MASN: MacPhail on first base and the rotation

Even though there have been reports that the Orioles are pursuing a right-handed hitting first baseman, O’s president Andy MacPhail indicated today that he would not be unhappy if Aubrey Huff winds up as the regular there.

“I’m certainly open to Aubrey being that guy. He has some interest in doing it. He had an outstanding season last year and we’re fortunate to have that internal option. But, it even goes beyond Aubrey being able to play first. He can play third and he can DH. We’re not, in no way, shape or form, relegated like we were in finding a catcher. We did have to find a catcher, but we don’t necessarily have to find a first baseman because we have a perfectly attractive alternative.”

...MacPhail added the O’s are leaning towards giving Danys Baez a shot at the rotation in spring training. He also confirmed the O’s are close to signing a catcher and Roch Kubatko has reported that the O’s are close on a deal with Gregg Zaun.

MacPhail was asked if Koji Uehara could become the team’s number two starter?

“That will be up to Dave and Kranny how they sort them out. It’s a cliché, but the fact of the matter is, the media puts a number on them, ranks them, but its five starters and whoever is out there that day is your No. 1 starter. That’s what we think of that. Those are things we have time to work out. Those things become self evident after spring training.”

Thanks to Hooks Iott with a lure.