Thursday, January 17, 2013
O's backup plan at second base
By Jason A. Churchill
The Baltimore Orioles, no doubt, would love to start the 2013 season with a healthy Brian Roberts manning second base. Roberts, however, has experienced some setbacks this offseason, reports Britt Ghiroli of MLB.com, suggesting the club's contingency plans are vital.
Those plans go at least two players deep with Ryan Flaherty and Alexi Casilla, with Yamaico Navarro and Wilson Betemit available in a pinch. Prospect Jonathan Schoop could also be a factor at some point during the season.
Flaherty nor Casilla offer much offense, though Flaherty does have some pop, so without a healthy Roberts the Orioles are likely to play match-up at second base, and could keep their eye out for an everyday answer. Kelly Johnson, Freddy Sanchez and Ryan Theriot remain on the free agent market.
Roberts, now 35, has been fighting through numerous healthy issues the past few years, most recently a hip injury that ultimately required surgery. The O's will take anything they can get from the veteran in 2013, but it doesn't appear they can afford to count on him.
