Around The AL East: Orioles

Andy MacPhail, the Orioles' president for baseball operations, said he doesn't have a deadline if he is to trade left-hander Erik Bedard and/or second baseman Brian Roberts, but he admitted to one reporter that he hoped to have something done soon.

"There is a strong likelihood that both would be on the Opening Day roster," MacPhail told the Baltimore Sun. So it is that while talks continue with several teams, he will only give up the Orioles' two best players and fan favorites for a return that completely satisfied the Orioles.

In the interim, the Orioles have signed a handful of fringe players who have a chance to make the 25-man roster.

One of those is right-hander Lance Cormier, who was given a minor league contract and an invitation to spring training. Cormier has most recently been a reliever for the Braves but came to the majors as a starter and could help the Orioles in either role.

The Orioles' major need continues to be restructuring a lineup that has only one hitter (Nick Markakis) who had as many as 20 home runs last year. There are few proven free agents on the market, so it will take a lot more talking to consummate a trade or two.


NOTES, QUOTES
—LHP Erik Bedard was rumored to be headed to Seattle in a deal that would bring back OF Adam Jones, but Orioles president for baseball operations Andy MacPhail said Jan. 28 that he hadn't reached any agreements involving a trade of the ace lefty.

—RHP Lance Cormier, a free agent from the Braves, signed a minor league contract and was invited to spring training. He will be given the opportunity to help the club either as a starter or in the bullpen.

—LF Luke Scott, who came to the Orioles in the trade that sent Miguel Tejada to the Astros, reportedly has talked with manager Dave Trembley and been told he will get an opportunity to win the everyday job in left field.

—DH Jay Gibbons, who has already been suspended for the first 15 games of the 2008 season, hit just .230 with 6 HRs and is coming off shoulder surgery that limited him to only 84 games in 2007. He is likely to be the odd man out for the DH job once he is eligible to play.

—3B Melvin Mora wants to end a four-year slide during which his numbers have declined each year. His average has gone from .340 to .274, his HR total from 27 to 14, his RBI total from 104 to 58 and his on-base percentage from .419 to .341.

—RF Nick Markakis has already been penciled into the No. 3 spot in the order. In 2007, his second year in the majors, he hit .300 with 191 hits, of which 69 were for extra bases. He had 23 HRs and 112 RBI and walked 61 times.


BY THE NUMBERS: 1—The number of Orioles with as many as 20 HRs in 2007. Nick Markakis hit 23.


QUOTE TO NOTE: "I still think there's the likelihood that between now and the next time I talk to you, there could be changes, additions and deletions." —Manager Dave Trembley, talking about the makeup of his pitching staff.