he dropped off precipitously after that. Rough decade for catchers. Thank God for Matt Wieters.
Bench - Jeff Conine (2000-2006)
AVG OBP SLG OPS 2B HR SB
Conine .286 .342 .440 .782 122 66 32
Conine's flexibility in the field and decent bat made him a valuable role player early in the decade and would make him an excellent bench player for this team.
Bench - Mike Bordick (2000-2002)
AVG OBP SLG OPS 2B HR SB
Bordick .261 .324 .418 .742 54 31 22
Bordick had a slick glove and managed to swing a pretty good bat for a "good glove, no hit" player. And we traded him to the Mets for Melvin Mora. Good value.
Bench - Tony Batista (2001-2003)
AVG OBP SLG OPS 2B HR SB
Batista .245 .293 .433 .726 72 69 14
Batista manned third for three seasons and, while not good, was better than he seemed at the time. Lots of raw power, not much discipline.
SP - Erik Bedard (2002-2007)
G CG SHO W L K BB HR ERA
Bedard 114 1 1 40 34 639 254 58 3.83
By far, the best Oriole pitcher of the group and the best Oriole pitcher since Mike Mussina. In between stints to the DL, Bedard was dominating. While he was here, Beadard set the Oriole record for strikeouts in a season
SP - Jeremy Guthrie (2007-2009)
G CG SHO W L K BB HR ERA
Guthrie 92 2 0 27 32 343 160 78 4.12
Guthrie was a 1st round bust for Cleveland when Baltimore picked him up off of waivers before the 2007 season. He had surpassed all expectations to become the steadiest Oriole starter since he arrived (even including his sub-par 2009).
SP - Sidney Ponson (2000-2005)
G CG SHO W L K BB HR ERA
Ponson 160 22 4 53 64 639 343 126 4.84
I guess the thing ot point out about Ponson is that he had 22 complete games as an Oriole and is only behind Mike Mussina among Orioles who played after 1990.
SP - Daniel Cabrera (2004-2008)
G CG SHO W L K BB HR ERA
Cabrera 147 6 2 48 59 651 478 88 5.05
I cannot revisit D-Cab's Oriole career. I just can't. Oriole leader in strikeouts during the 00's.
SP - Rodrigo Lopez (2002-2006)
G CG SHO W L K BB HR ERA
Lopez 167 5 2 60 58 614 281 128 4.72
Lopz makes the list. Winningest Oriole pitcher of the decade.
RP - Buddy Groom (2000-2004)
G SV W L K BB HR ERA
Groom 330 18 15 13 212 72 26 3.91
Groom was pretty good. The lefty pitched 285 innings over the 5 seasons with the Orioles and served as a workhorse when the O's needed him most.
RP - Jim Johnson (2006-2009)
G SV W L K BB HR ERA
Johnson 116 9 6 10 88 54 9 3.66
Converted starter who dominated in a setup role. (A role he may soon be returning to.) Teamed up with George Sherrill to form a nice 1-2 punch at eh end of games.
RP - George Sherrill (2008-2009)
G SV W L K BB HR ERA
Sherrill 99 51 3 6 97 46 9 3.71
When I start to worry about who will close for the O's in 2010, I remember that Sherrill arrived with no closing experience whatsoever. He was servicable in that role and made the All-Star team in '08.
RP - BJ Ryan (2000-2005)
G SV W L K BB HR ERA
Ryan 391 42 15 19 436 182 29 3.57
Feels like Ryan should have more saves here. But Ryan was very good for 5 full seasons, striking out opposing batters at unbelieveable rates.
RP - Chris Ray (2005-2009)
G SV W L K BB HR ERA
Ray 188 49 10 16 176 82 27 3.91
After Ryan split for Toronto, Ray stepped in and was every bit as good as the Oriole closer. An injury has derailed him a bit but there's hope he can return to form.
RP - Chad Bradford (2007-2008)
G SV W L K BB HR ERA
Bradford 125 2 7 10 42 23 3 3.00
Of all the free agent relievers the Orioles signed this decade, Bradford was the only one to earn his money. He kept the ball in the park and was a nice matchup guy for righties.
RP - Jorge Julio (2001-2005)
G SV W L K BB HR ERA
Julio 281 83 11 24 257 133 42 4.20
Yeah, he makes the list. I think I have enough distance on Julio now to mention that he was really awesome in 2002. That's about all I have.
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