Searching for order

New Phillies manager Charlie Manuel is locked into SS Jimmy Rollins and CF Kenny Lofton as his Nos. 1 and 2 hitters, but he'll experiment with the middle of the order. RF Bobby Abreu is the likely No. 3, but Manuel would prefer a righthanded cleanup batter (LF Pat Burrell is the logical candidate) to separate lefthanders Abreu and 1B Jim Thome.

... White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen wants a top-of-the-order combo similar to what the Marlins have with speedy CF Juan Pierre and 2B Luis Castillo. (Guillen coached two seasons in Florida.) LF Scott Podsednik will lead off, and CF Aaron Rowand, SS Juan Uribe and 2B Willie Harris all are capable of hitting second. ... Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin likely will try SS Royce Clayton in the No. 2 spot at the start of spring training. Clayton says hitting second for the Rockies in 2004 "opened up" his game.

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