Around The AL East: Orioles

The recent dearth of activity in the front office of the Orioles might create the appearance that the team is treading water while waiting to make personnel moves believed to be necessary.

But that isn't true. The club has been going about its business of filling holes with possible backups at a couple of positions. While there is little glitz in bringing in reserves, it's a necessity that shows up during the season.

Probably for good reason, nobody took notice when the Orioles signed career minor leaguer Guillermo Quiroz to back up veteran Ramon Hernandez. After all, the 26-year-old has a career .220 average in 39 major league games over four seasons.

Quiroz will get his opportunity to make a major league roster because Paul Bako, who hit just .205 in 2007, opted for free agency when the Orioles had no interest in his services in the future.

The Orioles also brought in 28-year-old outfielder Chris Roberson, who was acquired from the Phillies organization. Although he's said to be a possible candidate for the center field job, he has a .232 major league average while playing in 85 games over two seasons in Philadelphia.

Neither of those backups has a lick of power, which is supposedly what the Orioles need the most to fortify their lineup. Neither has a major league home run, although Roberson supposedly makes up for his lack of power with blazing speed.

The Orioles made room on the 40-man roster for Roberson by designating promising outfielder Jeff Fiorentino for assignment. Fiorentino, who had two brief tests with the Orioles but has fared well at Class AA Bowie, was claimed off waivers by Cincinnati.

The minor moves may be necessary, but Orioles fans are becoming concerned about the lack of much needed moves by personnel boss Andy MacPhail to solidify the lineup. Be insists he will make several more meaningful deals for better known players before the opening of spring training.


NOTES, QUOTES
—OF Luis Terrero, who played 27 games for the Orioles in 2006, received a non-roster invitation to Baltimore's spring training camp. RHP Ryan Bukvich, who has pitched for the Royals, Rangers and White Sox, also was invited to the Orioles' camp, as was C Ben Davis, who hasn't played in the majors since 2004.

—OF Chris Roberson, 28, was acquired from the Phillies for cash considerations and could be a candidate to be the starting center fielder. He has a .232 average with no HRs and 2 RBIs in 85 major league games during the past two seasons.

—OF Tike Redman, who started 2007 playing independent league ball, will get a shot at the center field job in 2008 after hitting .318 in 40 late season games with the Orioles.

—OF Jay Payton could be the odd man out after the Orioles acquired a probable everyday left fielder in Luke Scott and signed a potential center fielder in Chris Roberson to go with Tike Redman. Reports have had Payton on the trading block.

—RHP Greg Aquino, picked up off waivers from the Brewers in December, is expected to compete for a middle relief slot in the bullpen, which is being rebuilt for 2008. He is 2-4 with a 4.88 ERA in four major league seasons.

—RHP Daniel Cabrera was offered arbitration by the Orioles even though the club confessed that was a difficult decision on their part after he led the AL in losses and walks in 2007. LHP Erik Bedard is also scheduled for an arbitration hearing.

—OF Jeff Fiorentino was claimed off waivers by the Reds after the Orioles designated him for assignment.


BY THE NUMBERS: 5—The number of Orioles from the 2007 team who have been removed from the roster since season's end. They are: Miguel Tejada, Corey Patterson, Kris Benson, Paul Bako and Jaret Wright.


QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'm not talking about 2007 anymore. I'm not going throw anything in anybody's face and try to rub salt in anybody's wounds. Everybody knows what's happened here, but it's going to be gone." —Manager Dave Trembley, who is focusing on the Orioles' future rather than the past.