Baltimore signed Kerry Ligtenberg to a one-year $1.2M contract in mid-January. The deal includes a $200,000 buyout on a $1.2M option for 2004. Ligtenberg remains an effective reliever, although his walk rate has crept up to 4.5 BB/9 since he underwent Tommy John surgery in 1999. The 31-year-old adds valuable depth to a bullpen with a solid core and is expected to share right-handed setup duties with Willis Roberts. Baltimore's defense should play a significant role in his success or failure with his new team, as Ligtenberg relies on a low hit rate in order to compensate for the additional walks he allows. A small rise in his hits and Ligtenberg's ERA could shoot up substantially.

The Orioles settled with two arbitration players in the second half of January. Gary Matthews, Jr. agreed to a one-year, $900,000 contract. Matthews adjusted well to the American League, improving his contact rate and maintaining a solid walk rate. The 28-year-old only has mediocre power skills, but he's fairly fleet on the basepaths. Matthews stands out among Baltimore's numerous outfielders and will likely receive close to full-time play, as he did last season before a strained wrist ended his year early. Given his power was already limited, I don't expect Matthews' production to be overly affected by the wrist injury in 2003.

Meanwhile, Baltimore signed B.J. Ryan to a $726,500 one-year contract, which was the mid-point between the $700,000 the Orioles were offering in arbitration and the $825,000 for which Ryan was asking. Ryan had some control problems in the first half of the season, but by the end of the year, he appeared to have corrected most of them. Between Ryan and Buddy Groom, the Orioles have one of the more effective lefty relief teams.

Baltimore continues to add depth to their system by signing players to minor league contracts, including RHP Darwin Cubillan, LHP Bill Pulsipher, C-R Steve Lomasney, IF-R Jeff Reboulet, 3B-R Brian Rios, OF-L Pedro Swann, and IF-R John Valentin.

Darwin Cubillan has one of the better names in baseball, but he needs to improve his control if he ever expects to be in the keeper pile after the unnatural selection process of Spring Training. I don't expect the 28-year-old to make an impact in the majors in 2003.

Pulsipher had difficulty finding a job last season and ultimately only pitched 3.2 innings with a major league affiliate last season. First Texas signed him to a minor league deal and then dumped him before the start of the season. He sat out two weeks before finding a minor league gig with the Yankees, and then injured his groin less than a month later, causing New York to release him before June. The 29-year-old made the right choice when he switched to relief in 2001, as he wasn't cutting it as a starter, but I think he needs most of a season in AAA to determine whether the change can salvage his career. Thankfully, provided Groom and Ryan remain healthy, the Orioles shouldn't have any reason to disturb him at AAA.

Lomasney's more likely to spend a little time in the majors now that Ivan Rodriguez won't be joining the Orioles. However, Baltimore should continue to use Geronimo Gil and Brook Fordyce as their primary catchers, so he's only injury insurance. After suffering an eye injury at the end of the 2001 season, Lomasney spent most of 2002 rehabbing at AA. While he posted a strong walk rate and offers a little power, his contact rate continues to fall, so he really doesn't belong in the majors at this time.

The 38-year-old Reboulet found very few at-bats last season and the minimal offense he once offered has faded almost completely away. Baltimore shouldn't need him in the majors, but they have a special fondness for veterans and he spent three seasons with them in the late 90's, so he'll likely make an appearance as roster filler at some point during the season.

Detroit drafted Brian Rios out of Oral Roberts University with their 18th round pick in the 1996 draft. He demonstrated strong plate discipline in short-season ball, but it dissipated as he rose through the system. Last season at AAA Toledo, he hit .263 with a .314 OBP and .366 SLG on 69 H, 12 2B, 3 3B, and 3 HR with an 18:45 BB:K and 0/2 SB%. I'd love to see how he'd respond to quality minor league instruction, but despite their recent overhaul I don't think the Orioles have earned that designation as of yet. The 28-year-old should putter around at AAA in 2003, as if Baltimore has an injury at third base, they'll likely fill the opening with a bench player.

Pedro Swann couldn't find playing time when the Blue Jays were desperate for outfielders last season, so I doubt that the 32-year-old will see many at-bats in the crowded Oriole outfield. He doesn't offer speed, but he has moderate power, and solid plate discipline, which should have earned him at least frequent cups-of-coffee. However, Swann has yet to stumble upon significant major league playing time. Baltimore should be happy to have the depth, as though I doubt they'll use him, he'd be a quality injury replacement.

John Valentin will compete for a bench job in Spring Training, and provided he's healthy, I expect him to break camp with the team. I think the Orioles have several other players who could have filled his position, but Valentin does have solid plate discipline and useful position flexibility.