Jeff,

When I read Roberts had a back issue, I started asking the legitimate question, "If he sits, who bats leadoff?". based upon Trembley's answer, he doesn't have an obvious first choice alternate.

I believe Spring Training enables an objective evaluation of 'what if' scenarios; instead of, reacting to the crisis during the regular season. If you're not going to experiment during the exhibition games, then they have much less organization value and solely serve individual players seasonal preparation.

So - 'what if' Gonzalez was to go on the DL for any length of time, who would be the most likely alternate closer?
Uehara, Johnson, Mickolio, Lebron, or other? At least there are more obvious alternate choices under this scenario than replacing Roberts leadoff skills.

My choice: Mickolio (presuming all of the early recent written hype about him is true).

Boomer is right on the money. Management needs to approach the season like they're going somewhere instead of being successful and being surprised.

Jeff, I agree with Boomer and Dennis on this. While we all hope that there's nothing major wrong with Brian's back that's going to have him wind up on the DL for any length of time, the Orioles don't seem to have a contingency plan in place.

While Andino is slated to fill in at second, could the team really afford that scenario very long? Don't think so. Even if he can handle the fielding duties, we all know he's going to be slotted ninth in the lineup.

But that leaves unanswered a much bigger question: Who leads off?

The best base stealer on the team after B-Rob is Izturis, he gets on base far less and isn't an extra-base machine like Roberts, either.

The only other possibilities, based on who the O's now have on their roster and who figure to go north are:

* Jones - looks to hit well enough, but isn't a good base stealer despite his speed and has power better suited for further down in the order

* Markakis - good on-base guy, who also has the potential to steal 20 bases, but is more a run producer than a plate setter

* Reimold - in his sophomore campaign and may be too occupied trying to maintain his gains from last year to be thrust into an unusual situation; like Jonesy is more a power guy, though he's probably better than Adam swipping bases

* Pie, who potentially could be a leadoff hitter, still has so many question marks, not the least of which is how he's going to find regular playing time

* Tejada - oddly enough, may be the best choice despite his lack of speed, because he makes solid, consistent contact and loads up on the doubles with his gap power, though he walks less than is ideal and would probably be more comfortable lower in the order.

So none of the in-house candidates is really suited to step into that role, and even though a few could probably be adequate leading off, there's still the other problem of lineup being thrown out of kilter as moving one player is going to require the reshuffling of spots in the order.

Since no one in the minors fits the bill, the solution would seem, should the O's think they can take a step up this year, is to sign a veteran middle infielder who can lead off and play behind B-Rob and Izzy. Considering that the only free agent left who plays second is Pablo Ozuna, clearly not the answer, then the Orioles would need to make a trade or try to get by with a modified lineup, while keeping their fingers crossed that B-Rob's stint on the DL isn't too long.

My money is on Jones going on the DL before Roberts.

...Frankly, I'm more fustrated right now with Trembley playing ostrich and unwilling to address legitmate managing issues than who actually would be the next best choice for hitting leadoff. He didn't hestitate to nominate Andino as the fielding backup.

I really hope Guthrie gets a sizable amount of work done this spring training. Last year's World Baseball Classic turned him into a pitching eunuch.

You know Pie just might be the answer. I like to see Pie do so well in spring training, that he plays himself into an every day player slot. If he hits, he can be the leadoff hitter.