Bird Droppings: Orioles Links for 02/24/09

Peter Schmuck reports that Felix Pie's visa issues are cleared up, and that Brad Hennessey will get a long look in spring training. Hennessey has a career 4.05 ERA in 460 minor league innings, but did spend many of those innings in the PCL. Hennessey is 29, which is the more damning number.

Andrew at The Loss Column looks deeper into the Ramon Hernandez trade than I admittedly have cared to since we made it. Ryan Freel is limber.

From Roch: "Ty Wigginton took ground balls at shortstop toward the end of today's workout. I still wouldn't look for him to play the position in a game anytime soon."

I think it's worth noting that Scott Moore worked out at shortstop and then played a little there in Norfolk last season and nothing really came of it except for a rotten AAA season. Wigginton has actually hit in the majors and even though Aubrey Huff thinks he's fat (and he kinda is), he could be the most awesome shortstop in the league if he could somehow handle the position.

Wouldn't it be kind of hilarious if we went to all that trouble to get Cesar Izturis and then Ty Wigginton wound up playing any shortstop? It won't happen, but I'm rooting for it. Cesar could come in and be the glove man late in the game while Wigginton charges around the infield like a rhino for six or seven innings and maybe jacks one. Plus he could steal Izturis' sport jacket.

Dempsey's Army looks at five things to watch during spring training, and includes a shout-out to Luke Scott's perfectly competent glove. I'm thinking of starting my own Army, where everyone has to be willing to admit that Luke Scott is a fine left fielder.

Cinderella Stories for spring training. None will happen. Especially not Ryan Keefer.

ZAUN IS HAPPY TO BE IN BALTIMORE. ZAUN HAS ALWAYS FELT AT HOME IN BALTIMORE. ZAUN WILL MENTOR THESE...SPROUTS.