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10-14-2003, 12:07 PM
Hmmmm....... interesting.
10/13/2003 3:32 PM ET
Who's on first for O's in 2004?
By Gary Washburn / MLB.com
BALTIMORE -- When the Orioles traded Jeff Conine to the Marlins in August, it left a large void at first base. Conine is playing left field for the Marlins but was the Orioles' best defensive first baseman.
The most natural move was to shift right fielder Jay Gibbons to first base, a position he played for three years in the minor leagues. But it is no guarantee that Gibbons will begin the season as the Orioles' starting first baseman.
Because of an injury to Melvin Mora, Gibbons played just 13 games at first base and has never played there on a full-time basis in the Major Leagues. So the organization isn't sure it's comfortable with Gibbons as an everyday first baseman.
The club has been spoiled the past few years by the consistency of Conine mixed with the splendid skills of David Segui, when he has been healthy. In the final year of a four-year, $28 million deal, Segui is coming off wrist surgery and is unlikely to play defense.
At the end of last season, players such as Carlos Mendez were making appearances at first, something that does not figure to happen in 2004.
Gibbons is the early favorite to start at first because the Orioles are expected to go after a bona fide right fielder such as Montreal's Vladimir Guerrero. The club wants to add a legitimate power hitter, and Gibbons is not a natural right fielder, although team officials think he has improved at that position.
"I am not crazy about moving to first base," Gibbons said last month. "But I understand it was for the good of the team. I was actually getting comfortable in right field, and I am the type of guy who wants to see something through when I start it."
Gibbons played first base for a month in 2002 when Conine missed six weeks with a hamstring injury. And after a few weeks at the position, he began to look comfortable and fluid.
Segui is perhaps one of the league's top defensive first basemen when healthy. But he has had many problems with his hands -- including two wrist surgeries and a fractured thumb -- and the Orioles need his bat for at least one full productive season. Segui had surgery last month and is expected to be fully healthy by Spring Training.
It is highly likely the Orioles will sign a first baseman who could perhaps back up Gibbons, such as B.J. Surhoff, who is a free agent. Surhoff played a solid first base and was also a dependable pitch-hitter. But he missed nearly 60 games because of injuries and turned 39 this season.
The club has made no indication whether it intends to re-sign Surhoff, who played 22 games at first.
The team might also have plans for backup infielder Jose Leon, who can play first base and third base but was hit in the eye by a thrown ball in the last month of the season at Triple-A Ottawa. Leon is a solid defensive player and most certainly would have spelled Tony Batista at third if he had been healthy.
Leon appears ready to make more of a contribution on a Major League level and should make the team out of Spring Training. So he could be a viable backup. The management duo of Jim Beattie and Mike Flanagan most certainly will sign a free agent or make a trade to change the complexion of the position. But they will probably seek a right fielder first.
So for now, Gibbons appears to be the man.
Gary Washburn is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
10/13/2003 3:32 PM ET
Who's on first for O's in 2004?
By Gary Washburn / MLB.com
BALTIMORE -- When the Orioles traded Jeff Conine to the Marlins in August, it left a large void at first base. Conine is playing left field for the Marlins but was the Orioles' best defensive first baseman.
The most natural move was to shift right fielder Jay Gibbons to first base, a position he played for three years in the minor leagues. But it is no guarantee that Gibbons will begin the season as the Orioles' starting first baseman.
Because of an injury to Melvin Mora, Gibbons played just 13 games at first base and has never played there on a full-time basis in the Major Leagues. So the organization isn't sure it's comfortable with Gibbons as an everyday first baseman.
The club has been spoiled the past few years by the consistency of Conine mixed with the splendid skills of David Segui, when he has been healthy. In the final year of a four-year, $28 million deal, Segui is coming off wrist surgery and is unlikely to play defense.
At the end of last season, players such as Carlos Mendez were making appearances at first, something that does not figure to happen in 2004.
Gibbons is the early favorite to start at first because the Orioles are expected to go after a bona fide right fielder such as Montreal's Vladimir Guerrero. The club wants to add a legitimate power hitter, and Gibbons is not a natural right fielder, although team officials think he has improved at that position.
"I am not crazy about moving to first base," Gibbons said last month. "But I understand it was for the good of the team. I was actually getting comfortable in right field, and I am the type of guy who wants to see something through when I start it."
Gibbons played first base for a month in 2002 when Conine missed six weeks with a hamstring injury. And after a few weeks at the position, he began to look comfortable and fluid.
Segui is perhaps one of the league's top defensive first basemen when healthy. But he has had many problems with his hands -- including two wrist surgeries and a fractured thumb -- and the Orioles need his bat for at least one full productive season. Segui had surgery last month and is expected to be fully healthy by Spring Training.
It is highly likely the Orioles will sign a first baseman who could perhaps back up Gibbons, such as B.J. Surhoff, who is a free agent. Surhoff played a solid first base and was also a dependable pitch-hitter. But he missed nearly 60 games because of injuries and turned 39 this season.
The club has made no indication whether it intends to re-sign Surhoff, who played 22 games at first.
The team might also have plans for backup infielder Jose Leon, who can play first base and third base but was hit in the eye by a thrown ball in the last month of the season at Triple-A Ottawa. Leon is a solid defensive player and most certainly would have spelled Tony Batista at third if he had been healthy.
Leon appears ready to make more of a contribution on a Major League level and should make the team out of Spring Training. So he could be a viable backup. The management duo of Jim Beattie and Mike Flanagan most certainly will sign a free agent or make a trade to change the complexion of the position. But they will probably seek a right fielder first.
So for now, Gibbons appears to be the man.
Gary Washburn is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.