The Orioles will pursue offense this offseason, with a particular focus at designated hitter and left field, according to executive VP Dan Duquette. In a conversation with MLBTR at the GM Meetings Duquette said he has the flexibility to pursue free agents who require long-term commitments.
“Sure. We can consider some multiyear deals,” he said. “I believe that our team, though, has a solid foundation. We could add one or two pieces either through trade or free agency or international free agency in the offseason to help our ballclub.”
Duquette focused on the international market in his first offseason with Baltimore, signing Wei-Yin Chen and Tsuyoshi Wada to multiyear deals. The Orioles aren’t as impressed with the starting pitching available internationally this year, Duquette said. At the very least, they’ll check in on the top players.
Duquette said he likes the team’s internal options at second base, especially after adding Alexi Casilla. Robert Andino, Brian Roberts and Ryan Flaherty are alternatives in Baltimore, according to Duquette.
Kyle Haker
Would like to see them possibly target Giovotella in a trade
NebBird
No thank you! He barely cracked the roster in KC. They can keep his .270 OBP.
Royals Fan
Small sample size. Johnny can hit. Give up some of that young pitching and let’s get a deal done.
Lefty_Orioles_Fan
The only way the Orioles get better for 2013 is to “Pony” Up the dough at the register of “Free Agency.” It’s our only hope!
As for Brian Roberts, I wish we could do with him what the Mets did with Bay.
We can’t get rid of the contract, but the O’s could capitalize it and spread it over a couple of years.
Guest 4024
Why buy out his contract? Probably cheaper for the Orioles just to keep him on the 60-day DL and collect the insurance checks.
Jim Low
All I hope is that the O’s don’t remain status quo. As much as I like McLouth and Saunders, both have had struggles in their recent recent history and with Arrieta and Matusz at probably their highest trade value with their age. I say take a shot at some trades
Andrew Ochs
I hope so to, but my gut feeling is that this offseason will be more of the same
Orsulakfan
Interesting that he didn’t mention 1B as a target area. I wonder if that means that Reynolds is returning or whether they’d move Davis to 1B. Or whether the guys they target for DH could also play 1B.
Michael Tyler
I think Chris davis is the first baseman. Orioles will get a DH and Mark Reynolds will be knocking on doors trying to find a job.
Orsulakfan
Reynolds is okay. He’ll definitely get a job, although I don’t know if it will be with Baltimore.