FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Less than three weeks remain until Opening Day against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Camden Yards. Time enough for the Orioles to grind through 18 more exhibition games, making history in the process with a layover in Havana.
Time enough for pitchers to squeeze in another round or five at Doral.
Time enough for Home Team Sports to give a shivering fan base three more glimpses at its renovated team.
Maybe even time enough for Albert Belle to start talking about something the media, life in right field, the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle.
Less certain is whether the Orioles have enough time to answer the questions still being asked by scouts and rival industry officials who consider the veteran team an intriguing bunch but question whether last winter's triage will make it competitive again.
Thus far, there has been encouragement from a rehabilitated starting rotation, the source of last season's meltdown. However, the Orioles have concurrently exhibited shoddy defense, a still-evolving lineup and quiet concern about a reconfigured bullpen built around closer Mike Timlin.
"You don't look at wins and losses as much as what direction people are headed in," said manager Ray Miller, his team at 4-5-1 after yesterday's 1-0 loss to the New York Mets. "I see things coming together pretty well."
Yesterday's exhibition continued a run of positive starts by a rotation decimated last season by injuries. Miller has repeatedly endorsed Scott Kamieniecki, only six months removed from disk fusion surgery. The impact can't be overstated by a team that at various times lost 80 percent of its Opening Day rotation last season.
"In my mind, everything works off the rotation," said Miller. "If you have confidence there, it can overcome whatever deficiencies you might have opening the season. Right now I feel very good about it."
To Miller's chagrin, three weeks will not be enough for second baseman Delino DeShields to recover from a broken thumb suffered in a March 4 intrasquad game when he caught Luis Matos' line drive. Barring a rehab assignment before leaving the disabled list, DeShields will enter the season without an at-bat vs. anything resembling major-league competition. Already his role has shifted from batting leadoff to hitting second behind Brady Anderson to possibly dropping to sixth in front of Cal Ripken.
Asked what one thing he hasn't seen from his team this spring, Miller quipped, "DeShields."
Concern doesn't stop at DeShields. The second base situation is complicated by DeShields' replacement, Jeff Reboulet, experiencing chronic discomfort in his left heel. Miller says he doesn't pay attention to Grapefruit League standings. More important, Miller insists, is finding enough at-bats for his veterans, several of whom are dogged by historically slow starts.
Belle batted only .247 with five home runs and 16 RBIs last April. The month is the only one in the last five seasons in which Belle has not averaged better than .300 and 19 RBIs. During his two seasons in Baltimore, shortstop Mike Bordick has batted .192 (28-for-146) in April. Bordick's strong March continues to tempt Miller with the possibility of hitting him second on Opening Day. The rest of the lineup continues to scuffle. The Orioles are hitting .218 with 20 extra-base hits in 10 games.
Belle, who once finished second among AL outfielders to Anderson in putouts, has struggled this month with his move from left to right field, dropping three balls generously scored hits.
Miller insisted as recently as Sunday that he is not reconsidering the alignment that allows B. J. Surhoff to remain in left field. Part of the manager's rationale is that Camden Yards' right field is less spacious, thereby easier to defend, a fact lost upon predecessors Geronimo Berroa and Willie Greene. Unsaid is that the Orioles play 81 road games and that Belle does not possess a right-field arm.
Off-field concerns also have affected play but should become less of an issue given yesterday's 10 reassignments to the minors.
General manager Frank Wren remains committed to acquiring another starting pitcher, preferably in the next three weeks. Among the dozen teams heavily scouting Kansas City ace Kevin Appier, the Orioles have attempted to showcase prospects as trade fodder.
Outfielder Danny Clyburn and third baseman Willis Otanez have received significant time. Otanez, an alternative to Chris Hoiles as right-handed designated hitter, also could become the centerpiece for a package including pitcher Chris Fussell.
Hoiles' adjustment from starting catcher to backup first baseman has been a halting one, but, according to Miller, won't determine whether he survives the intrigue with Otanez.
"If he shows he's healthy and can hit, he's on the team," Miller said last week.
Due $3.7 million this season, Hoiles, who turns 34 Saturday, walked into camp unable to squat and barely able to lumber from base to base. His mobility has since improved, though his admitting little desire to play beyond this season surprised a number of teammates.
Miller was encouraged by Timlin's one inning of work yesterday, especially given the closer's rough times in two of three previous outings. Should the Orioles be able to rely upon Timlin -- something that never happened with predecessor Armando Benitez -- Miller can maintain a well-ordered bullpen.
Pub Date: 3/16/99