A crazy camp doesn't get any calmer with Kim news

TAMPA - The Orioles are concluding one of the most bizarre, exasperating and exhausting spring trainings in franchise history.

This could be inaccurate, a gross exaggeration, but I'd need examples that trumped what happened in Sarasota.

Yovani Gallardo agrees to terms on a three-year contract, concerns about his right shoulder surface during a physical and the deal is restructured. Dexter Fowler agrees to terms on a three-year deal, according to sources, but surprises the Cubs by showing up at their camp in Arizona. Agent Casey Close has a meltdown 48 hours later that he shares on Twitter, and union head Tony Clark goes from camp to camp scolding the media for it's handling of the story.

Pedro Alvarez is a late signing, Miguel Gonzalez is a late cut and Hyun Soo Kim would rather be late on fastballs than report to Triple-A Norfolk.

To be fair to Kim, he isn't obligated to accept the assignment and simply wants the Orioles to abide by his two-year deal. But nothing has been simple this spring and we've got a mess on our hands.

It's almost impossible to imagine the Orioles eating $7 million and waving goodbye to Kim. The odds of him being in the starting lineup on opening day are only slightly better.

If he's staying with the Orioles, is he sitting on the bench? A pricy reserve with deficiencies at the plate and in the field.

The other solution is finding a team for Kim in the Korean Baseball Organization, except it's late for such a transaction with rosters set and he doesn't want to return. Otherwise ...

Kim is making $2.8 million this season. The Orioles could tough it out, hope he improves with extra work and make another attempt to find a KBO team for him next winter.

Players are intrigued by the situation. They like Kim, and some are puzzled by his disappearance from games. They also know he's at a disadvantage against hard-throwers and doesn't possess the defensive skills to make up for it.

The Orioles won their first game after an 0-10-2 start, but catcher Matt Wieters exited after one inning with a sore right elbow. Nothing has been simple this spring.

Yesterday's win over the Braves gave the Orioles an 11-15-5 record in the Grapefruit League. Five ties. That's a whole lotta sister kissing.

There's been good stuff, too, like Joey Rickard going from obscure Rule 5 pick to the star of camp. Dylan Bundy is healthy and getting hitters out. Zach Britton is unhittable. J.J. Hardy is healthy and driving the ball. Mark Trumbo is batting .300 with five homers and 17 RBIs, crushing fastballs and waiting on curveballs like a professional hitter. Jonathan Schoop is quietly batting .355, if it's possible to do such a thing, and looks like he's going to break out in a big way.

Alvarez is 7-for-40 with 15 strikeouts, but he's homered twice, driven in nine runs and feeling better than a .175 average would suggest.

"I think the biggest thing is getting the ABs, and we've been able to accomplish that," he said. "I feel pretty good right now. I'm in a good place. I just want to carry all the good stuff up north and get started."

Alvarez has looked comfortable at first base. It's been easy during games to forget that he's out there, which is meant as a compliment. His every move hasn't been scrutinized.

"I know what I'm capable of, I know what I can do," he said. "You can work out all you want before camp starts, but it's not the same when you're around everybody and you're on your feet and you're wearing cleats all day, so getting in that baseball shape was huge for me.

"It was nice to go out there and work with Bobby (Dickerson) on my defense and just be able to run around and stuff like that. I know the first couple days I was just like a little kid on a playground, out there all day, but obviously that was important. I had to play a little catchup, but like I said, I'm in a good place right now and eager to see what the future has in store for us."

The bonding process with new teammates has been effortless, just as close friend and former roommate Ryan Flaherty predicted.

"The guys have been great," Alvarez said. "Just so welcoming. Ryan would tell me how good the guys are, but his words fell short of how good these guys are, you know? Anytime you can come into a clubhouse like that, it makes the transition a lot easier. I'm very fortunate for that."

Note: Former Orioles catcher and current MASN analyst Rick Dempsey and Maryland State Senator Bobby Zirkin will throw out the ceremonial first pitches on opening day.

Dempsey is entering his 50th year working in professional baseball.