For all of us who remember the disasters of 2008, we know how important having a respectable shortstop is to the Orioles.  Cesar Izturis didn't offer much at the plate, but his exceptional fielding was among the best in baseball and helped our young pitching and gave us stability.  However, Izturis was signed for only two years, making him a free agent at the end of the upcoming season. 

When I was a kid, a teacher of mine once told me that forethought is the only thing in the world that's free.  Therefore, I think it is time to start thinking about the possible long-term solutions at shortstop for the Orioles, of which there are a plethora of options, both within the O's system, in the draft, and on the trade and free agent markets.

Option #1: Resign Izturis.  It isn't the worst plan.  The former gold glover turned in a season which was easily among the five best in the game with the glove.  His .280 wOBA isn't much, but in 112 games he posted a WAR of 1.3 due to his defense.  He'll be 31 at the start of the 2011 season, so it isn't like he will be over the hill.  Bill James projects Izturis' wOBA to decline to .276 in 2010.

Option #2: Robert Andino.  We have him already.  He's cheap.  He's not Izturis with the glove (or with the bat).  Nothing in his minor league career indicates he deserves to be a starter in the majors.  Not a good option, but less terrible than anyone we had in 2008.

Option #3: Pedro Florimon Jr.  Our most advanced shortstop prospect.  Had easily the best season of his minor league career with Hi-A Frederick in 2009, showing improvement in every offensive aspect posting a .764 OPS.  Not considered a top prospect however, and would need to continue to show significant improvement in all aspects to approach Andino-like offense in the majors.  Has the potential to be a plus defender with great range, but his 36 errors in 2009 show how far he has to go.

Option #4: Mychal Givens.  Givens, the O's second round pick in 2009, did not play after not signing until the deadline.  A two-way player in high school, Givens is extremely raw in all aspects of the game.  Has the tools, particularly the arm strength, to be a plus defender, but his small frame makes it unlikely that he will ever develop power.  Years away.

Option #5: Garabez Rosa.  The Orioles top international prospect at present, Rosa spent most of 2009 in short-season Aberdeen.  Showed some power potential and not much else.  Years away, and not a highly regarded prospect.  This ends the list of current O's shortstop prospects who have any chance of contributing at the major league level that I know of.

Option #6: Christian Colon.  The shortstop of Cal State Fullerton and Team USA is widely considered the best college shortstop prospect in the 2010 draft.  Near the end of a great summer with Team USA, for which he was named team MVP, Colon broke two bones in his leg.  However, he is expected to be fully recovered in time for the start of the college baseball season.  Colon's makeup and leadership are off the charts, and lead every article about him.  However, this also reflects on his lack of a standout tool - he is average to above average in contact, eye, power, arm strength, speed, and defense.  But that package is impressive for a shortstop, and he has demonstrated that his skills translate to wood bats and is expected to stick at shortstop.  If he proves he has no lasting effects from his injury, he is definitely a candidate for a top ten pick in the draft.  His advanced bat also could mean that he would move through the minors quickly.

Option #7: Brandon Wood.  The former #3 prospect in baseball has stagnated without playing time with the Angels and is buried on their depth chart behind Erick Aybar and Macier Izturis.  Wood offers average defense at short, but has also seen time at third base, and could possibly be given the starting 3b job in Anaheim if Chone Figgins departs.  Now out of options, Wood will likely be dealt if he isn't going to start at third.  His value will be down due to his lack of options and his failure to hit in the majors in very limited opportunities.  Some feel that due to his size he will outgrow the shortstop position in time.  Still shows the tools to be an elite right-handed bat.

Option #8: Macier Izturis.  The backup infielder for the Angels will be a free agent at the end of the 2010 season.  Offers a Cesar Izturis package with slightly less defense and better on-base skills and is two years younger.

Option #9: Reid Brignac.  The lefty hitting Tampa prospect has nothing left to prove in AAA, but is unlikely to pry the starting shortstop job away from Jason Bartlett after his breakout offensive season.  Brignac offers plus defense, above average power for a shortstop, but is a liability against left-handed pitching.  With the addition of Sean Rodriguez in the Scott Kazmir trade and #1 pick Tim Beckham in A ball, Brignac is a prime candidate to be traded, probably in a similar deal to the Delmon Young/Matt Garza swap.  Brignac will cost a high quality prospect, and perhaps more to a divisional opponent like the Orioles.

Option #10: Something else.  2010 is a year away and who knows what will happen.  But there aren't any other current trade candidates who are ready to start that I'm away of, and Jeter, Reyes and Rollins will all probably not be free agents at the end of 2010, leaving Izturis the most attractive starting option.

It is precisely this lack of options that I believe makes this issue an urgent one that needs to be thought about now.  There has been a lot of talk about the need to add power, a closer, and a veteran starter.  But there are a lot more than nine reliable options available to the Orioles for all those things.  In one year, the Orioles project to have a glaring hole at a key position.  It is time to be thinking about filling it.