More Huff, and the bench

Aubrey Huff doesn't necessarily pay close attention to everything that's reported in the papers and over the internet, especially during the winter months, but he was part of a captive audience during the Mark Teixeira negotiations.

"I just thought it was ridiculous, the whole media thing," he said.

"You never really know what's going on behind closed doors, but it didn't seem like he was ever going to sign with Baltimore, the way it looked. It seemed like he was holding out for a bigger deal and I couldn't see him signing for $140 million with all that other money out there."

And that suited Huff perfectly, since he wants to be the starting first baseman this season. He could appreciate all that Teixeira had to offer, but he also had to look out for himself.

"Obviously, with him in the lineup, there would be a lot of protection, and he's a guy who gets on base and has a lot of power, but at the same time, I'd really like to play first base this year. I'm sure I wouldn't have started over him," Huff said.

"I just hope I get a legitimate shot at first this year. That's certainly what I expect, as of now - to be the starting first baseman. And I hope that's the course of action. I certainly don't think I embarrassed myself at first or third.

"I don't mind being the DH. It's cool. But every day, it gets old. You want to be out there every now and then."

Huff was happy to find out that Chris Gomez agreed to terms on a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.

"Go-Go's back. I love him," Huff said. "He's a great clubhouse guy and he's a guy who can play anywhere in the infield. That's a good signing for us. He's like a fine wine. He gets better with age."

Gomez has to make the team first, and that's not a certainty. As The Sun reported yesterday, the Orioles signed Jolbert Cabrera to a minor league deal, and he'll compete with Gomez and Donnie Murphy for a utility job.

(masn.com)