Latest look at the lineup

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette told me yesterday that he's still working on the spring training roster with manager Buck Showalter. The club is expected to add at least one more player to a minor league deal before heading south. Former hitting coach Jim Presley remains under contract with the Orioles after being reassigned following the 2014 season, but it hasn't been determined whether he's going to work for them in some capacity. There were early talks of giving him a scouting job. "We're trying to figure that out," Duquette said. Showalter eventually will need to figure out a lineup for his club. Does Alejandro De Aza bat leadoff? Does Manny Machado hit second? Where does Travis Snider slot into the order? It won't be a set lineup, of course. Showalter values the flexibility of his roster. Snider may platoon with Steve Pearce in right field. We don't know on this date. Duquette and Showalter expect Delmon Young to get more at-bats this season, but he won't be the full-time designated hitter. MLB Network projected the following lineup this week: Alejandro De Aza LF Manny Machado 3B Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Steve Pearce DH Matt Wieters C Travis Snider RF J.J. Hardy SS Jonathan Schoop 2B David Lough could bat leadoff on the days that he cracks the lineup, though his speed hasn't translated into stolen bases. Then again, Nick Markakis wasn't swiping a bunch of bags, so it's not a prerequisite. Pearce is the designated hitter in this lineup, but he could move all over the place. I also can imagine Machado dropping down in the order, with Pearce rising to the second spot. Showalter suggested it as a possibility at the Winter Meetings. The bottom third was a black hole at times last season. Perhaps you feel better with Snider, Hardy and Schoop. I'll say again that I expect Hardy to hit more than nine home runs this season if he stays healthy. Schoop had 16 last year as a rookie. That's some nice pop in the last two spots. Feel free to take the lineup for a spin and give me your projections. Shameless plug alert: I'm back in-studio today for the "Wall to Wall Baseball Show" from noon-2 p.m. on MASN HD.