Wondering about Beckham and the left side of the infield

Remember when it seemed like the Orioles lineup mostly was set and the offseason was all about finding starting pitchers, a left-handed bat and veteran catcher to provide insurance for Chance Sisco?

The past week has brought such dramatic change that it now appears to be one of the most unsettled winters in recent memory.

The Orioles could trade at least one of their star players, which isn't a usual occurrence in Baltimore. They could take a Platinum Glove winner and move him to another position, which isn't a usual occurrence in baseball.

Who's on third, who's at shortstop, who's closing and what the heck are the Orioles going to do with four Rule 5 picks in camp?

Trey Mancini is playing left field and Adam Jones is staying in center field, with the understanding that he's likely to slide over to right field at some point if he signs an extension. As long as the Orioles come up with a legitimate defensive upgrade. As long as he's open to staying through what could turn out to be a rebuild of unknown proportions, though executive vice president Dan Duquette insists that the goal for 2018 remains for the club to be competitive.

With the Orioles checking on pitchers Gerrit Cole and Danny Duffy, the former unattainable because the Pirates are seeking far too much in return, they're operating as though losing Manny Machado and/or Zach Britton wouldn't preclude them from making a run at the playoffs. It would be a neat trick, like pulling reload out of a hat.

I'm pretty sure that Jonathan Schoop will play second base and I'm positive that Chris Davis will play first. Caleb Joseph will be one of the catchers. And I'm supposed to send over a mock lineup, rotation and bench to a national publication with a due date that arrives before Christmas.

I'll politely ask for an extension. And it won't have to cover the next 10 years.

The left side of the infield is so far up in the air that it might bring rain. Tim Beckham can do nothing except proceed through the winter with every intention of playing shortstop on opening day unless he's told otherwise.

Any shortcomings after the trade had nothing to do with a lack of effort. Beckham was on the field early to work with third base coach Bobby Dickerson, who also serves as infield instructor, and Mike Bordick.

"Those drills, going out with Bobby and going out with Mike, obviously they're two well-rounded coaches that have been around for a while now and I'm more than happy to work with them," Beckham said last week on the "Orioles Hot Stove Show" on 105.7 The Fan. "Those drills help me slow the game down and that's kind of what I needed because I was always going so fast, moving so fast, wanting to make every play as quick as possible. So just slowing the game down and knowing my time and knowing my clock in my head.

"They reminded me to catch the ball first before you can make the play."

Shortstop J.J. Hardy, his job taken away by a Lance Lynn pitch that slammed into his right wrist and Beckham's scorching August at the plate, also offered his assistance. Exactly what you'd expect from a team player and the leader of the infield.

"I tell Dan, I thanked him for bringing me over and having that confidence in me as a player and as a person to come over and fill in for J.J. Hardy," Beckham said. "Those are some big shoes to fill. He has multiple Gold Gloves and I'm just trying to follow in his footsteps and do my best on defense, do my best every night and help the club win ballgames and hopefully end up winning a Gold Glove."

He needs to stay at one position, and it's too early to know whether that's going to happen.

The Orioles seem to prefer keeping Schoop at second base, though he has experience at shortstop and third and therefore would be a candidate to move if Machado is traded or goes back to his original position. Beckham has made five starts at third base and it certainly would be a gamble to call upon him as Machado's replacement, especially with improved defense being one of the offseason goals.

The Tigers are making shortstop José Iglesias available and third baseman Mike Moustakas remains on the free agent market. Perhaps the Orioles could undergo a total makeover on the left side of the infield.

I'm just throwing names against a wall. Who's with me here?

Beckham is counting on regular duty with the Orioles next season.

"It was tough times in Tampa," he said. "Obviously, when you're a competitor, you want to be in the lineup every day and you want to compete and you want to be able to help your club win ballgames every night. But this year was my first year of really playing every day and it wasn't easy platooning in the American League East, but you make the best of what you have and you kind of play the cards you're dealt and you just hope you can get an opportunity at one point in time.

"The opportunity came with Baltimore and when the opportunity presented itself I wanted to make the most of it and take advantage of it."