masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgMore snow is on the way tomorrow, so make sure you have plenty of milk, bread and toilet paper. Those are the staples.

Well, you don’t want staples in your toilet paper, but you should stock up anyway.

I’m continuing to make my spring training arrangements, which includes booking a flight to Sarasota and returning home from Tampa after the opening three-game series against the Rays at Tropicana Field.

Seems like only a year ago that I did the exact same thing.

It would be a lot easier…More snow is on the way tomorrow, so make sure you have plenty of milk, bread and toilet paper. Those are the staples.

Well, you don’t want staples in your toilet paper, but you should stock up anyway.

I’m continuing to make my spring training arrangements, which includes booking a flight to Sarasota and returning home from Tampa after the opening three-game series against the Rays at Tropicana Field.

Seems like only a year ago that I did the exact same thing.

Felix-Pie_Batting-White-Tall.gif

It would be a lot easier if Southwest flew into Sarasota. They conveniently leave out that little nugget in their commercials.

Your bags fly free – just not everywhere.

We won’t be monitoring many position battles in Orioles camp. Manager Buck Showalter must settle on a fourth bench player – and without any other changes made to the roster, the competition could come down to Brendan Harris, Robert Andino and Jake Fox. Right now, Fox and Craig Tatum are vying for backup catcher. A final spot must be claimed in the rotation and bullpen – and all the candidates aren’t in place.

Again, without any other changes, Felix Pie and Nolan Reimold should make the 25-man roster. Pie is out of minor league options, so he’s on more solid footing, but neither player is being handed a full-time job in left field. Their competition will be one of the more interesting facets of camp.

I’ve been asked about a few Showalter comments this winter that seem to indicate that he’s already penciled Pie into the lineup. Don’t read too much into it. He’s more familiar with Pie. He hasn’t seen the real Reimold, as he noted late last season, and expects a different player to show up in Sarasota.

Naturally, he’s more comfortable projecting Pie into various scenarios, but his mind isn’t closed. Reimold will be given every opportunity to beat out Pie. Or they’ll platoon.

When the subject is alternate leadoff hitter, Pie’s name will come up because of his speed and the fact that the Orioles don’t have many options. But Showalter’s merely stating that Pie is a possibility when he’s in the lineup. Showalter never proclaimed that Pie is the everyday left fielder.

At least not yet.

The 13 position players should include the following:

Brian Roberts
J.J. Hardy
Mark Reynolds
Derrek Lee
Matt Wieters
Luke Scott
Nick Markakis
Adam Jones
Felix Pie
Nolan Reimold
Cesar Izturis
Craig Tatum
Brendan Harris/Robert Andino/Jake Fox

The 12 pitchers should include:

Jeremy Guthrie
Brian Matusz
Brad Bergesen
Jake Arrieta
Kevin Gregg
Koji Uehara
Michael Gonzalez
Jim Johnson
Jeremy Accardo
Jason Berken

That leaves room for another starter and another reliever. Again, they might not be in the organization at this time. The Orioles will try to sign another veteran for the rotation and left-hander for the bullpen. We also have Chris Tillman, Zach Britton, Rick VandenHurk, Pedro Viola, Troy Patton and Rule 5 pick Adrian Rosario in the mix.

I fully expect Britton to start the year at Triple-A Norfolk. Viola and Patton should join him. Rosario could wind up back with the Brewers unless the Orioles attempt to stash a 21-year-old kid who hasn’t pitched above low Single-A. VandenHurk is out of options, so he’ll get a long look.