Chris Tillman News

Which of Baltimore's rookie pitchers from 2009 do you see having the strongest '10 season or career for that matter? -- Mike V., Rochester, N.Y. This question is really a matter of taste, and you could get three different answers from three different analysts.

It won't be giving away any state secrets to say that when MLB.com's annual lists of "10 Players to Watch" are revealed in January, the Baltimore Orioles' postseason Top 10 will be drastically different from their preseason Top 10.

The Orioles opted for a modicum of stability amid their rebuilding by committing long-term money to Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis.

Of course there is room for optimism.A Every fan has that in the offseason.A Hoping there club can make the right moves to drive his or her home team to the playoffs.

The Baltimore Orioles are very close to re-emerging as a force in the American League East.

Orioles: Is Uggla the answer? One of the first players to surface in Orioles trade speculation this offseason was Florida Marlins infielder Dan Uggla, who would certainly add some pop to the O's lineup, but probably wouldn't be joining Adam Jones on next year's list of Gold Glove winners after reluctantly switching from second to third base.

The Orioles are in need of a couple things this offseason. What is the most important thing the O's need to take care of through either free agency or a trade? -- Pat R., Forest Hill, Md.

Chavez made tremendous strides in 2009. Overmatched at Low-A in 2008 and batting .211/.272/.323 as a 19-year-old, Chavez returned to the Lugnuts this year and raised his OPS by 227 points, finishing second in the Midwest League with 21 home runs, and third with 241 total bases.

Jeremy Guthrie doesn't need statistics to tell him how his year went. Guthrie, Baltimore's Opening Day starter in each of the past two seasons, is well known as one of most analytical players in the league, and he said at the end of the year that he can take perspective from knowing that he's better than he pitched.

Koji Uehara had a rough year injury-wise, but we have seen how well he does the first time around a lineup.

The road to success begins with grit, determination, and whatever. Photo: AP Writers use a number of terms when they want to compliment a player but they don't want to do any work.

One less prospect for the 2010 Handbook : Yusei Kikuchi decided Sunday that he won't follow Junichi Tazawa's path.

I love Matt Cain. Let's get that out of the way immediately, so you don't go forward thinking I would actually want to deal the young stud right-hander. There is no argument, however, to be made against the fact that the Giants desperately need to add some serious offense to their lineup, and some depth in the upper levels of the organization.

Baltimore Orioles The Orioles spent another season in the basement, but the parade of elite talent gives them plenty of hope now, even in the AL East.

Reid Brignac, ss, Durham 11. Jake Arrieta, rhp, Norfolk 12. Fernando Martinez, of, Buffalo 13.

Serviceable as backup and really stepped up after Izturis' appendectomy. Aubrey Huff 13 homers C- Just never got going and eventually was traded for Single-A reliever.

In what potentially could be the last inning thrown by Brian Matusz this season, the Orioles' rookie left-hander provided one more sign of hope, and yet another reminder of how good he could become.

Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman pitched to catcher Matt Wieters during the 2008 season at Double-A Bowie.

Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts said he didn't set out this season to justify the four-year, $40 million extension he signed in February.

It was a step back in the standings, a step forward in terms of development. The Orioles may not have taken the next step in 2009, but they managed to successfully introduce several high-caliber prospects to the big leagues.