HITTER TO WATCH:

Scott Moore has a chance to make the club as a utility player; he'd be stretched as an everyday player, but could end up at third if the O's can move Melvin Mora.

PITCHER TO WATCH:

Dennis Sarfate, acquired in the Miguel Tejada trade, has got a power arm and threw well in eight innings of relief for Houston, but has had a history of below-average control.
-- Keith Law, Scouts Inc.

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JUST THE FACTS

• Andy MacPhail has carte blanche. It took a while to get the Erik Bedard deal done, but owner Peter Angelos is allowing his new team president to tear down this eyesore and rebuild.
• He also has a lot of bad contracts. Over the next two seasons, the O's have to pay Melvin Mora $17M (with a no-trade clause), Aubrey Huff $16M, Ramón Hernández $15.5M and Jay Gibbons $12M. Ouch.
• O for a 10-game winner. Without Bedard, the ace is Jeremy Guthrie, who has seven career victories. "That team will be completely at the mercy of the rest of the AL East," says a scout. "They'll have to work to get 55 wins."

HEARSAY

"If I'd been offered that package for Bedard, I would have driven him to Seattle myself," says an AL GM. "Great deal for Baltimore. Adam Jones will be a star in center. They'll do well when they trade Brian Roberts, too."

HOUSE CALL

"Nick Markakis is a classic Oriole: He's not flashy, his technical skills are outstanding, he brings a tremendous work ethic and attitude. And he's a hero to the Greek-American community. I have cousins named Markakis." -- John Sarbanes (D-Md.)
-- Buster Olney

How many games will the Orioles win in 2008? Do they have the top lineup, rotation, bullpen or manager in their division? Did they do the best job improving their team in the offseason with the acquisitions of Adam Jones and George Sherrill? Register your vote.

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SLEEPER

Luke Scott has legitimate 30-homer power and an improving batting eye. He'll shine in his first real opportunity as a starter.

BUST

Melvin Mora's skills have been in steady decline the past two seasons. At age 36, 2008 will likely be his last season as a starter.
-- Will Harris

INJURIES

Aubrey Huff suffered a groin strain while working out in the offseason that initially seemed minor, but by mid-January Huff found himself going under the knife to repair a sports hernia. He was kept from baseball-related activities for approximately six weeks, and then was gradually reintroduced to everything baseball. Huff made his spring debut, as a designated hitter, in early March and has since added some time at first base. Sports hernias are usually one-time injuries, so Huff should be good to go as the season gets underway.
-- Stephania Bell