The Orioles have signed 29-year old righty reliever/starter Josh Banks to a minor league deal. Banks pitched in 22 games (15 starts) in AAA+Independent ball last year and he was 6-7 with a 6.73 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP. He last pitched in the majors back in 2010 with the Astros. He has pitched in 27 games (19 starts) in his major league career so far and he is 4-8 with a 5.66 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. Banks is going to be a big time longshot to make the Orioles’ pitching staff in 2012.

UPDATE: (4/1/2012) - The Orioles have released Josh Banks.

25-year old lefty swinging Chris Davis got a lot of P.T. at 3B for the Orioles in 2011, but he will be moving back to 1B for 2012. Davis played in 59 games for the Orioles & Rangers last year and he was 53 for 199 (.266 avg, .707 OPS) with 25 runs scored, 5 homers, 19 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He has now played in 297 games in his first four years in the majors and he is 253 for 1,005 (.252 avg, .749 OPS) with 131 runs scored, 44 homers, 137 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Davis has whiffed 341 times while only walking 70 times so far in his career, so he goes up to the plate hacking. It will be interesting to see how many homers Davis can hit with a full-time major league gig for the first time in his career. Davis didn’t make any errors in 31 games at 1B for the Orioles last year, but he has below average range. The Orioles will put up with Davis’ lack of range if he can whack 25-35 homers in 2012.

33-year old lefty swinging Nick Johnson will have a shot this spring to win a backup job for the Orioles. He played in 55 games in AA+AAA-ball last year for the Indians and he was 38 for 189 (.201 avg, .654 OPS) with 20 runs scored, 6 homers and 13 RBIs. Johnson last played in the majors back in 2010 with the Yankees. He has now played in 794 games in his first 9 years in the majors and he is 705 for 2,611 (.270 avg, .844 OPS) with 421 runs scored, 91 homers, 387 RBIs and 27 stolen bases. Johnson is an outstanding defensive 1B and that could help him make the O’s roster if he has a good spring.

Starting 3B Mark Reynolds can also play 1B if needed. He played in 44 games at 1B for the Orioles last year and he had 5 errors as he didn’t look too comfortable there.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 1B IN 2012: C+

25-year old switch-hitting Matt Wieters keeps getting better and that’s a good thing for the Orioles. He will be the starter once again with Taylor Teagarden and Ronny Paulino will duke it out this spring for the right to back up Wieters in 2012. Wieters played in 139 games for the Orioles last year and he was 131 of 500 (.262 avg, .778 OPS) with 72 runs scored, 22 homers, 68 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He has now played in 365 games in his first three years in the majors and he is 344 for 1,300 (.265 avg, .743 OPS) with 144 runs scored, 42 homers, 166 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He is a improving hitter. He has also turned himself into a really good defensive catcher. Wieters played in 132 games behind the plate last year and he had 5 errors and only 1 passed ball. He threw out 32 of 92 base stealers (34.8%) and Orioles’ pitchers had a 4.56 ERA with him behind the plate. Wieters is likely going to develop into a perennial All-Star if he keeps improving his game, both at the plate and behind it.

The Orioles dealt for 28-year old righty swinging Taylor Teagarden over the winter and they hope he wins the backup job. Teagarden played in 14 games for the Rangers last year and he was 8 for 34 (.235 avg, .572 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 0 homers and 2 RBIs. He has now played in 118 games in his first four years in the majors and he is 77 for 350 (.220 avg, .703 OPS) with 49 runs scored, 16 homers and 49 RBIs. Teagarden has whiffed 142 times in his major league career, so he doesn’t show much patience at the plate. He played in 14 games behind the plate for the Rangers last year and he didn’t have any errors but 1 passed ball. He threw out 5 of 13 (38.5%) base stealers and Rangers’ pitchers had a 3.16 ERA with him behind the plate.

30-year old Ronny Paulino is going to try to win the backup job to Matt Wieters this spring. Paulino played in 78 games for the Mets last year and he was 61 for 228 (.268 avg, .663 OPS) with 19 runs scored, 2 homers and 19 RBIs. He has now played in 553 games in his first 7 years and he is 492 for 1,804 (.273 avg, .705 OPS) with 176 runs scored, 33 homers, 211 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Paulino has hung around in the majors as long as he has because he has a decent bat for a catcher. He is not much of a defensive catcher. Paulino played in 68 games behind the plate for the Mets last year and he had 7 errors and 6 passed balls. He also threw out only 10 of 59 (16.9%) base stealers last year. Mets’ pitchers had a 4.47 ERA with Paulino behind the plate.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE CATCHERS IN 2012: B+

The Orioles have signed 29-year old righty reliever Greg Burke to a minor league deal. Burke pitched in 64 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball last year and he was 2-2 with 1 save, a 5.70 ERA and a 1.77 WHIP. His only major league experience came back in 2009 with the Padres. He pitched in 48 games (0 starts) for the Padres in 2009 and he was 3-3 with a 4.14 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. I see Burke starting the 2012 season in AAA-ball for the Orioles.

The Orioles have designated 26-year old lefty swinging outfielder Matt Angle for assignment. Angle played in 31 games for the Orioles last year in his first taste of the majors, and he was 14 for 79 (.177 avg, .559 OPS) with 12 runs scored, 1 homer, 7 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. He also played in 108 games in AAA-ball last year and he was 115 of 424 (.271 avg, .692 OPS) with 67 runs scored, 4 homers, 33 RBIs and 27 stolen bases. The Orioles needed Angle’s roster spot for newly signed reliever Luis Ayala.

UPDATE: (2/23/2012) - The Dodgers have claimed Matt Angle off waivers.

The Orioles have signed 34-year old righty reliever Luis Ayala to a 1-year deal. He pitched in 52 games (0 starts) for the Yankees last year and he was 2-2 with a 2.09 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. Ayala has now pitched in 429 games (0 starts) in his first 7 years in the majors and he is 31-41 with 18 saves, a 3.47 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. This was a good signing for the Orioles as Ayala was the best reliever left on the free agent market. Plus, he had a good year in 2011 against the loaded American League East, so the Orioles are hoping he can repeat it in 2012.

The Orioles have brought in a lot of new blood to compete for jobs in the bullpen this spring. Some of the losers in the competition could find their way to the Orioles’ bullpen in 2012 as well as a few newcomers. Here is a look at how the bullpen stands as of right now:

CLOSER: Jim Johnson: 28-year old righty Jim Johnson is going to get the shot to close for the Orioles this year. He pitched in 69 games (0 starts) for the Orioles last year and he was 6-5 with 9 saves, a 2.67 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. He has now pitched in 215 games (1 start) in his first six years in the majors and he is 13-17 with 21 saves, a 3.31 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. Johnson has been the Orioles’ best reliever for the last couple of years, so he has earned the opportunity that he’s going to get in 2012.

SET-UP MAN: Matt Lindstrom: 31-year old righty Matt Lindstrom was acquired recently from the Rockies in the Jeremy Guthrie deal. He is a flame thrower, and he will likely be the new set-up man for the Orioles in 2012. Lindstrom pitched in 63 games (0 starts) for the Rockies last year and he was 2-2 with 2 saves, a 3.00 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. He has now pitched in 312 games (0 starts) in his first five years in the majors and he is 12-15 with 45 saves, a 3.81 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP.

RIGHTIES: Kevin Gregg: 33-year old Kevin Gregg was the closer for most of last season for the Orioles, but he was rather ineffective. Gregg pitched in 63 games (0 starts) for the Orioles last year and he was 0-3 with 22 saves, a 4.37 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP. He has now pitched in 469 games (8 starts) in his first 9 years in the majors and he is 25-36 with 144 saves, a 4.07 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Gregg will have to work his way back into the good graces of the front office of the Orioles.

Pedro Strop: 26-year old Pedro Strop has a nice upside. He pitched in 12 games (0 starts) for the Orioles last year after coming over in a deal with the Rangers and he was 2-0 with a 0.73 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP. Strop pitched in 23 games (0 starts) overall for the Orioles & Rangers last year and he was 2-1 with a 2.05 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. He has now pitched in 45 games (0 starts) in his first three years in the majors and he is 2-1 with a 5.22 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP. Strop has the potential for a breakout year for the Orioles in 2012.

Darren O’Day: 29-year old Darren O’Day had a rough year in 2011 due to injuries. He pitched in only 16 games (0 starts) for the Rangers last year and he was 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. O’Day has now pitched in 186 games (0 starts) in his first four years in the majors and he is 8-5 with 2 saves, a 2.89 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. He is a sidearmer, giving the Orioles a new and different look in the bullpen. I think he will have a rebound year in 2012 if he can stay healthy.

Pat Neshek: 31-year old Pat Neshek throws from the same angle as O’Day does, only with a little more heat on it. Neshek pitched in 25 games (0 starts) for the Padres last year and he was 1-1 with a 4.01 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP. He has now pitched in 157 games (0 starts) in his first five years in the majors and he is 12-7 with a 3.21 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. If healthy, Neshek will have a good chance of winning a spot in the Orioles’ bullpen this spring.

Willie Eyre: 33-year old Willie Eyre pitched pretty well for the Orioles last year. He pitched in 19 games (0 starts) for the Orioles last year and he was 2-2 with a 3.44 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP. Eyre has now pitched in 111 games (2 starts) in his first four years in the majors and he is 7-8 with 1 save, a 4.95 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. If Eyre has a good spring, he might just win a job in the pen.

Jason Berken: 28-year old Jason Berken had a rough time in 2011 after a somewhat breakout year in 2010. Berken pitched in 40 games (0 starts) for the Orioles last year and he was 1-2 with a 5.36 ERA and a 1.79 WHIP. He has now pitched in 105 games (24 starts) in his first three years in the majors and he is 10-17 with a 5.34 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP. Berken will have an uphill battle trying to win a bullpen spot this spring.

Oscar Villarreal: 30-year old Oscar Villarreal will be a big time longshot to win a job in the Orioles’ bullpen this spring. Villarreal pitched in 45 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball and in Mexico last year and he was 0-4 with 18 saves, a 3.02 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP. He last pitched in the majors back in 2010 with the Astros. Villarreal has pitched in 258 games (5 starts) in his first six years in the majors and he is 24-15 with 1 save, a 3.86 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP.

LEFTIES: Troy Patton: 26-year old Troy Patton will head into spring training as the Orioles’ top lefty reliever. Patton pitched in 20 games (0 starts) for the Orioles last year and he was 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. He has now pitched in 24 games (2 starts) in his first three years in the majors and he is 2-3 with a 3.12 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. I think he is going to have a really nice year for the O’s as long as he can stay healthy.

Zach Phillips: 25-year old Zach Phillips got his first taste of the majors last year with the Orioles after coming to them in a deal with the Rangers. Phillips pitched in 10 games (0 starts) for the Orioles last year and he was 0-0 with a 1.13 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. He also pitched in 47 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball for the Rangers last year and he was 2-4 with 4 saves, a 4.01 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP.

Dennys Reyes: 34-year old Dennys Reyes hit rock bottom last year. He pitched in 4 games (0 starts) for the Red Sox last year and he was 0-0 with a 16.20 ERA and a 2.40 WHIP. Reyes has now pitched in 674 games (40 starts) in his first 15 years in the majors and he is 35-35 with 4 saves, a 4.01 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP.

Yoshihiro Doi: 35-year old Yoshihiro Doi is a big time longshot to win a job in the O’s pen this spring. He didn’t pitch at all last year. In his four years in Japan, Doi has pitched in 63 games (22 starts) in his first four years in the minors and he is 7-13 with a 5.32 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE BULLPEN IN 2012: C

The Orioles have signed 33-year old lefty swinging 1B Nick Johnson to a minor league deal. Johnson played in 55 games in AA+AAA-ball for the Indians last year and he was 38 of 189 (.201 avg, .654 OPS) with 20 runs scored, 6 homers and 13 RBIs. He last played in the majors back in 2010 with the Yankees. He has now played in 794 games in his first 9 years in the majors and he is 705 of 2,611 (.270 avg, .844 OPS) with 421 runs scored, 91 homers, 387 RBIs and 27 stolen bases. Johnson will get a shot this spring to make the Orioles’ opening day roster, but he’s likely going to be a longshot.

The Orioles have signed 32-year old righty swinging catcher Dane Sardinha to a minor league deal. Sardinha played in 15 games for the Phillies last year and he was 7 for 32 (.219 avg, .669 OPS) with 8 runs scored and 1 RBI. He has now played in 59 games in his first six years in the majors and he is 25 for 151 (.166 avg, .508 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 3 homers and 15 RBIs. Sardinha will likely start the 2012 season in AAA-ball and get a call to Baltimore if the need arises.

UPDATE: (2/21/2012) - Dane Sardinha has failed his physical which will lead to his contract being voided. This isn’t much of a loss to the Orioles.

The Orioles have designated 30-year old lefty reliever Clay Rapada for assignment. Rapada pitched in 32 games (0 starts) for the Orioles last year and he was 2-0 with a 6.06 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. He has now pitched in 78 games (0 starts) in his first five years in the majors and he is 5-0 with a 5.13 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. This is not much of a loss for the Orioles as they need his roster spot due to the Jeremy Guthrie deal.

UPDATE: (2/16/2012) - The Orioles have release Clay Rapada.