While blogs and writing all over the internet allow basically an unlimited word count, Twitter limits people to 140 characters or less in every single message that they send out.

So…after asking many people across the Twitterverse to give me their outlook on the Orioles 2012 season in 140 characters or less, I got some interesting responses:

Orioles Fans:

@beatlefnatic: I’d love to see a .500 season, but my concern is to see the pitching shored up. I’m finding myself becoming more cynical this year.

@MagicOn33rd: Hate to say it, but cellar dwellers again. the Cartoon bird is here and Orioles magic is coming, but not this year. we need pitching.

@B_MoreFanatic: I’m not expecting greatness from the Orioles in 2012. Only for our young players to take that next step and then another. No regressions.

@onshortrest: Orioles 2012 Outlook: Last place in AL East; close to 100 losses; brisk sales of Brown Paper Bag caps. #OriolesTragic

@ProtectThisYard: Hope. Every year. I’m a glass-half full guy. 1st place? No. But I’m hopeful that we’re competitive. Win or Lose, Rain or shine. I’ll support

@MattCLund: The key for the Orioles this season is if the young pitchers can improve and make the progress needed to compete in the AL East.

@JoePappa: The O’s are like golf. You’re not fantastic but you’ll have that 1 round that will surprise you. 2012 is that round for the O’s.

@JoePappa (again…13 hours later): (Another thought…) We’ve got superstars that haven’t shown their full potential. It’s only a matter of time before the show begins.

@marylandgirlie:  Will be interesting with all the international signings. I have a feeling that the wins will be up. I am still worried about pitching though

@SportsNickelTim:  Everything has gotten worse. A lot of player must prove themselves. Hardly 60 W’s.

@margeemateo:  M positive when it comes 2 my team. Although we kindda don’t have d depth, i am hopeful we’d be going 2 July & Sept in decent standings. =)

@mattmgardner:  This will be a losing season. But Duquette seems to be less clueless than MacPhail, so maybe there is hope for the Orioles in this century.

@MasonFanatic:  O’s can finish .500 if a) 2 pitchers not named Guthrie throw 190+ IP b) 2B not a platoon c) Reimold & Davis (or other CI) have breakout year

@MasonFanatic (side note): [I don’t expect more than 1 of those 3 to happen, so 93 losses here we come]

@ESHJjaksClayton:  A lot like the movie Major League but without all the winning. Matusz will improve. 5th in the AL East, trade deadline could be fun.

@kt1000:  Orioles 2012: Wake me when it’s over.

@connorguercio:  No playoffs, but 3rd/4th place is possible. Hardy/Markakis/Wieters/Jones Allstars, B-Rob all year, Wada/Chen standout, Reynolds mosts HRs

Orioles fans that failed to follow the whole “140 characters or less” guideline:

@d_flo3r: If our pitching staff and hitting with risp improves then the O’s with probably win 10-15 more games this year, otherwise I think everything will pretty much stay the same wins/stats wise.

@simplyaustin31: The Os ended 2011 on a high note by taking out the pink hat nation, I feel like the Orioles added a lot of international depth that could surprise a lot of people with Chen, Wada… Orioles signed many of veteran players that could bounce back with Ronny Paulino, Pat Neshek, Matt Antonelli, Wilson Betemit. Orioles rotation and bullpen will be the question entering the 2012 season.. Will the young pitching staff step up and startp pitching to their calibar

Orioles fans that lived in the MLB Fan Cave last year:

@rwags614: It will be another rough year wins wise, but O’s fans can look forward to watching the young pitching continue to develop.

Non-Orioles fans:

@Dave_Gershman: Unless things somehow go in the O’s favor they have a chance to trade for some talent in July. The farm also needs to progress like lastyear

@ZK065:  They’ll go as far as their SP will. Offense looks good, wouldn’t be surprised to see them add a DH bat. 75-78 wins is optimistic but doable.

@observebaseball:  Slightly pessimistic. Everyone, whether it be consciously or unconsciously, realizes that last offseason was far better as far as additions

@MadSports8: They’ll be better than the A’s. Brooks Robinson for president.

As we can tell by all of these responses, nobody really expects the Orioles to be too good in 2012.  Though there is some optimism in terms of growing toward the future, 2012 looks to be another building year if these baseball fans are right.

But hey…I can still love me some Orioles baseball.

And by the way, I recommend following all of the tweeps quoted above.  All good people.  Well, maybe not @MadSports8, but we can still show the west coast some respect anyways.