Hargrove says he'll take his time deciding on batting order

[Porter]

Here's what we know -- Ichiro Suzuki will hit leadoff. The rest, essentially, is subject to change, though it looks like Adrian Beltre will hit second with Jose Lopez (eighth) and Yuniesky Betancourt (ninth) situated at the bottom of the lineup.

The rest is essentially up for grabs.

"We still have a lot of Spring Training left and there's a lot of things I still want to look at as far as hitters' abilities," Hargrove said. "There's a question at the three spot -- we have to find a guy who can hit three. We'll see where it goes."

The uncertainty of the 3-7 spots of the order is a slight concern. That more has to do with the new guys coming in than last year's dismal display. You do know that Sexson and Ibanez will be hitting together. Guillen is impressing in camp so far but he doesn't have the pure contact you need in the 3. Vidro to me is a 2 hitter and Beltre should be the 3, keep in mind of his 2nd half last season. Johjima isn't a protypical middle of a lineup guy but neither was Ibanez until last season.

Source.

[Sound2TheBay]

1.Ichiro
2.Vidro
3.Sexson
4.Ibañez
5.Beltre
6.Guillen
7.Johjima
8.Lopez
9.Betancourt

Lots of right-handed batters...

[Porter]

Hargrove made it pretty clear that Beltre will most likely hit 2nd because of his sucess there, based on his great 2nd half run.