An Orioles All-Decade Team

I was working on an Orioles all-decade team as I wanted to follow up what James started with his top ten Oriole moments of the decade; however, I was beat to the punch by Shotgun Spratling from the Blue Workhorse, who put together an immaculate list of talent on their blog.

• Catcher, Javy Lopez
• First Base, Jeff Conine
• Second Base, Brian Roberts
• Shortstop, Miguel Tejada
• Third Base: Melvin Mora
• Left Field: Luke Scott
• Center Field: Corey Patterson
• Right Field: Nick Markakis
• Designated Hitter: Aubrey Huff
• Left-Handed Starter: Erik Bedard
• Right-Handed Starter: Mike Mussina
• Reliever: B.J. Ryan
• Closer: Chris Ray

I like their list as written (and it's very solid); however, I do have some changes and recommendations.

I'd go ahead and insert Adam Jones onto the team in place of Patterson by virtue of his Gold Glove and All-Star nod in '09. Patterson, with all his athletic gifts, never lived up to his potential and trying to be a power hitter killed his career. I think if he had cut down his swing and bunted more, he would have been an everyday .280-.300 hitter easily with his speed.

I'd also go ahead and place Sherrill onto the team as the closer instead of Ray by virtue of his All-Star nod in '08. In the end, Sherrill's numbers weren't that great due to shoulder issues after the All-Star Game that year, but I am also throwing in his remarkable numbers in '09 to merit inclusion on the list.

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