Some more free-agent thoughts
The first part of this blog isn’t going to make many Orioles fans happy. I spoke to several agents Tuesday afternoon who represent free agents whom I believe the Orioles’ covet.
None has had substantial conversations with the Orioles so far this offseason. Most hadn’t talked to the Orioles at all yet. One agent I spoke to explained it this way: “I think they are still trying to figure out a plan and, frankly, they are a little behind the 8 ball right now with how long they went without a general manager.”
That said, new executive vice president Dan Duquette told me last night that he talked to several agents in Milwaukee on Tuesday and that the focus was adding depth to the bench.
Since some of those types are floating off the board, you can assume the larger-ticket items are not a top priority since that ilk isn’t typically signed until the winter meetings or later.
But I offer this caution: I don’t expect the Orioles to be particularly aggressive in free agency this offseason. Duquette has gone on record saying that he’ll look at all available avenues to acquire players and he believes free agency is the riskiest path.
That’s not to say they won’t land a free agent or two – they always do – but they don’t appear to be as active right now as some other teams.
One area I think that’s worth mentioning, however, is backup catcher. There have been suggestions from at least one national baseball writer that the Orioles are a fit for Jorge Posada and Ivan Rodriguez.
And I am sure that suggestions of Jason Varitek can’t be far behind, since Duquette once traded for him and because Orioles starter Matt Wieters has plenty in common with Varitek: Georgia Tech backstops and Scott Boras clients.
But those three are not what the Orioles are looking for – at least not now. What the Orioles want is a true backup, not a falling star who still thinks he should start.
The Orioles would like to have a veteran who embraces the role of backup and mentor and, when he is called upon once or twice a week to start, can provide good defense.
The previously mentioned trio wants to play – certainly more than the Orioles can provide an opportunity. And in the cases of Posada and Varitek, their days of being average catchers are in the rear-view mirror. So it would make it difficult for manager Buck Showalter to pinch-run for Wieters in the eighth inning of a tight game, because the drop-off behind the plate would be too severe.
One fit could have been Henry Blanco, the well-regarded 40-year-old Venezuelan, but he re-signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks (several teams inquired about Blanco but not the Orioles). Matt Treanor is also off the board, and Brian Schneider soon could be.
The list is thinning, which means that if a Pudge or a Varitek or a Posada is still standing around in January and the Orioles still have only one catcher on their 40-man roster, well, there could be a marriage. But not right now.
Speaking of drying-up markets, two potential second base targets, Aaron Hill and Mark Ellis, have signed elsewhere. The Orioles weren’t in on them, making me believe that their second base situation is cloudy given the uncertain health of Brian Roberts.
It’s going to be hard to lure a starting second base type to Baltimore if there’s a chance Roberts will be healthy. But the Orioles don’t want to make that assumption and then have no Plan B if he again struggles with his concussion symptoms. The Orioles ideally would like Robert Andino to be a super-sub instead of being stuck at one position.
When I asked Duquette about that situation, he said, “Second base is something to keep an eye on.”
A Baltimore native, 
Comments
Boy, it really sounds like we're making a splash at these meetings! Duquette is a yes-man for Angelos.
The Orioles won't so much as sniff the post-season for at least another 5, probably 10 years.
Posted by: Groundskeeper | November 16, 2011 7:34 AM
Dan,
Has there been any talk of the O's looking to sign a back of the Bullpen type and then moving Johnson to the rotation?
Seems to me that the number and quality of FA starters available makes it tough for the O's to come away with a front of the rotation type. Johnson could be that guy, and FA relievers seem to be more plentiful then starters.
I could see Pudge in an O's uni, he's still a good defensive catcher, but I'd say no to Varitek or Posada.
Another question, is there any talk of Roberts filling the DH role? It's been two years since he's played much, would the O's consider it as a way to protect him from himself in the field? At least in STing?
Since the goal is to develop minor league talent to the big club, I could see having Adams and Andino battle it out in spring training at 2nd. Roberts could always be on hand if he makes it through the spring healthy.
Time to see if Adams' skills make him a ML second baseman, by bringing him to the majors it also gives Miclat a chance to play every day at Norfolk. He seemed to show excellent leadoff skills at Bowie last year. The O's also have Schoop who will probably start at Frederick, but be in line to move up to Bowie during the year if he plays well.
2nd base could be the one position that the O's actually have some organizational depth.
Your thoughts?
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Each one of the 2Bman you mentioned has some flaws. But we won't really know until they get an extended look at the big-league level. Adams has work to do defensively and with his concentration if he hopes to be an everyday big leaguer. I dont think Roberts as a DH is the plan for 2012, but I'm sure it has been kicked around. That could re-emerge this season depending on his health. A free-agent closer does not seem to be in the plans, but the Orioles are always looking to better their bullpen.
Posted by: MountainFan | November 16, 2011 9:11 AM
The GM meetings just started. Duquette is still probably wearing the same suit he had on in his welcome to Boston, I mean, Baltimore, press conference. Winter meetings are a ways off and that's where the real action takes place. Can we table the cyncism, the "What, we're 17 minutes into the GM meetings and Duquette hasn't signed Justin Verlander, Prince Fielder, the reincarnation of Babe Ruth and the entire 1927 Yankees yet?? Gee, more of the same, insert-lame-Angelos-crack-here" comments, for gosh sakes? Sheez...
Posted by: maxmorf | November 16, 2011 9:45 AM
Duquette is a joke why do you think he was out of baseball since 2002 nobody wanted him he a retread yes man and we will be losers for some time to come.Even if you tried to sell your soul for a good team the devil would say sorry son cant help you with this one.
Posted by: dcrich | November 16, 2011 10:30 AM
Well....heres hoping we sign lefty SP Capuano and AAA FA backup catcher Wilkin Castillo, formerly from the Braves organization - great defense and arm.
High expectations and aspirations anymore? Well, no. But Capuano and Castillo would fit nicely in our roster for relatively cheap.
Posted by: Beaned1 | November 16, 2011 11:29 AM
Bringing in Pudge would be like having old Obi-Wan Kenobi following arouns Luke Skywalker. Heck, keep him around for his 3000th hit and sell some more tickets.
This team needs to be more consistent. They have the offensive talent, they need consistency. That is on the skipper this year. Can't have the historically bad swoons and slumps of the past.
Most importantly, how do the O's replace Jaskubauskaksaskas this year?
Posted by: SHAMROCK | November 16, 2011 11:41 AM
maxmorf -
Here you go:
"The success of the Orioles' offseason hinges, in large part, on their ability to add to the pitching staff. But at the General Manager Meetings in Milwaukee today, newly-appointed GM Dan Duquette suggested he'll let the market develop before obtaining pitching reinforcements.
'Everybody else is chasing it, too,' Duquette told MLBTR. 'We have to wait for the sharks to feed and then we'll wait to see what's left over.'"
That's from MLBTR. Sound familiar?
And, Dan, what's this crap about filling out the bench? That's Duquette's first priority?
Seriously? The bench? You can start thinking about the bench when you have a left fielder, a second baseman, a third baseman and two or three starting pitchers.
This is exactly what I thought was going to happen. More of the same.
Not a chance of signing a top free agent.
Sitting back and waiting for other teams to fill their needs before we even think about filling ours.
Expecting the young pitchers who haven't been able to lead us to respectability thus far lead us to respectability next year.
And, before you know it, it's the end of December...
The first tier names are off the board. So are the second and third tier names. And the Orioles are left scraping the gunk off the bottom of the barrel, trying to sell it to fans as "improvement".
Can't wait!
PS - If Duquette were to prove me wrong, I would be the happiest person on the face of the earth.
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I guess the thought is to get the second tier before they get stuck with the gunk on the bottom. But I've been preaching to you, NB, I don't see any major free agents here this offseason. Would be majorly surprised if that happened. At least you can't say I ever got your hopes up.
Posted by: not brooks | November 16, 2011 12:10 PM
I'm all for giving the guy a chance, but is it just me, or does the Duke sound like a Magic 8-Ball? "Could Be" "Keep an eye on it" "All signs point to Yes" C'mon dude. Sound off like you've got a pair in your pants.
Posted by: JohnBoy | November 16, 2011 12:15 PM
Hopefully, Duquette is using this backup catcher bs as a smokescrean for what he's really trying to do. Otherwise, he's nothing but a joke for a GM - or whatever title Angelos gave him.
Really, if their biggest acquisition this offseason is a backup catcher and more utility caliber players, anyone who buys a ticket to an O's game next year is a chump.
Posted by: Ruzious | November 16, 2011 1:23 PM
If they are not going to be aggressive this offseason - which sadly seems reasonable - than this offseason is all about one thing: Come to a decision on Adam Jones, and either trade him or lock him up.
I would prefer to lock him up and to start aggressively pushing towards competition in 2013/2014. However, that requires spending free agent dollars on difference makers, and if they can't see themselves doing that, they need to trade Jones now so that Bundy/Machado can come up in 2013/2014 with other young studs, and we can try to go the TB route.
Posted by: King of the Donkeys | November 16, 2011 1:38 PM
We should be trading Jones. And a young pitcher for a starter and two talented prospects. ( Insert Hamels and a long term contract). The kind of starter we need to go with the others. Sign two second tier free agents with sticks. Do not worry about what posotion they play just good bats. And start the season from here.
Posted by: Birdman | November 16, 2011 1:45 PM
"Duquette is a joke why do you think he was out of baseball since 2002 nobody wanted him he a retread yes man and we will be losers for some time to come. Even if you tried to sell your soul for a good team the devil would say sorry son cant help you with this one."
Really, dcrich? I’m not sure where Duquette is at these days, but the guy made the Expos into one of the most dominant teams in the majors, then revamped the Sox and set them up as a perennial playoff team and WS champ.
Would I like to see a little more aggression? Yes, but I understand the hesitation and the deliberate approach. The O’s need a serious overhaul of their player development first and foremost, and by all accounts, that’s Duquette’s forte. How about you give him a little more than 2 weeks to get things moving in a different direction?
Posted by: Christopher | November 16, 2011 2:40 PM
Dan,
I don't see the O's going big in free agency either. I do think a backup catcher and utility player with some speed is needed. I was curious why you don't see Andino as the everyday guy at 2B? I thought he got better and better with more plying time and quite honestly, I am not impressed with the 2B out there who are FA's.
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I could see it happening and I think Robert was one of the most (only) pleasant developments of 201l. But I think the ideal scenario is for Andino to be a super-sub in 2012, allowing him to fill in at SS if Hardy gets hurt or second if Roberts can't play or third base if Davis washes out. They'd like for him to be insurance, and not the absolute starter when spring training/season begins.
Posted by: Birdland Todd | November 16, 2011 6:57 PM
I doubt any player wants to be a sub, most would rather be stuck in one position. If no moves are made I'd put a rookie at 2nd and Andino at 3rd, and hope beyond hope that Reynolds screws up 20-30% less than last year.
Posted by: DSC | November 16, 2011 8:56 PM