When spring training started in February, the Orioles had several roster spots up for grabs: reserve catcher, two other bench positions, a couple of rotation slots and two to three bullpen openings.
With 10 days remaining in camp, the names of the candidates have changed some, but the battles remain the same.
"I think there are definitely a couple of positions that have not been determined," said Andy MacPhail, the club's president of baseball operations. "I wouldn't say that's terribly unusual. Sometimes, these decisions are self-evident; other times, it takes a little while to figure out the best course.
"I'd say we are closer to the latter than the former this spring."
The club's decision-makers will meet again Wednesday to discuss roster construction, as they have done periodically this spring. Frankly, there are plenty of scenarios to be discussed.
The Orioles likely will break camp with a four-man rotation until a fifth starter is needed April 10, the ninth game of the regular season. That means they could temporarily make room for an eighth reliever or perhaps a fifth bench player.
One possibility is keeping three catchers; another is three left-handed relievers or two utility infielders. There's also the remote possibility that reserve left fielders Felix Pie and Nolan Reimold could both make the club. Most likely, though, the Orioles will use the spot to deepen their bullpen.
As is often the case, building the 25-man roster isn't always about compiling the most talented group. There are contractual and financial considerations as well. Players such as Robert Andino and Jake Fox are out of options and would have to be exposed to waivers before being sent to the minors. Left-handed starting pitching prospect Zach Britton has had the best spring, but if he isn't recalled until late April, the Orioles will have him under team control for an extra season.
And, of course, the decisions become more complicated if first baseman Derrek Lee, second baseman Brian Roberts and pitcher Koji Uehara aren't healthy enough to play Opening Night.
Also, near the end of the past two springs, MacPhail has acquired a player in a minor trade: Andino in 2009 and infielder Julio Lugo in 2010. He could do that again this month, especially with a surplus of intriguing role players such as Andino and Fox.
The San Diego Padres, among others, are looking for middle-infield help, and several teams, most notably the Houston Astros, are in need of a catcher. The Orioles, like every club in baseball, could use more pitching. So an 11th-hour trade can't be ruled out.
"If something makes sense to us, sure," MacPhail said.
Here's a look at the Orioles' potential roster with 10 days left in the spring: who is in, who has a chance and who needs a miracle, listed in alphabetical order.
ROSTER LOCKS (13): LHP Michael Gonzalez, RHP Kevin Gregg, DH Vladimir Guerrero, RHP Jeremy Guthrie, SS J.J. Hardy, IF Cesar Izturis, RHP Jim Johnson, CF Adam Jones, RF Nick Markakis, LHP Brian Matusz, 3B Mark Reynolds, LF Luke Scott, C Matt Wieters
Skinny: These players were contributors last season or were acquired in the offseason to be key components of the 2011 Orioles. This group is going north.
HEALTH WILLING (4): RHP Justin Duchscherer, 1B Derrek Lee, 2B Brian Roberts, RHP Koji Uehara
Skinny: Duchscherer (hip) has pitched just two innings this spring and is not throwing from a mound. He says he still has time to be ready for the opener, but it would be an absolute stunner if he didn't start the season on the disabled list. Lee (wrist/foot) and Roberts (back) returned to game action recently, and Uehara (elbow) is expected to pitch in a minor league game Tuesday. Barring setbacks, they are expected to be on the April 1 roster.
LOOKING GOOD (5): RHP Jeremy Accardo, RHP Jake Arrieta, RHP Brad Bergesen, C-UTIL Jake Fox, OF Felix Pie
Skinny: Arrieta was one of several starters fighting for two spots in the rotation. He's now the favorite for one. Bergesen appears to be battling with Chris Tillman for the other slot, though Britton and swingman Josh Rupe are still being considered. The most likely scenario is that Bergesen makes the rotation and Tillman is sent to the minors until the club needs a fifth starter. There has been internal discussion about putting Bergesen in the bullpen initially to help protect the other young starters. That would allow Tillman and Bergesen to both make the team, but that's only one of several long-relief options.
Pie is in a battling with Reimold to be the fourth outfielder. Reimold has minor league options remaining (Pie doesn't) and has outplayed Pie, but his development might be better served playing every day at Triple-A Norfolk. So Pie is close to a lock. Fox has just about bashed his way onto the roster with seven spring homers. He'd be a no-brainer, but the brass still isn't sold on him as the lone backup catcher. Still, he has probably earned a spot. Accardo, also out of options, has pitched well enough for a bullpen job if he isn't squeezed out by the numbers game.
SQUARELY ON THE BUBBLE (8): IF Robert Andino, RHP Jason Berken, LHP Mark Hendrickson, LHP Clay Rapada, OF Nolan Reimold, RHP Josh Rupe, C Craig Tatum, RHP Chris Tillman.
Skinny: Tatum is better defensively, but he has a minor league option remaining. The club could take three catchers, but some in the organization think that's a waste of roster space since the backup won't play much in April behind Wieters. Andino passed through waivers last spring, but several scouts expect he would be claimed this time. He also has a big supporter in manager Buck Showalter. It might come down to him or Tatum.
Berken is the leading candidate for one long-relief role. There could be a spot for one other, and Rupe has seized the opportunity with an excellent spring. Hendrickson is more accustomed to pitching multiple innings than any other candidate, and that helps his cause. But if Accardo makes the team and Uehara is healthy, it's unlikely Berken, Hendrickson and Rupe would all go north. Rupe and Hendrickson are on minor league deals, and Berken has an option remaining. Rapada makes the team if the club can afford a lefty specialist, but it might not have that luxury with concern about how long the young starters will last in games.
LONG SHOTS (5): 3B Josh Bell, LHP Zach Britton, IF Brendan Harris, RHP Chris Jakubauskus, RHP David Riske
Skinny: Britton has impressed, but barring injury, he'll probably start in the minors and receive a call up after April 20, which would guarantee he doesn't get full service time for 2011, meaning he would be under club control through 2017. The others in this group would need injuries to other players to make the roster but are potential call-ups this season. The club loves Riske's professionalism and would like to see him accept a minor league bullpen spot. Jakubauskus didn't receive a spring training invitation but has been used in major league games and is also someone they would love to have at Norfolk.
ON WAY OUT (9): LHP Mike Ballard, LHP Alberto Castillo, RHP Ryan Drese, LHP Chris George, IF Nick Green, C Michel Hernandez, RHP Adrian Rosario, RHP Rick VandenHurk, OF Randy Winn
Skinny: VandenHurk was supposed to be a rotation or long-relief candidate, but he has had a terrible spring. He is out of options, and the Orioles don't appear to be too concerned about exposing him to waivers. Rosario, a Rule 5 pick, has talent but is too raw for the big leagues. The rest could be released or fill reserve roles in the minors. Ballard, Castillo and George aren't on the camp roster.
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