Mar 26, 2009 9:42 pm US/Eastern
Orioles Put Shortstop In Izturis' Sure Hands
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) ―
When the Baltimore Orioles signed Cesar Izturis as a free agent this winter, they had one thing in mind: solidifying their infield defense at a troublesome position.
Any offense the sure-handed shortstop provides will be a bonus.
"Sometimes you need some defense on your club and sometimes you need some offense on your club. ... They bring me here for a reason, so I'm happy to be here," said Izturis, who signed a two-year, $5 million deal on Dec. 15. "It's a team with a tradition, with a lot of expectations this year and a lot of young guys and people who want to win. I like it."
Shortstop was a black hole for the Orioles last year, when eight players committed 28 errors, the most at any position.
Luis Hernandez was deemed the starter coming out of spring training and lasted only 26 games. By the time the season ended, shortstop had become a revolving door.
"You read the paper and you see on TV, there was a lot of movement on that position. When you look at free agency, you start looking at what spots are going to be good for you and your future," said Izturis, who went 2-for-4 in Thursday's 11-6 loss to Florida and is now hitting .182 this spring.
So what does the 29-year-old Izturis possess that Hernandez, Brandon Fahey, Alex Cintron, Freddie Bynum and Juan Castro didn't?
"When you play long enough, it doesn't take a whole lot to realize somebody can really play defense," said Izturis' new double-play partner, Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts. "I've heard more than I've seen, because he and I were both at the (World Baseball) Classic. But everybody I talk to just says, 'Wow, you're in for a treat. He's awesome.' "
Izturis played 135 games with St. Louis last year, his most since 2004, when he won a Gold Glove for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The offense he contributed to manager Tony LaRussa's lineup -- where Izturis often batted ninth, behind the Cardinals' pitcher -- wasn't as important as his steadying influence in the field.
He made only 11 errors in 130 games at shortstop, and that ability to get to ground balls and turn them into outs was attractive to the Orioles.
"You got one guy instead of six or seven or whatever we had last year. That, in itself, will be a lot better. (Izturis) is really good defensively," Baltimore closer George Sherrill said. "It gives you that extra little confidence to let them put the ball in play, knowing that more than likely you're going to get an out."
Orioles manager Dave Trembley will bat Izturis at the bottom of his lineup, and would be happy to see him replicate last year's .263 average, one homer, 24 RBIs and 24 stolen bases.
"The guys down there, they've got to turn over the lineup," Trembley said.
Izturis understands that aspect of the job description. And with legitimate speed in Izturis, leadoff hitter Roberts and utilityman Ryan Freel, Izturis believes the Orioles may run a little more.
"I feel good, my legs feel good," said Izturis, who missed time this spring while playing for Venezuela in the WBC. "I think it's going to look different. It's my job to get on base, steal a base, be there for the big to drive me in. And I like to do my job."
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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