Duquette On Free Agency, Second Base

[Jordan Tuwiner]

Just saw this bit on MLBTR:

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.”

[mikezpen]

Good news if true.It looks like Angelos is allowing them to spend a little more than the $84 million or so that was supposedly their limit.Wasn't their payroll around $90-95 million a couple of years ago when they signed Vlad Guerrerro?

[osforlife]

I don't see a reason for any mulit-year contracts.
1.) Sign Melky Cabrera to a one year deal to man left field.
2.) Sign a mid-rotation/back-of-the-rotation starter to a one year deal to man the 5th spot in our rotation.
3.) Reimold and Betemit would be a better DH combo than anything we could find on the market.

[ofahn]

I don't see a reason for any mulit-year contracts.

Certainly not beyond three years nor at a premium price. I might consider an extension for Hammel, but it would have to wait until late April or so to make sure the knee is whole.

Sign Melky Cabrera to a one year deal to man left field.

I would look at Torii Hunter (leadership) first, but if he's not willing to come here on a one year contract then I might consider Cabrera.

Sign a mid-rotation/back-of-the-rotation starter to a one year deal to man the 5th spot in our rotation.

Saunders would be my first choice because he's a known quantity.

[Old Sneakers]

At this point you can include me in on the Saunders bandwagon. He may not have looked stellar when first acquired, but down the stretch he was proving his worth. They need to get this done. With so many what ifs with the younger starters (Matusz, Arrieta, Britton and Tillman) this guy is pretty durable and more likely to be effective down the stretch of the season.

[birdwatcher55]

Bite the bullet and sign Hamilton and make this lineup truly special

[ofahn]

Bite the bullet and sign Hamilton and make this lineup truly special

Are YOU paying for any contract year beyond the third?

[Seafordeagles]

Bite the bullet and sign Hamilton and make this lineup truly special

I agree, 4 year contract. Although I think some team will give him at least 6 years.

[ofahn]

I think some team will give him at least 6 years.

"There's a sucker born every minute" - author disputed.

[Old Sneakers]

"There's a sucker born every minute" - author disputed.

P.T. Barnum

[ofahn]

P.T. Barnum

Maybe not.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/There%27s_ ... ery_minute

[Old Sneakers]

I knew you would go by wiki.

Barnum deserves it though. He ran multiple sideshows and was a politician.

[steve]

Get Kelly Johnson from Toronto.And get BJ Upton who can supply speed and power

[ofahn]

:lol: I knew you would go by wiki.

Barnum deserves it though. He ran multiple sideshows and was a politician.

Probably so. I was going to attribute to P T, but I wanted to be factually accurate. Yes, I'm that anal.

I'm glad we could get a chuckle out of it.

[ofahn]

Get Kelly Johnson from Toronto.

Why do you feel he would be an improvement over what we already have?