Notes on Johnson, Bourn, Crichton, Drake, steals, Mancini, more

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are expected to re-sign infielder Chris Johnson to another minor league deal, perhaps as early as today, after releasing him on Monday.

It's complicated contract stuff, the restructuring of a deal.

Johnson still is projected to play third base at Triple-A Norfolk, and he also can move across the infield.

Outfielder Michael Bourn also figures to come back after requesting and being granted his release, unless another team unexpectedly steps up and makes a better offer.

Bourn's finger remains in a splint and he may be a month away from playing. The only way it makes sense for him to leave is if he surveys the outfield landscape and doesn't envision an opportunity after he's healthy.

Stefan Crichton breezed through the ninth inning yesterday and recorded his team-leading fourth save in a 5-4 win over the Braves. Crichton still hasn't given up a run or walked a batter in eight innings in his eight appearances.

The Orioles are relieved that no one took Crichton in the Rule 5 draft. They made the right decision to leave him unprotected, but it was a risk. And now he's emerging as someone who could be in their bullpen this summer.

Each outing heightens the temptation to break camp with him, but it's not expected to happen.

What will the Orioles do with Oliver Drake? His spring has been a huge disappointment, but he threw two scoreless innings yesterday when challenged to step up, and there are people in the organization who are leery of exposing him to waivers - he's out of options - and taking the chance of having him claimed by another team.

The other alternative is putting him on the 25-man roster, but he's carrying an 8.78 ERA this spring and doesn't have a track record in the majors beyond a good September. And with only two spots left in the bullpen, the Orioles probably want relievers who can give them length. It's an interesting dilemma.

The Orioles ranked last in the majors last season with only 19 stolen bases. They have 31 this spring, led by Rule 5 pick Aneury Tavárez with eight and Craig Gentry with seven.

They swiped four bases yesterday - two by Gentry, one by Tavárez and one by Chris Dickerson - and would have made it five except Trey Mancini lifted his front leg and was tagged out before making contact with the back foot.

Could the Orioles keep Mancini, Gentry and Tavárez on their opening day roster and go with 10 pitchers? The off-days may allow it and the idea has been kicked around.

Manager Buck Showalter is asked about Mancini almost daily - the bat, the move to right field, the roster crunch that might keep him at Norfolk.

"He's a lot calmer defensively," Showalter said. "You can tell that he's been able to show us things that people having him for 140 games tell us about. And up here sometimes.

"That's what's been so impressive about a guy like (Cedric) Mullins, who has great clock already at a young age, and I think Trey's really gotten his clock in good shape at first base and it also plays into him offensively that he doesn't have to rush as much to the ball. He's really trusting his mechanics and his swing and he's putting some really good at-bats together down here. He's been fun to watch.

"That ball that he hit (in Fort Myers) against the wind ... But it's the other parts of the at-bat that you really like. He sees a pattern that people are pitching him and he makes an adjustment to it. That's been encouraging to see him adjust from at-bat to at-bat, from pitch to pitch."

Oh yes, Mullins. He delivered an RBI double yesterday after entering the game late, because he just can't help himself. And he crushed it to right field, Showalter thinking off the bat that it was a home run.

Showalter brought up Mullins' name in the middle of a question about someone else. He just can't help himself.

Mullins has a double, triple, home run, four RBIs and four runs scored in 14 at-bats in the Grapefruit League. He also homered in a B game, slamming a ball off the batter's eye. And the debate continues within the organization over whether he should move up one level to Single-A Frederick or two levels to Double-A Bowie.

I'm wondering if the Orioles traded for Alec Asher yesterday at least partially because one of the anticipated starters at Norfolk is headed for their bullpen in long relief. Food for thought.

The online betting site Bovada has set the over/under in a variety of categories. Just for fun, give me your picks - but please, no wagering.

Manny Machado batting average - .290

Machado home runs - 33 1/2

Machado RBIs - 90 1/2

Machado runs - 101 1/2

Chris Davis home runs - 37 1/2

Chris Davis RBIs - 95 1/2

Adam Jones home runs - 26 1/2

Adam Jones RBIs - 84 1/2

Adam Jones batting average - .270

Mark Trumbo home runs - 32 1/2

Mark Trumbo RBIs - 90 1/2

Jonathan Schoop home runs - 23 1/2

Zach Britton saves - 38 1/2