The early results are proving Aubrey Huff has indeed found the perfect way to spend his offseason.
For a second straight winter, Huff did absolutely nothing when it came to baseball activity, and it's paying off. The Orioles first baseman went 4-for-5 with three RBIs Monday, with his average climbing to .346. Huff took most of the winter off before the 2008 season because he underwent surgery to repair a hernia. He responded with a Silver Slugger-winning offensive line of a .304 average, 32 home runs and 108 RBIs.
This offseason, Huff's most worthwhile activity was calling manager Dave Trembley to state his case for a defensive position. With Kevin Millar leaving town, Huff wanted the opportunity to become the Orioles' regular first baseman. So far, so good. The Baltimore infield defense has looked strong.
Ideally, Huff would bat fifth in a lineup in which Nick Markakis hits third. But the way Markakis, Brian Roberts and Adam Jones are setting the table for Huff, Trembley will look past his back-to-back left-handed bats.
Huff, 32, is in a contract year, his third with the Orioles.
ORIOLES 10, TEXAS 9: The Orioles improved to 1-0 in their new road jerseys, thanks to a 16-hit attack. Nick Markakis made a game-changing, running catch in deep right-center in the ninth inning to preserve George Sherrill's third save.
