First base might be the weakest position in the entire Orioles organization.
Aubrey Huff is likely to fill the role, as of now, for the 2009 season. But the team would prefer to keep him at designated hitter, where he did much of his damage while batting .304 with 32 home runs and 108 RBI last season. Kevin Millar, now a free agent, logged most of the innings in the field in 2008.
There have been reports suggesting the Orioles might be interested in Richie Sexson, who has spent the last two years struggling to rediscover the powerful stroke that produced 149 home runs in five seasons.
It's possible the Orioles could bring back Millar in 2009 as a discount, secondary option after losing out on free agent Mark Teixeira.
The Orioles also have Oscar Salazar in house -- a player many in the front office like, but as a reserve and pinch-hitter rather than as a starter.
The Orioles are unlikely to make any bids on higher-priced options such as Adam Dunn or Jason Giambi. They also could go for a cheaper option such as Doug Mientkiewicz or Sean Casey.
It's no secret the team could use a right-handed bat to go between right fielder Nick Markakis and Huff. Both are left-handers, as are the majority of the available free agent first basemen.
Help isn't necessarily on the way from the farm system anytime soon, either. The closest thing to a first base prospect in the organization is former first-round pick Brandon Snyder.
After struggling at third base and catcher and eventually undergoing shoulder surgery, the right-handed hitter moved to first base and designated hitter full-time in 2008, batting .315 with 13 home runs and 80 RBIs for Class A Frederick.
The Orioles consider catching prospect Matt Wieters a potential first baseman later in his career.
