FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Though the Orioles refuse to confirm any linkage, the future of longtime catcher Chris Hoiles appears woven to the team's willingness to retain rookie Willis Otanez as its right-handed designated hitter and backup corner infielder.

Hoiles acknowledged after yesterday's exhibition tie against the Boston Red Sox that he is uncertain about his status and hasn't spoken with manager Ray Miller since Feb. 21. No longer able to handle the rigors of catching because of a degenerative hip condition, Hoiles conceded he will retire if the Orioles release him and has no plans to play beyond the 1999 season.

"Can it be linked?" said general manager Frank Wren. "Possibly, but not necessarily."

"He's not fighting for a job," insisted Miller. "He's got to prove he's healthy and can contribute. He's under contract like everyone else; he's a major-league player."

Wren and Miller insist no decisions will be made until late this month. Until then, Otanez, 25, will continue to play regularly, not only for Wren's benefit but for other clubs interested in a possible trade. Otanez, a former waiver acquisition from the Seattle Mariners who slammed 27 home runs and drove in 100 runs at Rochester last season, is out of minor-league options. Should the Orioles decide against keeping him, they must either trade him or grant him free agency.

"Frank and I said we would look and judge people and try to play them through the middle of next week. Then the next week we've got to try to answer questions. I think that's what we should do. I want to get Otanez plenty of playing time," said Miller, conceding the issue is "a little clouded."

At the same time the club weighs Otanez vs. Hoiles, it also continues to search for a middle infielder among prospects Jerry Hairston, Jesse Garcia and Carlos Casimiro. A thumb injury suffered last week by second baseman Delino DeShields has forced Jeff Reboulet into a starting role. Miller, who advocated breaking camp without a reserve middle infielder last March, would not be so bold with DeShields unavailable.

The Orioles' starting catcher since 1991, Hoiles can see the end of his blue-collar career after compiling 151 home runs and 449 RBIs. Crouching became a painful chore last summer and an attempt to warm up pitchers during the first day of camp only confirmed a suspicion that he no longer could catch.

"I would probably have to say this year is it," Hoiles said. "My contract's up. My hip isn't going to get any better. I don't know about my back. Is it 100 percent healed? I don't know that. But based upon what I know about the problems I have, I don't know if I can continue that much further."

Yet he maintains he has plenty left for this season. Bothered by chronic back pain last season, Hoiles said he jogged without discomfort on a treadmill Tuesday for the first time in nearly a year.

"To do that, I feel, is making strides," he said. "I don't know what they're looking for. I don't know if they're looking for a percentage of health. I know it's not ever going to be 100 percent. I have to minimize the pain and maximize some other things. I think that I've done that since I've been here. But when I said I wasn't going to catch anymore, it seemed like a bomb was dropped in the clubhouse. Everybody was surprised by it. I wasn't surprised because I knew the writing on the wall."

The Orioles traded for Gold Glove catcher Charles Johnson during the off-season and have projected him as catching 120-130 games. The club also has committed to Lenny Webster as its backup.

Hoiles has been projected as right-handed designated hitter and backup first baseman to Will Clark. Miller has categorized the chances of Hoiles again catching as "somewhere between none and never."

"Hoiles knows he has physical problems. He knows that he's not able to catch now. He knows he has to go out and hit. I think those are decisions that have to be made. You just play everybody before you start making scenarios," Miller said.

Hoiles, who turns 34 on March 20, is entering the final installment of a five-year contract that pays him $3.7 million this season. While the Orioles are not eager to swallow the salary, the availability of Otanez -- and his major-league minimum $200,000 salary -- makes the move plausible.

Hoiles admitted surprise at Miller's comments earlier this spring that he was not assured a spot on the team. A subsequent lack of communication since has only heightened his concern.

"There should be a degree of respect that an eight- or nine-year major-league player should get. I don't think I've received that but I guess that doesn't matter," Hoiles said.

Miller characterized the infield questions as hypothetical. DeShields is scheduled to have his cast removed today and may begin exercising this week if X-rays are encouraging. However, his projected absence of five to seven weeks still stands. DeShields is virtually certain to begin the season on the disabled list with Reboulet the prohibitive favorite to start in his place.

Behind Reboulet a scramble exists. Among second basemen, Miller says he is most impressed by Garcia's lightning quickness.

Hairston, 22 and entering only his third professional season, is still adapting to the switch from shortstop that accompanied his promotion from Single-A Frederick to Double-A Bowie last July. Before signing DeShields, Wren dispatched infield coach Sam Perlozzo to scout Hairston in the Arizona Fall League. A determination was made that Hairston would be best served by a season at Triple-A Rochester.

Casimiro appears the least likely candidate. He received his first at-bat in the Orioles' fifth exhibition game.

Meanwhile, with the Orioles showcasing Otanez, last spring's top prospect, Ryan Minor, has been relegated to first base and late-inning appearances.

Reboulet's temporary status as starter leaves Miller without a backup shortstop as well. Miller nominated Esteban Beltre as his backup to Mike Bordick until DeShields returns. Beltre has 510 major-league at-bats over five seasons with the Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers and Red Sox. He spent last season at the Minnesota Twins' Triple-A affiliate in Salt Lake City. Miller also said that Cal Ripken could be used in emergency situations.

"I wouldn't want to have to start him. But later in the game there would be situations where you could move him over," said Miller.

Pub Date: 3/11/99