As a former Oriole fan I heard that a lot the last few years Cal played. My response was always "Who was going to take his place? Manny Alexander?" The Oriole farm system was and still is a train wreck. With no one to promote to short and the free agent money going to great choices like Bonilla and Albert Belle, I don't know that there was any option other than Cal at short. Cal was one of the few reasons to pay to see a once great franchise and now that he is gone, I know that's why I'm one of those empty seats at Camden Yards.
But enough of that...LETS GO NATS!
Wrong again, liver and onions breath..... ;^)
If they had moved Cal to 3rd, they might have been able to sign a free agent SS.
I'm of the age where the SS was a defensive position and not to be counted on for offense.
Cal changed that...to the detriment of the O's. Cal invented A-ROD and JETER...and to a lesser extent, Nomar Garciaparra.
If Cal had been playing his REAL position 3rd base, they would have been able to fill in the SS position.
Finally, 3rd is an easier position to play.