"O's still in talks with Joe Saunders" & "want to add a starter"

[Jordan Tuwiner]

https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/281830518658576385

Orioles are still in talks with free agent Joe Saunders. They want to add a starter.

[BuckMagic]

Makes perfect sense to me...he was solid last year.

I wonder if this pushes Arrieta, Matusz, Britton all back to the minors

[ofahn]

I wonder if this pushes Arrieta, Matusz, Britton all back to the minors

I hope so. Let's give them the development time they never had.

[ofahn]

IMO Saunders on a one year deal with a vesting option is fair for both sides.

[birdwatcher55]

Matusz is a lights out eighth inning guy that has no business being in Norfolk come April. If Britton is healthy and throwing well, he's your #5 SP. Arietta needs a fresh start elsewhere

[LA Detective]

Im only in favor of it if they are almost certain they are going to make a trade of one of their starters.

I know Saunders pitched great in postseason but he did just ok during the regular season. I dont think anyone was that thrilled he was starting the Texas game. I think our options for the fifth starter are better than him. I could see anyone of Matusz, Arrieta, Britton or even SJohnson having a great spring, if not all 4 of them. Then by midseason Bundy and Gausman could be ready.

If it is believed that some still need further training in the minors then i would rather see SJohnson as #5. I think he is the most finished product. It is just a matter of can get major league hitters out for 7 innings. I cant see Matusz, Arrieta or Britton spending more than a couple more months in the minors.

I know "you can never have enough pitching" but I really believe this is the year that at some point, even after a short time in the minors, that we could have a few guys take bigs steps forward. Signing Saunders certainly wouldnt be horrible but I would like to see these guys have a chance to seize the opportunity.

[osforlife]

Anybody interested in Kyle Lohse?

[ofahn]

Anybody interested in Kyle Lohse?

For ONE year? Sure.

If I'm going to give a SP a multi year contract I'd be more inclined to wait until we see if Hammel's knee is sound in ST and offer him a two year extension.

[osforlife]

For ONE year? Sure.

If I'm going to give a SP a multi year contract I'd be more inclined to wait until we see if Hammel's knee is sound in ST and offer him a two year extension.

I'd be more inclined to give Lohse two years after two maginificent years over Hammel after 20 starts of legit pitching. I see Kyle Lohse as a #2 pitcher who we could get on a two year deal. He'd be an substantial upgrade over any other starter on the market and he'd be basically replacing Jason Hammel. If Bundy, Gausman, Arrieta, Matusz, Britton, Wada, or Johnson deserve a chance to start, Hammel can be trade bait.

[Matt P]

Makes perfect sense to me...he was solid last year.

I wonder if this pushes Arrieta, Matusz, Britton all back to the minors

I can't imagine all three of them would be in the rotation to start the year even if they don't sign Saunders.

[Old Sneakers]

Makes perfect sense to me...he was solid last year.

I wonder if this pushes Arrieta, Matusz, Britton all back to the minors

Matusz almost certainly. Whether or not Saunders is signed. I won't go off on a tangent regarding Matusz. Though I will say Saunders is a veteran that really held up nicely down the stretch and this team needs that.

[ofahn]

I will say Saunders is a veteran that really held up nicely down the stretch and this team needs that.

Which is why I would pay him a little extra on a one year contract with a vesting option. IF he starts out strong and the kids are ready to come up in June or July we could trade him for a solid prospect because the team that acquires him knows they'll have him for 2104, too.

[Jordan Tuwiner]

Interesting bit from Buster Olney: www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/12/olney-on-.html

Joe Saunders is receiving interest from four clubs and the Orioles have ramped up their efforts to retain him. It seems Saunders would be in position to get more than the two-year, $15MM deal signed by Joe Blanton.

[BuckMagic]

Interesting bit from Buster Olney: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/12/olney-on-.html

If he is given two years...probably is just dealt at the deadline in 2014? Ideally there is so much depth by then that he's not needed...

[ofahn]

Interesting bit from Buster Olney: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/12/olney-on-.html

I would be happy to have Saunders back, but I don't like that price. If we could make the EXPANDED Hardy/Porcello trade I suggested on a different thread Saunders would no longer be an issue.