As the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers battle it out for the 2017 World Series title, other ball clubs are preparing for 2018. The Baltimore Orioles began their 2018 journey today by offering one-year contracts to their entire major league coaching staff.
Baltimore Orioles' manager Buck Showalter will have his entire coaching staff back with him at Camden Yards in 2018
With contracts set to expire on November 1, the Orioles have offered one-year contract extensions to hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh, pitching coach Roger McDowell, and others within the organization.
Many fans wondered if Roger McDowell would return in 2018.
The Orioles' pitching staff had a team Earned Run Average of 5.70. It was the highest earned run average in major league baseball. After reaching the playoffs in 2016, the team failed to advance to the postseason this year, largely due to an ineffective pitching staff. It seems as if the players never lost confidence in McDowell, among other coaches.
Many Orioles' players campaigned to bring coaches back
Hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh has been instrumental in the progress of second baseman Jonathan Schoop, and rookie outfielder Trey Mancini. Schoop was an all-star in 2017 and Mancini slugged 24 home runs with a .293 batting average on the year.
According to MASN.com reporter, Roch Kubatko, first baseman Chris Davis campaigned for the return of Coolbaugh. The two also plan to work together this offseason down in Texas.
Kubatko also reports that many Orioles' pitchers expressed a desire to have pitching coach Roger McDowell return in 2018.
McDowell could have a pitching staff that looks very different from 2017.
Chris Tillman, Ubaldo Jimenez, Jeremy Hellickson, and Wade Miley are all free agents. General Manager Dan Duquette has been noted as saying that he will look to add starting pitching depth in the offseason, notably left-handed pitchers.
Other coaches set to return for the Orioles include first base coach Wayne Kirby, bench coach John Russell, third base coach Bobby Dickerson, bullpen coach Alan Mills, and assistant hitting coach Howie Clark.
Can the Orioles rebound?
While 2017 did not meet expectations, the Baltimore Orioles remain primed to be contenders in the American League East. The emergence of rookies Trey Mancini, Chance Sisco, and Austin Hays fill many possible voids in next year's lineup.
The potential hiccup will once again come from the pitching staff. The free agent market appears thin with the amount of money the Orioles are willing to spend. Looking into the depths of their minor league system, a few names may surprise fans.
Do not be surprised to see guys like Jayson Aquino, Chris Lee, and David Hess make a strong push for a starting rotation job in the spring.
Even through personal struggles and losing streaks, Orioles' players never once openly complained about the coaching staff. With leaders like Adam Jones and Manny Machado on the roster, expect a respectable rebound next season and a possible return to the playoffs.
