masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles will find out today whether they’re paying catcher Caleb Joseph $1 million or $700,000. His hearing was held yesterday in St. Petersburg, Fla.
It’s going to take a lot longer to figure out who’s batting leadoff this season.
Adam Jones did it for 108 games last season, the switch coming on May 27 in Cleveland. He batted .282/.320/.471 atop the order, but manager Buck Showalter stated after the season that he wanted someone else in the role in 2017.
Is there anyone on the current…

The Orioles will find out today whether they’re paying catcher Caleb Joseph $1 million or $700,000. His hearing was held yesterday in St. Petersburg, Fla.

It’s going to take a lot longer to figure out who’s batting leadoff this season.

Adam Jones did it for 108 games last season, the switch coming on May 27 in Cleveland. He batted .282/.320/.471 atop the order, but manager Buck Showalter stated after the season that he wanted someone else in the role in 2017.

Is there anyone on the current roster who’s more equipped to handle the responsibility?

Adam Jones back black.jpg“It all depends,” Jones said at FanFest. “We can’t have 12 people in the lineup, so it all depends how you structure your outfield defense, it depends how you structure your lineup.

“The infielders, really the only choice to lead off is Manny (Machado) and at this point in his career, I don’t think I’d do that. I would just let him grow into whatever player he’s going to be. He’s a three-hole hitter right now for any team, so leave him where he’s at.

“It just depends how you line up the outfield.”

So the leadoff hitter would have to come from the outfield. Were you expecting to find him behind the plate?

Joey Rickard has to make the team now that he’s no longer carrying Rule 5 status and it would be in a platoon or backup role. Seth Smith has been a leadoff hitter in 80 games and he owns a career .344 on-base percentage, but he also bats .202 against left-handers and figures to platoon, as well.

Hyun Soo Kim led the Orioles in average and on-base percentage last year, but he had 22 plate appearances against left-handers. Another platoon candidate, though Showalter said Kim could get more at-bats this year.

Executive vice president Dan Duquette wants a plus-defensive outfielder who can provide the much-needed speed element, but we’re still not talking about an everyday player.

Showalter doesn’t choose prototypical leadoff hitters because the cupboard is empty. The roll call also includes Nick Markakis and Machado. He’s more than willing to experiment.

Eight Orioles batted leadoff last year, including Rickard (40 games), Machado (seven), Kim (two), Steve Pearce (two), Jonathan Schoop (one), Nolan Reimold (one) and Michael Bourn (one). Pearce signed with the Blue Jays and Reimold and Bourn are free agents.

The Orioles have expressed interest in Bourn and met with his agent, but again, we’re not talking an everyday player.

Jones said he’s willing to stay in his spot if the team needs it.

“To be honest with you, I don’t care,” he said. “If need be, I’ll do it again. I don’t care. I’ll do whatever it takes. You guys know my personality. I don’t care about individual stats. I just care about the W at the end of the game. I’m all for it if that’s what needs to happen.

“I would enjoy hitting fourth, but if that’s not the case, I’ll do whatever this team needs me to do.”