Gone?

With Cubs scouts on hand, Roberts stands out

O's second baseman goes 1-for-2 with a walk, RBI double, run scored and two stolen bases

By Jeff Zrebiec and Roch Kubatko
Sun reporters
7:15 PM EST, February 28, 2008
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.

On a day when two Chicago Cubs scouts were on hand to watch him play, Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts stood out in the Orioles' otherwise dreary exhibition season debut today. Roberts went 1-for-2 with a walk, an RBI double, a run scored and two stolen bases in the Orioles' 16-3 loss to the Florida Marlins at Fort Lauderdale Stadium.

"That's how Brian Roberts plays the game," said Orioles manager Dave Trembley. "That's what he's going to have to do to make our offense go."

Roberts, who hit .290 last season with 12 homers, 57 RBIs and 50 steals, led off the bottom of the first with a walk, stole second and third and then scored on Melvin Mora's chopper to the left side that was booted by third baseman Jorge Cantu.

The sequence, which was taken in by Cubs special assistant to the general manager Ken Kravec along with another Cubs scout, is an example of what makes Roberts so attractive to Chicago.

Looking for a leadoff hitter to jumpstart their offense and get on base ahead of sluggers Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee, the Cubs have targeted Roberts for months and there is a sense in the industry that the uncertainty with second baseman Mark DeRosa could accelerate the trade talks. DeRosa underwent a procedure today to correct an irregular heartbeat.

The Orioles are believed to be looking for a package that includes pitcher Sean Gallagher, shortstop Ronny Cedeno, pitching prospects Jose Ceda and¸or Donald Veal and perhaps one other player.

The Orioles will dispatch a scout to Arizona to look at some of the players being discussed next week. While both sides still feel confident that a deal could get done, talks are expected to continue for a couple more weeks.

"I don't think about those things that I don't control," said Trembley. "I've talked to Brian many times and the way he played today says a lot about him as a professional."