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BALTIMORE (AP) — A year ago Dellin Betances Jersey , the Baltimore Orioles had Manny Machado and expectations of reaching the playoffs for the fourth time in seven seasons under manager Buck Showalter.Machado and Showalter are gone, as is all realistic hope of playing baseball this October.After staggering through their worst season since coming to Baltimore in 1954, the Orioles will launch a major rebuild in 2019 under rookie manager Brandon Hyde and first-year general manager Mike Elias.Machado was one of many Baltimore stars traded in the midst of a 47-115 disaster that cost Showalter and executive vice president Dan Duquette their jobs. Hyde, previously the bench coach of the Chicago Cubs, and Elias, the former assistant general manager of the Houston Astros, are overseeing an overhaul they hope will result in the same worst-to-first transformation they experienced with their last employers.“The fact that we share some career background in terms of player development, and going through a rebuilding process with the Cubs and the Astros, we’re really on the same page in a lot of ways,” Elias said of his relationship with Hyde. “He views the game the same way that I do.”At this point, the best the Orioles can expect is to be competitive and provide reason to believe that better days lie ahead.“If you like baseball Matt Holliday Jersey , this is an interesting process,” Elias said. “You get to see players grow and you get to follow them in the minor leagues all the way up in their careers. I can tell you from firsthand experience, it’s very rewarding, and it’s going to be very special.”Baltimore launches a new era March 28 in the season opener against the AL East-rival New York Yankees.Some things to know about the 2019 Orioles:START ME UPThe starting rotation features five right-handers and the same three pitchers at the top, all of whom must improve upon dismal performances a year ago.Alex Cobb, who will start on opening day at Yankee Stadium, went 5-15 with a 4.90 ERA in the first season of a four-year, $57 million contract. Andrew Cashner was 4-15 with a 5.29 ERA in his debut season in Baltimore, and right-hander Dylan Bundy, the Orioles’ first-round pick in 2011, finished 8-16 with a 5.45 ERA.Mike Wrigh s, who went 3-10 in his rookie season.HYDE’S WAYHyde made a positive impression on the players during a spring training in which he stressed fundamentals and teamwork.“It’s definitely a different atmosphere,” reliever Richard Bleier said. “Obviously, it’s a whole new staff and it’s a newer, younger team. It’s a good mix. I feel like we’re in this together, just trying to figure out how this process is going to work.”OLD GUYSNestled in the middle of a youthful lineup are 33-year-olds Mark Trumbo and Chris Davis. The Orioles would happily trade either of them, but haven’t had any takers.Coming off an injury-riddled season in which he played only 90 games, Trumbo won’t see much action in the field. Davis hit .168 in 2018, the third season of a seven-year, $161 million deal the Orioles wish they could take back.YOUNG GUYSMachado’s replacement at shortstop will likely be Richie Martin e 5 pick from Oakland who’s never played in a big league game.In addition, Rule 5 selection Drew Jackson is expected to make the team as a utility player.BULLPEN WOESWhen they were good, the Orioles could count on closer Zach Britton to seal a victory. Britton was traded to the Yankees last July, and team is still looking for an adequate replacement.Mychal Givens went 0-9 and blew nine of 13 save opportunities in 2018. Bleier was solid until back surgery ended his season in June, and it might take some time for him to regain his effectiveness.Miguel Castro showed his inconsistency while going 2-7, and Paul Fry converted only half his four save opportunities. Jeff Curry/Getty ImagesVeteran relief pitcherAdam Ottavino will be part of a loaded bullpen for the New York Yankees next season.Per The Athletic's Robert Murray and Ken Rosenthal, Ottavino and the Yankees are closing in on a three-year deal.ESPN's Jeff Passan reported the two sides agreed to terms. Fancred Sports' Jon Heymanadded Ottavino will receive $27 million over three years.Ottavino, 33, had his best season as an MLB player in 2018, finishing with a 6-4 record and six saves in 75 appearances for the Colorado Rockies. He posted a 2.43 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 112 strikeouts in 77.2 inning ping fuel Colorado's 91-win regular season.His strikeout total in the 2018 season set a Rockies record for a reliever, a mark he told The Athletic's Nick Groke he had in his crosshairs:"I always felt I was capable of doing it. There are elite guys who do that. And I felt like I had the ability to get strikeouts at that rate. I just had to get off to a good start with it. That way I could get the innings to do it."It's silly to set a results goal, but that one made the most sense for me because if I'm trying to strike guys out, it keeps me on the attack and makes me throw more strikes. And everything else falls into place when I'm aggressive like that."InOttavino, Wade Davis, Scott Oberg and Seungwhan Oh, the Rockies had a formidable late-game foursome in their bullpen.Now, however, New York will benefit from the addition ofOttavino, who may be one of the sneakier additions in free agency this winter and should improve the bullpen significantly.The Yankees lost some of their reliever depth earlier this offseason when David Robertson signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. Ottavino will slot into his role late in games for manager Aaron Boone as the team looks to overtake the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox in the American League East.