The Orioles and Cesar Izturis

It looks like the Orioles have started looking for a shortstop on the market, and may have found a candidate...

From The Baltimore Sun: The Orioles have talked to the representative for free agent Cesar Izturis, the latest indication that the slick-fielding shortstop is at the top of their list to fill the team's vacancy at the position.

Izturis, 28, hit .263 last season with one homer and 24 RBIs in 135 games for the St. Louis Cardinals. He's a career .260 hitter over parts of 10 major league seasons that include stints with the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates and Cardinals.

Orioles president Andy MacPhail wouldn't comment on specific options, though he again reiterated that finding a shortstop is one of his offseason priorities. The Orioles used six different shortstops last season and none is on the team's 40-man roster.

"Whatever we are going to do, I am pretty confident that it's going to be a significant improvement over what we had, not that that is a high bar," said MacPhail, who has yet to make Izturis an offer.

I don't know if I am a huge fan of Izturis; however, he brings experience and a steady glove to the table and of course -- he is a former CUB.

We obviously a much better shortstop and stability at the position, but I think the Orioles should be looking for someone superior and who's got some pop. Honestly, Izturis would not be a liability in the Orioles lineup -- assuming it can replicate it's 2008 numbers -- alas, does anyone expect that to be replicated considering the career year both Huff and Mora had?

I'd like a shortstop whose offensive numbers may be superior -- mainly, Edgar Renteria, Rafael Furcal and perhaps Orlando Cabrera; however, getting one of three would come with a huge cost -- mainly, draft picks and obviously money.

If Iztruis is signed, let's hope his glove can also help the defense, and the Baltimore pitching staff which may need all the help it could get (assuming Burnett or a veteran isn't signed).

Regardless of who is signed or whatever, there needs to be a better solution for next year than what was offered in 2008.

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