Orioles Q&A with Jeff Zrebiec

David, Roanoke, Va.: Who are the Orioles' options to play second base if Brian Roberts is traded?

Jeff Zrebiec: If you are talking about internal everyday options, the Orioles really don't have any. Infield depth throughout the whole organization remains nonexistent. If Roberts goes -- and I fully expect him to -- Brandon Fahey and Freddie Bynum would be the two top internal candidates to replace him and neither should be a starting everyday second baseman at this point in their careers. That's why I fully expect middle infielder Ronny Cedeno and/or second baseman Eric Patterson (the younger brother of Corey) to be included in the Chicago Cubs' return for Roberts. I know the Orioles view Cedeno more as a shortstop than a second baseman so if they get Cedeno in the deal and not Patterson, I could see them making a minor trade before Opening Day for a veteran second baseman.

Brian, Baltimore: What can you tell us about Guillermo Quiroz? Is he going to be the backup catcher?

Jeff Zrebiec: Quiroz is a 26-year-old former bonus baby who was once considered a hot prospect. He was promising enough to convince the Toronto Blue Jays to sign him to a $1.5 million deal as a non-drafted free agent out of Venezuela. However, injuries, more than anything, have relegated him to journeyman status and he's played in only 39 big league games. His defensive skills and game-calling are his strengths. He's an offensive upgrade from last year's backup catcher, Paul Bako, but he still is only a .241 hitter over parts of nine minor league seasons. The Orioles' decision to give Quiroz a major league deal raised some eyebrows in the industry. However, they really like him and think he'll be a plus as long as he stays healthy. I think Quiroz would have to falter badly not to earn the backup catcher job. There's just not a lot of competition in camp for that position.

Kevin, Baltimore: What kind of numbers do you expect Luke Scott to put up if he stays healthy all season?

Jeff Zrebiec: That's tough to say because it's hard to gauge how many at-bats Scott will get. Orioles manager Dave Trembley has pretty much said that Scott will be in the lineup regularly, whether it's in left field or as the designated hitter. However, that could change if Scott isn't hitting lefties. If the left-handed hitting Scott struggles against southpaws in the early going, I'm guessing he'll find himself in a platoon situation with either Jay Payton or somebody else the Orioles acquire for their lefty-heavy outfield. That could severely affect his numbers. However, if he holds his own against lefties and stays healthy, I could see Scott hitting about .265 with 20 home runs and 70 RBIs. Perhaps I'm being conservative. He won't put up eye-popping numbers, but he'll certainly increase the production that the Orioles have been getting out of their left field spot in recent years.

Dean, Reading, Pa.: The 2007 Orioles bullpen was simply horrible -- especially in long relief. Do Matt Albers and Brian Burres have the inside track for this role in 2008?

Jeff Zrebiec: I think that's a pretty good call, Dean. And the other two names that I'd include in that discussion would be Lance Cormier and Jon Leicester. A lot depends on who wins that fifth starter spot because that may shrink the pool of long relief candidates by one. I think the candidates for that fifth starter spot are Albers, Burres, Leicester, Garrett Olson and Hayden Penn. Olson and Penn would join Radhames Liz in Triple-A Norfolk's rotation if they don't get the No. 5 spot. But the other three could be used as swing men in the bullpen. Nobody seems to talk about Leicester but I know Orioles officials really like him, so I wouldn't count him out. I also think there is a good chance that the Orioles could keep two long men-types in their Opening Day bullpen, just because of early uncertainty on how many innings the rotation will provide.

Boomer, Virginia Beach, Va.: What's the latest on the expansion of Fort Lauderdale Stadium? Or are the Orioles planning to move to Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Fla.?

Jeff Zrebiec: Another story that will never die. Unfortunately, I really don't have anything new to add. At this point, the Orioles and the city of Fort Lauderdale are still seeking permission from the Federal Aviation Administration to continue with the plan to renovate the stadium and replace Lockhart Stadium next door with practice fields that would eventually house the organization's minor league facility. The FAA's permission is needed because the stadium is adjacent to Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. The two sides expected to hear from the FAA months ago, but for some reason, they haven't. The Orioles, though they won't publicly admit it, have signed an option agreement to move to Vero Beach and Dodgertown. But an option agreement doesn't bind them to anything, so their options are still largely open.

What remains to be seen is if and when FAA grants the approval, will the Orioles wait out the time it takes to complete the whole Fort Lauderdale renovation project, or will they bolt to Vero Beach, where the only thing they'll have to do is paint over Dodger blue with Oriole orange and black. I do know patience is wearing thin from some because the situation has taken so long to get resolved.

Related topic galleries: Eric Patterson, Jay Payton, Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays, Beach Vacations, Brian Roberts, Paul Bako

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