Locked On Orioles

Things look bleak for the Orioles over the next five seasons, according to ESPN's Future Power Rankings. The Birds rank 28th out of MLB's 30 teams. Ouch.Dan Szymborski, ESPN analyst and co-author of the rankings, joins us to discuss how Baltimore's outlook is hindered by a weak farm system, indecisive front office and ineffective offseason moves. The Orioles, he says, likely need to completely change their culture if they are going to compete in the mighty American League East.It's not all bad, however. Szymborski says Orioles have some reason to be optimistic about young pitchers like Kevin Gausman, Dylan Bundy, Hunter Harvey and Tanner Scott.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tim Beckham? Colby Rasmus? Adam Jones? Who will be the Orioles' leadoff hitter for the 2018 season?The problem, as always, is that the O's lack high on-base percentage hitters to slot into the leadoff spot. Would Buck Showalter consider a rookie like Chance Sisco or Austin Hayes? What about a veteran like Alex Presley? Tyler Young of Camden Chat joins us to discuss Baltimore's less-than-inspiring choices to hold down the No. 1 spot in the lineup. Also, we discuss where Jonathan Schoop and Manny Machado figure to bat.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Orioles superstar, who has been on fire so far this spring, will almost certainly leave the team via free agency after the season. So does Baltimore trade him now while his value is high or hope to ride his hot bat to contention in 2018? And when do they make that decision? How close do a playoff spot do they have to be to hold on to Machado?Ryan Fagan of Sporting News joins us to discuss that and more. Among topics addressed: Do the Orioles try to add Alex Cobb or another arm before the season starts and what will become of Adam Jones? Also, Justin McGuire bids farewell to former Orioles relief pitcher Sammy Stewart. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An Oriole has been named American League MVP five times, from Brooks Robinson in 1964 to Cal Ripken Jr. in 1991.Author Jeremy Lehrman joins us to take an in-depth look at each selection and whether it was justified. Also, Lehrman answers whether any Oriole was ever robbed of the award.Plus, host Justin McGuire has the grisly details of Wednesday's Grapefruit League loss to the Cardinals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Starting pitcher Kevin Gausman will be key to the Orioles' success this year, but what can fans expect from the 27-year-old righthander? Kyle Andrews of FOX Sports Radio 1340 joins us to talk about Gausman and the rest of the Birds' starting rotation.Among topics discussed: Will Baltimore add another starting pitcher? Will Austin Hays and Chance Sisco be in the majors on Opening Day? Will Buck Showalter be back in 2019? How about Adam Jones?Give it a listen and let us know what you think. Drop us a line at lockedonorioles@gmail.com and suggest show topics and guests and ask us questions for our mailbag segment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It won't be long before the Orioles are looking for help down on the farm. What kind of talent is available?Luke Siler of Orioles Hangout joins us to take a look at the top 10 prospects in the Orioles system, including Austin Hays, Chance Sisco and Hunter Harvey. Will any of these players be part of the next era or Baltimore baseball. Siler's ranking the O's top prospects can by found here.We also take a look at the Birds' slow Grapefruit League start.So give it a listen, share it with your friends, and pop on over to @LockedOnOrioles on Twitter to say how much you loved it. For longer screeds, or to submit mailbag questions, hit up LockedOnOrioles@gmail.com or just tweet them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Under Buck Showalter, the Orioles frequently win more games than the various advanced stat forecasting systems say they should. How much credit should the manager get for that? Russell Carleton tackled that question in the Baseball Prospectus 2018 annual. He joins us to discuss what he found and give us his thoughts on the 2018 Birds, the future of Austin Hays and more.Also, host Justin McGuire gives his thoughts on the Colby Rasmus signing.So give it a listen, share it with your friends, and pop on over to @LockedOnOrioles on Twitter to say how much you loved it. For longer screeds, or to submit mailbag questions, hit up LockedOnOrioles@gmail.com or just tweet them.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

All O's, all the time.The first episode of Locked on Orioles is here. Get to know host Justin McGuire and hear what he has in store for the daily podcast focused on your beloved Birds.Joining Justin for our first episode is special guest Matt Kremnitzer of Camden Depot. Justin and Matt preview the 2018 season and address such burning issues as Buck Showalter's future with the team, filling out the starting rotation and whether Mark Trumbo and Chris Davis can bounce back from disastrous 2017 performances.And, of course, they talk about Manny Machado's future. Sigh,So give it a listen, share it with your friends, and pop on over to @LockedOnOrioles on Twitter to say how much you loved it. For longer screeds, or to submit mailbag questions, hit up LockedOnOrioles@gmail.com or just tweet them.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices