The Orioles won't lose too many key players to the World Baseball Classic, and while there are a handful of top prospects destined for Fort Lauderdale, there is little chance of any minor-leaguers breaking out.

The Orioles open camp with only two solidified slots in the rotation. Outside of right-hander Jeremy Guthrie and Japanese import Koji Uehara, manager Dave Trembley and pitching coach Rick Kranitz have roughly a dozen potential starters to choose from.

The bullpen core returns, though two middle-relief spots should be up for grabs.

The only question marks on offense are in left field and on the bench. Felix Pie, acquired from the Cubs in a three-player trade, is out of options but has enough talent to learn on the job, as center fielder Adam Jones did a year ago.

There is some flexibility in the lineup, but the team's most powerful bats -- Nick Markakis, Aubrey Huff and Luke Scott -- are all left-handed.

Cesar Izturis should solidify the shortstop position, where six players were used in an ever-evolving shuffle in 2008.

Gregg Zaun will provide veteran leadership behind the plate and in the clubhouse while holding the catcher's position until top prospect Matt Wieters is deemed ready.

The Orioles are expected to lose third baseman Melvin Mora, outfielder Lou Montanez and, perhaps, Guthrie to the World Baseball Classic. Markakis turned down a spot from the United States team, while second baseman Brian Roberts was passed over.

The Orioles prepared for missing players this winter, signing position players with more versatility and inviting nearly 70 players to camp. Therefore, Trembley's camp shouldn't be severely altered by the second edition of the world tournament.

Wieters, outfielder Nolan Reimold, and pitchers Jake Arietta, Brad Bergesen and Chris Tillman represent some of the best prospects the organization has invited to Fort Lauderdale in years.

The impact of president Andy MacPhail's efforts is evident in the roster, which isn't as top-heavy as it was two seasons ago but is much deeper than it has been during the organization's 11 consecutive losing seasons.

WHERE, WHEN: Ft. Lauderdale Stadium, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. First exhibition game is Feb. 25 against the New York Mets.

TOP CANDIDATE TO SURPRISE: OF Adam Jones won't surprise anyone after a strong first season with Baltimore. But after he spent his offseason working out at the famed Athletes' Performance Institute in Arizona, Jones is expecting a big season. The center fielder had put on 25 pounds of muscle as of mid-January even though he planned to trim down about 5-10 pounds by the Orioles' report date.

TOP CANDIDATE TO DISAPPOINT: RHP Matt Albers was brilliant in a long relief role in the first half of 2008. Then he tore the labrum in his pitching shoulder and missed the remainder of the year. After electing not to have surgery, Albers will have to prove he's healthy to crack the big-league roster. Historically, players who opt to pass on such surgery have experienced lingering issues.

AUTHORITY FIGURES: Manager Dave Trembley, who is 108-146 in Baltimore since taking the reigns in June 2007, is in his element running a spring training camp. Trembley, a career minor league manager before 2007, was promoted to coordinate the on-field activities in Fort Lauderdale. He is extremely organized and detail-oriented, and his approach will benefit the club as it works through nearly 70 camp invites and the constant shuttle between both the World Baseball Classic and the minor league complex across the Florida peninsula in Sarasota.