At What Point...

[Hank Scorpio]

...do we start to look for a legitimate contingency plan regarding 2nd base? Izturis is no kind of real answer. He's the worst offensive player in baseball.

http://www.masnsports.com/school_of_roch/2011/03/roberts-could-undergo-more-testing-on-back.html

Back injuries just don't go away. This will be an ongoing mess.

[Great8]

If they're not already looking, they're pretty foolish. Izturis, Andino, Harris -- none of them should be considered the every day option if Roberts can't go. I hope they're scouring the rosters of every team in baseball right now. It's time to panic at this point.

[Frobby]

Probably Andy will wait until close to the end of spring training, and if BRob is looking really iffy then, he can look to trade for a better backup middle infielder. We have enough spare parts lying around that we can probably find someone.

[SilentJames]

My concern level has been raised with this new report. You CAN come back from back injuries a disk issue is not a baseball death sentence. Let us see what the doctors say and move forward from there.

[SilentJames]

If they're not already looking, they're pretty foolish. Izturis, Andino, Harris -- none of them should be considered the every day option if Roberts can't go. I hope they're scouring the rosters of every team in baseball right now. It's time to panic at this point.

No its really not. Panicking just leads to stupid moves. Level of concern is higher than I would like it to be. But for all we know the docs will come back and say rest and tylenol and he'll be fine.

Roberts MO has always been, get dinged up and miss 10-15 games a year.

[Sports Guy]

I was going to start a thread about this.

This is really bad news right now.

I remember I used to bring up his back issues a while ago and many said I was wrong about it...Well, this is the problem with backs...They get progressively worse as you get older if you have a condition.

BROb has suffered with back issues since college but it hasn't been until recently where it has really effected him on the field.

I am not sure that we can assume things are really going to get better.

As of right now, IMO, the bench SHOULD be Fox, Andino/Harris, Pie and Izzy(not because I want izzy but because there is no way he is getting cut).

If I am right and that is what the Orioles are thinking, then I believe they need to go out and look to acquire a better back up second baseman and still keep Izzy as the UTI IFer.

A guy I have been touting for a while is Zack Cozart, from Cinci. He has a reputation as a solid defensive SS and has a good bat. I would assume he could handle second base.

He is off to a very good ST start as well:

http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=446359&c_id=cin#sectionType=career

He is blocked in Cinci and while they could very well want to keep him, I would have to think there is a chance of some kind of trade being made.

He also could end up being the long term answer at SS for us, in case Hardy doesn't re-sign here(for whatever reason).

[MikeAD]

IMO something would have to happen soon that was bad enough for Roberts to start off on the DL. And even in that scenario it has to be the 60 Day DL and not the 15 day DL.

We don't really have the resources to get a real 2B to fill in now. And pick up someone who is cut, we would need to move them once Roberts is back because I can't see them moving Izzy.

It is what it is. We will have to make do. Roberts will play when he can, and hopefully he can play 140 games this year.

[Hank Scorpio]

I was going to start a thread about this.

This is really bad news right now.

I remember I used to bring up his back issues a while ago and many said I was wrong about it...Well, this is the problem with backs...They get progressively worse as you get older if you have a condition.

BROb has suffered with back issues since college but it hasn't been until recently where it has really effected him on the field.

I am not sure that we can assume things are really going to get better.

As of right now, IMO, the bench SHOULD be Fox, Andino/Harris, Pie and Izzy(not because I want izzy but because there is no way he is getting cut).

If I am right and that is what the Orioles are thinking, then I believe they need to go out and look to acquire a better back up second baseman and still keep Izzy as the UTI IFer.

A guy I have been touting for a while is Zack Cozart, from Cinci. He has a reputation as a solid defensive SS and has a good bat.

He is off to a very good ST start as well:

http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=446359&c_id=cin#sectionType=career

He is blocked in Cinci and while they could very well want to keep him, I would have to think there is a chance of some kind of trade being made.

He also could end up being the long term answer at SS for us, in case Hardy doesn't re-sign here(for whatever reason).

He would likely be expensive, but I agree with your sentiment here.

[Jagwar]

I'm more concerned with the impact on the lineup than the defense. I would be willing to accept a drop off in skills at 2B for someone who could actually hit. (sorry Izzy)

[VAB2110]

Bad news on Roberts but at least it's happening in the spring when there's still a chance to make some moves. If this had cropped up again after the start of the season it would have been worse. By the way, good luck getting Angelos to sign anybody long term again. The list of guys who have fallen apart on him after signing 3, 4, 5 year deals is getting kind of long. Keep Markakis in your prayers.

[Sports Guy]

The extension keeps looking worse.

[Dipper9]

The extension keeps looking worse.

As much as I love BRob, and as much as I was in favor of him being a lifelong Oriole, I have to admit I am starting to agree with this sentiment.

Even IF BRob turns out okay for Opening Day, we have a brand new shortstop who BRob should be working with to get their timing down, and this latest setback is not allowing that. Its just not good news any way you slice it.

[Aglets]

Hate to be a debbie downer........but this is what I think Andy will do.

Seems like there was a ton more evidence LAST year that B Rob had back issues......and guess what?

We traded for Julio Lugo on April 1st. That was about a week before the season began?

So I predict they'll wait until we're about a week out or so before they make a move. They really want BRob to start and will give him every opportunity to heal.

Do I agree with this? not really.......

[Moose Milligan]

At what point does Cozart join the Kotchman Man-Crush HOF?

I can't help it, I'm in official freak out mode over this. I hate to say "I've been saying it..." but I've been saying it since last year. Back issues never go away. Just look at anyone in your every day life who has constant back problems...and they're doing anything as nearly as demanding as Roberts is doing.

[VAB2110]

Hate to be a debbie downer........but this is what I think Andy will do.

Seems like there was a ton more evidence LAST year that B Rob had back issues......and guess what?

We traded for Julio Lugo on April 1st. That was about a week before the season began?

So I predict they'll wait until we're about a week out or so before they make a move. They really want BRob to start and will give him every opportunity to heal.Do I agree with this? not really.......

That tends to be the front office's mind-set when they're paying a guy $10 million. I think Harris will probably be the guy if Roberts can't go.