masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgMiguel Tejada says he has no preference where he hits, so I guess he won’t be submitting his own lineup ideas to this blog.

“Last year, I went from second to sixth,” he said. “Every day I was in the lineup, I was totally happy.”

According to president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, Tejada told him, “Just put me in the lineup. Wherever you see fit is fine with me.”

“I’m sure Dave Trembley’s gone through 14 different versions of what it might be,” MacPhail said.

“I do like…Miguel Tejada says he has no preference where he hits, so I guess he won’t be submitting his own lineup ideas to this blog.

“Last year, I went from second to sixth,” he said. “Every day I was in the lineup, I was totally happy.”

According to president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, Tejada told him, “Just put me in the lineup. Wherever you see fit is fine with me.”

“I’m sure Dave Trembley’s gone through 14 different versions of what it might be,” MacPhail said.

“I do like the idea that we do have a lot of different ways we can attack it, and I think a lot of it is going to shake out in spring training in terms of who’s coming around and who isn’t, but it’s a nice problem to have. I think our lineup’s going to be well-balanced and I think we’re going to give some people some trouble.”

Tejada’s wife was on crutches yesterday. I checked to make sure she passed her physical, but I forgot to ask what number she’ll wear.

MacPhail shot down the idea of Tejada backing up Cesar Izturis. Don’t be so quick to show Robert Andino the door.

The same goes for Ty Wigginton. I noted at FanFest that he’s a trade candidate, but it’s not like he’s been squeezed from the roster. He backed up Melvin Mora and Aubrey Huff last season. He could do the same with Tejada and Garrett Atkins.

As for the suggestion that the Orioles could trade Izturis during the season, it’s possible because he’ll be in the final year of his contract, but it’s not like they have a hot shortstop prospect beating down the door. Not yet anyway. And they really value his defense.

Many of you noticed that left-hander Rich Hill signed a minor league deal with the St. Louis Cardinals that includes a spring training invite. We’ll probably see him in Jupiter, though not as frequently with the Orioles relocating to Sarasota.

The Orioles kept their offer on the table, but Hill must have preferred a National League contender. Maybe pitching coach Dave Duncan can repair his delivery, and his career.

I tried to contact Hill last night, but ended up with his voicemail again.

I’m taking this opportunity to promote a fundraiser for 15-year-old Billy Redman, who’s undergoing treatment for a brain tumor at Johns Hopkins. His stepfather is a fellow Old Mill High School graduate.

The event will be held on Feb. 19 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Beefalo Bob’s Reflections Hall on Fort Smallwood Rd. in Baltimore. Tickets are $45 for singles and $80 for couples. Contact Nikki Helsel at 443-623-1425 for more information. The family also is accepting donations.

I’ll close this entry with a quote from Tejada that’s worth repeating:

“What happened in Haiti can happen to anybody, and that’s why we’ve got to appreciate everything that we have.”

That message rings true in so many ways.