The Orioles withstood several ailments and injuries en route to their 10th straight losing season, and they saw some of their offseason investments work out and some stumble in the task of helping the team move forward. Baltimore poured more than $40 million into the bullpen last winter, but still wound up with the highest relief ERA in team history. Jamie Walker and Chad Bradford both proved capable pieces, but fellow signee Danys Baez and closer Chris Ray both went down with elbow injuries that will keep them out for most, if not all, of next season. The Orioles will have to pay a lot more attention to how they construct their bullpen this winter, and how they go about that task may dictate their entire season.
Miguel Tejada -- who had the fifth-longest consecutive-games streak in history before breaking his wrist this year -- will be back. The Orioles are already well-stocked in the starting rotation, and they'll likely look to add a few more position players via free agency or trade. Baltimore is expected to be busy this winter and will have plenty of options to prove itself.
"I evaluate things one at a time -- one brick at a time," said Andy MacPhail, Baltimore's president of baseball operations. "If you think you're close, you'll make a move. If you think you're a distance away, you'll do things to try to improve your future. A lot of times, the players in the field will take you in one direction or another."

2007 Orioles statistical leaders
Hitting
Pitching
Average: Nick Markakis, .300 Wins: Erik Bedard, 13 Doubles: Markakis, 43 Losses: Daniel Cabrera, 18 Triples: Three players tied at 5 ERA (starter): Bedard, 3.16 Home runs: Markakis, 23 ERA (reliever, min. 10 appearances): Jamie Walker, 3.23 Runs: Brian Roberts, 103 Saves: Chris Ray, 16 RBIs: Markakis, 112 Stolen bases: Roberts, 50
"I've been around enough to know that you can't anticipate the opportunities that become available to you. One domino's going to break one way, and this whole thing's going to follow. If it goes another way, this whole thing's going to follow it there. The best you can do is have the organization prepared as much as possible."

2007 RECAP
Record: 69-93, fourth in AL East.
Defining moment: You can pinpoint it to a single day: Aug. 22. After the Orioles lost, 30-3, in the first half of a home doubleheader against the Texas Rangers -- setting a league record for runs allowed and a team record for largest margin of defeat -- they promptly lost eight straight games and went into a tailspin that lasted for the rest of the season.
What went right: Second baseman Brian Roberts proved he could perform at an All-Star level again, and right fielder Nick Markakis took the next step forward in his maturation process. Left-hander Erik Bedard asserted himself as a staff ace, and Tejada came back healthy after breaking his wrist and ending his consecutive-games streak.
What went wrong: Baltimore had an astonishing run of injuries in both the rotation and bullpen, turning a team strength into a tryout camp in August and September. Catcher Ramon Hernandez was hurt and ineffective when healthy, as was designated hitter Jay Gibbons. Most of the same faces will be back, but right-handers Jaret Wright and Kris Benson will likely opt for free agency.
Biggest surprise: Right-hander Jeremy Guthrie went from waiver wire pickup to dependable starter in a matter of months, and the Orioles will be expecting him to reprise a similar role next season.

FORECAST FOR 2008
Lineup: The Orioles have virtually their entire starting lineup under contract for next year, with the notable exception of center fielder Corey Patterson, who is eligible for free agency. Barring any trades, Baltimore's starting infield -- Roberts, Tejada, third baseman Melvin Mora and first baseman Kevin Millar -- will remain intact for the third straight season. The Orioles will likely look to add two outfielders to supplement Markakis -- one to start, and one to push left fielder Jay Payton for playing time.
Rotation: Baltimore is beginning to show signs of frustration with Daniel Cabrera, but the Orioles have a stable rotation core in the right-handed Guthrie added to lefties Bedard and Adam Loewen. Bedard was among the contenders for the American League's Cy Young Award when his season ended due to an oblique injury suffered on Aug. 26. Loewen's development might be the X-factor for Baltimore, and he'll be watched carefully as he returns from surgery to repair a stress fracture in his elbow.

• Orioles season in review
• No playoffs, but Orioles take steps toward their goals
• Second half photo gallery


Bullpen: The Orioles were hit hard when Ray and Baez elected to undergo Tommy John surgery on their respective right pitching elbows, a corrective procedure that will keep both of them out for most or all of the 2008 season. Left-hander Walker and right-hander Bradford will be back, and the Orioles will sift among many arms next spring to build around that core. Right-handers Rocky Cherry and Jon Leicester will both get chances to fill a role, as will left-hander Brian Burres.
Biggest need: The Orioles had a middling offense and need another power bat or two to protect Tejada and Markakis, and they also need to find a few veteran relievers capable of working in the late innings.
Prospect to watch: Catcher Matt Wieters should rise quickly through the organization and could end next season at or above Double-A Bowie. Wieters is reputedly a legitimate threat to be ready to make the big league leap by 2009.
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Hasn't been a good season for the O's, I hope they bounce back, and win the WC and the Yankees win the division and the WS