The A's signing of Orlando Cabrera and continued interest in Nomar Garciaparra has lasting repercussions on the 25 man roster. The signing of Cabrera pushes Bobby Crosby out of the Starting Shortstop job, and into some murky waters.

Some might remember that when Miguel Tejada was leaving, there were questions about why the A's did not retain Tejada and play Bobby Crosby at Second Base. The answer was that scouts did not believe that Crosby had the arm angle to play 2nd. He couldn't do it. But now that Crosby has found himself either as a Backup Middle Infielder for the A's, or a Starting Shortstop for a team in even dire need of a Shortstop, we have to ask the question: CAN Bobby Crosby be a backup infielder for the A's, or can he only play Shortstop?

If the A's retain Crosby, that would push Cliff Pennington back to Triple A Sacramento for the few weeks that Crosby is still healthy once the season starts. Pennington does have a slight hope still to make the team opening day, however. If Crosby is dealt before opening day, then the roster slot will go to Pennington. Pennington can also make the roster as the Backup Third Baseman if he manages to out hit and out field the slew of Corner Infielders the A's have brought on board; Jack Hannahan, Jeff Baisley and Joe Dillion. But even in the unlikely event that Pennington can supersede those three, if the A's sign Nomar Garciaparra, Pennington's chances of making the team look bleak.

But, maybe not. As I eluded to above, what if Bobby Crosby does stay with the team, but can't play Second Base? What do the A's do then? After all, its unlikely that Garciappara can play Middle Infield. Mark Ellis is already recovering from Injury, and it would be foolish to go with out a backup for him. That puts Pennington back in the game.

If the A's retain Bobby Crosby, there are a few scenarios that I could see happening.

a) Bobby Crosby learns how to play 2nd Base and becomes the A's Backup Middle Infielder.

b) The A's sign Nomar Garciaparra, and go with a 5 Man Bench with Crosby backing up Shortstop and Pennington backing up the 2B, SS and 3B behind the grizzeled (read: injured) vets.

c) The A's do not sign Garciaparra, but retain Jack Hannahan on the 25 Man Roster, and have Hannahan back up 3B, 1B and 2B.

I think C will be awfully tempting for the A's in terms of versatility, but I do not like it to be honest. We have a complex situation in the infield with several old or injury prone starters. We can not afford to have one player back up 3 positions alone.

So what is the conclusion? Bobby, unless you learn how to play Second Base right now (and Third Base for good measure) and work on it through out Spring Training, you are going to find yourself off the team. And Cliff, if Bobby isn't playing Second in the next week or two, consider your roster spot secure.