Steve Melewski of MASN Online recently spoke to Orioles president Andy MacPhail about the possibility of spending money in free agency. MacPhail is open to a possible big dollar contract, but he leans toward youth:
Whatever the player and the investment, they have to fit into the strategy of what it is we are trying to achieve as an organization. The likelihood of us signing someone who is 35 is not great. If they are younger and can be helpful to us and their career will be longer with us that just a short-term fix, that’s a whole different story.
MacPhail said he wouldn’t rule out any player, but it’s fair to dismiss the recent Manny Ramirez rumor. The Orioles may look to sign Mark Teixeira or A.J. Burnett, who both have local ties. Tex will be 29 in April, and Burnett will be 32 in January.
