How does Cruz fit into the lineup?  SARASOTA, Fla. - During his
session yesterday with the media, Orioles manager Buck Showalter
challenged me to come up with a starting lineup. That's what
happens when you sit in the front row.  Showalter won't
reference Nelson Cruz by name until the deal becomes official,
but he clearly intended for a projected lineup to include the
veteran outfielder/designated hitter.  Cruz has hit in every
spot, but it's safe to assume he won't lead off in Baltimore. My
initial thought was batting him fifth.  I brought up the idea of
batting Chris Davis fourth to separate right-handed hitters Adam
Jones and Cruz. Matt Wieters could hit sixth and J.J. Hardy
seventh.  Here's where it gets complicated.  Showalter doesn't
want left-handed hitters in the eighth and ninth slots if Nick
Markakis is leading off. Same if David Lough is batting first.
That's three in a row, which could cause matchup problems in the
late innings.  So much for having Lough eighth and Ryan Flaherty
ninth, or vice-ver