Fwiw

[Anonymous]

Hennessey will need a big spring to make that happen. He is on a minor league contract which makes him a surprise starter who needs to earns his way into the rotation but most likely begins the year at AAA in the pen. Penn has yet to show he has the durability to be a starter.

If they sign Looper I doubt Hendrickson makes the rotation. Penn chances of making the rotation are based on him earning it. He is more likely to join Hendrickson in the pen. Penn hasn't shown he has the durability to be a starter.

I think the O's will probably favor Pauley because he is out of option and probably does not make it through waivers.

Baez has to earn a spot in the rotation, but what better way to raise his value for a July deadline trade then putting him in the rotation if he is up to it.

Guthrie

Looper

Uehara

Baez

Pauley

Sherrill

Johnson

Ray

Sarfate

Walker

Penn

Hendrickson

Out of Options: Bass, Burres, Simon (probably need to go through waivers to get Looper, Gomez and Moeller on the roster)

Kid Gloves Treatment (and optionable): Albers, Patton

Optionable: Liz, Waters

Minor league contract: Hennessey (could pitch his way on the team especially if Baez does not pitch his way into the rotation)

Good analysis, wc. I like the alignment you suggested. Your caveat on Baez is duly noted and sensible. I think there needs to be a major caveat on Walker as well, as the 2008 version of Jamie just ain't gonna cut it (although it may cut him). We'll see if he has a bounce-back.

I'm still way higher than most other posters on both Bass and Simon. So I'd like to see them have a full shot in the competition (and don't see any reason why they wouldn't get that chance to compete along with all the others).

I also don't understand what Gomez and Moeller have to do with any of these pitchers needing to go through waivers. Clearly, someone (not necessarily one of these three) would have to be dropped from the 40-man if/when Looper gets inked. By the time Gomez and Moeller are added, there's no question that we will have identified at least two 40-man no-options guys who are not making the OD roster and will have to be passed through waivers anyway. We won't need to make additional cuts just for Gomez and Moeller to be added.