Nanner
12-07-2003, 04:14 PM
I like the idea. It looks like they're leaning that way. Looks like Matsui will probably be going to the Mets..... (although I'm waiting for an official announcement on that)..... so Sparky at short seems logical.
12/05/2003 3:30 PM ET
Roberts may be Birds' short answer
By Gary Washburn / MLB.com
http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/images/2003/05/28/lCBKJO2G.jpg
Brian Roberts rounds the bases after his grand slam in his second game of the season. (Roberto Borea/AP)
BALTIMORE -- The first inning of the Orioles' May 20 game with Anaheim changed the complexion of the team's future at second base.
Jerry Hairston was batting in the first inning against Kevin Appier and swung so hard at a slider that he stumbled in the batter's box and broke his right foot.
The injury was disappointing for the Orioles because Hairston had finally grown into the leadoff role and matched his splendid defensive prowess with productive hitting. Hairston was a sparkplug of the offense, hitting .287 with nearly a .400 on-base percentage.
But Hairston was gone and the Orioles looked to former starter Brian Roberts for relief. Roberts was a one-time prospect who was supposed to challenge Hairston for the job. The 1999 sandwich pick, he actually took the job from Hairston in 2002 but faltered in a 37-game stint and was sent back to Triple-A Rochester.
The organization sent Roberts a message by not including him in the September callups that season.
When Hairston was injured, Roberts was recalled the next day. In his second game of the season, he hit a winning grand slam off Anaheim closer Troy Percival, a prelude to his successful run.
Roberts finished the 2003 season with a .270 average with five homers and 41 RBIs, and seven errors in 107 games. His performance created another controversy when Hairston returned from injury in September.
Roberts got most of the starts at second in the final month, while Hairston got back into playing shape at designated hitter. He also made occasional starts at second but was felled by a bone bruise in the final two weeks.
Hairston is now healthy and Roberts' production has encouraged the organization to consider moving him to shortstop.
"I am getting healthy," said Hairston, who rehabilitated in Tempe, Ariz. "But Brian did a great job. It's a good feeling when you get hurt and know a guy can come in and do the job like he did."
Club officials want to give Hairston a full opportunity at second base next season, perhaps because he has more upside than Roberts. He had 14 steals in 58 games and gives the Orioles their most legitimate base-stealing threat.
Roberts, meanwhile, has the skills to play shortstop. He played short in the minor leagues before an elbow problem that led to surgery sent him to second base. The Orioles tried Roberts at short in 2001 but he committed 14 errors in 47 games and team officials questioned his arm strength.
Those concerns have dissipated.
"Brian could very well end up being our shortstop," executive vice president Jim Beattie said. "We'll give him some advance work before Spring Training. We're confident we can do the job."
Hairston will be the starter at second base and the club will seek a dependable backup infielder through free agency. Jose Morban, the Rule 5 draft pick last season, is likely headed for Double-A Bowie.
After losing a promising season to injury, Hairston is anxious to return.
"As soon as I got back out on that field, I couldn't wait to be 100 percent and back to myself," he said. "It made me to want to work harder in the offseason."
Gary Washburn is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
12/05/2003 3:30 PM ET
Roberts may be Birds' short answer
By Gary Washburn / MLB.com
http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/images/2003/05/28/lCBKJO2G.jpg
Brian Roberts rounds the bases after his grand slam in his second game of the season. (Roberto Borea/AP)
BALTIMORE -- The first inning of the Orioles' May 20 game with Anaheim changed the complexion of the team's future at second base.
Jerry Hairston was batting in the first inning against Kevin Appier and swung so hard at a slider that he stumbled in the batter's box and broke his right foot.
The injury was disappointing for the Orioles because Hairston had finally grown into the leadoff role and matched his splendid defensive prowess with productive hitting. Hairston was a sparkplug of the offense, hitting .287 with nearly a .400 on-base percentage.
But Hairston was gone and the Orioles looked to former starter Brian Roberts for relief. Roberts was a one-time prospect who was supposed to challenge Hairston for the job. The 1999 sandwich pick, he actually took the job from Hairston in 2002 but faltered in a 37-game stint and was sent back to Triple-A Rochester.
The organization sent Roberts a message by not including him in the September callups that season.
When Hairston was injured, Roberts was recalled the next day. In his second game of the season, he hit a winning grand slam off Anaheim closer Troy Percival, a prelude to his successful run.
Roberts finished the 2003 season with a .270 average with five homers and 41 RBIs, and seven errors in 107 games. His performance created another controversy when Hairston returned from injury in September.
Roberts got most of the starts at second in the final month, while Hairston got back into playing shape at designated hitter. He also made occasional starts at second but was felled by a bone bruise in the final two weeks.
Hairston is now healthy and Roberts' production has encouraged the organization to consider moving him to shortstop.
"I am getting healthy," said Hairston, who rehabilitated in Tempe, Ariz. "But Brian did a great job. It's a good feeling when you get hurt and know a guy can come in and do the job like he did."
Club officials want to give Hairston a full opportunity at second base next season, perhaps because he has more upside than Roberts. He had 14 steals in 58 games and gives the Orioles their most legitimate base-stealing threat.
Roberts, meanwhile, has the skills to play shortstop. He played short in the minor leagues before an elbow problem that led to surgery sent him to second base. The Orioles tried Roberts at short in 2001 but he committed 14 errors in 47 games and team officials questioned his arm strength.
Those concerns have dissipated.
"Brian could very well end up being our shortstop," executive vice president Jim Beattie said. "We'll give him some advance work before Spring Training. We're confident we can do the job."
Hairston will be the starter at second base and the club will seek a dependable backup infielder through free agency. Jose Morban, the Rule 5 draft pick last season, is likely headed for Double-A Bowie.
After losing a promising season to injury, Hairston is anxious to return.
"As soon as I got back out on that field, I couldn't wait to be 100 percent and back to myself," he said. "It made me to want to work harder in the offseason."
Gary Washburn is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.