MacPhail talks contract and Showalter talks Roberts with season-ticket holders

At the "State of the Orioles" address this afternoon with season ticket holders here at Camden Yards, O's president of baseball operations Andy MacPhal was asked by a fan about his contract. He is in the last year of his deal and the fan wanted to know if he will be staying with the Orioles. "I have always taken the position, unlike one my good friends in the game Jim Riggleman, let's just see how we do," MacPhail said. "Let's get to the end of the year and see how we do and take it from there.

"I'm not a big contract guy. Let's see how we did, if we are moving the ball forward and take it from there. I am very fortunate. The owner has done everything he said he was going to do with me and we have a good relationship. "We will just see how we feel and see what the record is at the end." MacPhail was also asked by a fan if the Orioles would pursue Albert Pujols and/or Prince Fielder in free agency. "Major League rule 3J prohibits me from talking about any other teams players. We do understand we are looking to aid the middle of our lineup and it is something we have been focused on for some time," MacPhail said. "We think, as an organization, we have improved the left side of the infield offensively with J.J. (Hardy) and Mark (Reynolds). One of my favorite players being around this game is Derrek Lee. He has saved as many runs as he has driven in. "But we are very much aware to win in the American League East, we are going to have to be an offensive juggernaut as well. How is that for a long answer to a short question." Manager Buck Showalter was asked when Brian Roberts is coming back. "Brian had two wisdom teeth taken out today and had a workout in Sarasota for the first time without any real complications. He has to go back to Pittsburgh in a week to 10 days to get checked out again," Showalter said. A fan asked Showalter if Roberts is the future at second base for the Orioles or if the club had to begin to look in another direction. "Obviously, if Brian is healthy and on the field we are a better team," he said. "But at every position you always go 'what if.' Someone that has played 160 games seven years in a row you still have to say what if. "We hope Brian comes back but to say we are not thinking about 'what if,' would not be honest."