Duquette: "Still looking for opportunities to build the club"

The Orioles maintained interest in free agent outfielder Ben Revere this winter, engaging again in talks with his representative. However, there doesn't appear to be a financial fit and Revere is expected to sign with another team - perhaps as early as today.

The Nationals non-tendered Revere after he batted .217/.260/.300 in 103 games, but he hit .306/.342/.377 in 2015 with the Phillies and Blue Jays. A strained oblique in April pretty much ruined his final season in D.C.

Revere, 28, bats from the left side and can play all three outfield positions. He would have been a nice fit in right field and atop the order.

Meanwhile, executive vice president Dan Duquette continues his efforts to plug the hole in right field. That's just one remaining order of business. A decision must be made regarding designated hitter and another reliever could be added to the bullpen.

"We're still looking for opportunities to build the club," Duquette said. "We're not done. We like some of the things that we did. Adding a catcher and the two young (Rule 5) outfielders. But we're still trying to build our ballclub."

Business tends to slow for everyone between Christmas and New Year's, and Duquette indicated that he isn't particularly close to making another move.

"I don't have anything that's imminent," he said.

"We've got a lot of things that are percolating, if you will, but we're not ready to pour the cup of coffee."

Duquette remains open to signing a free agent or making a trade. Whatever comes first.

"We're looking at all of them," he said. "We're looking at trades, signings, international signings. There are still some players on the market that could help the club."

The Orioles still seem more likely to add a reliever than a starter. Brad Brach was a popular target at the Winter Meetings and nothing has changed since the Orioles left National Harbor.

"We have some pretty good depth to our rotation and there's a lot of interest in our relief pitchers on the trade market," Duquette said.

Negotiations have stalled with Mark Trumbo's agent. I'm told again that talks have quieted, but they could pick up again at a later date. The Orioles aren't closing that door.

The Orioles also are focused on reaching agreements on new contracts with their arbitration-eligible players. There's in-house business to do, as well.

"We are preparing our offers to try to sign some players that are arbitration eligibles and in the process of preparing our offers, we also prepare the cases in the event that we're not able to negotiate a contract," Duquette said. "So we're in the process of doing both of those things right now."

There's nothing new to report on the assistant hitting coach, with Duquette saying, "We have some more work to do on that."

I sought further confirmation that Lenny Harris and Howie Clark are two candidates and Duquette replied, "Those are some good names."

Duquette said the hiring of a minor league pitching coordinator is still "in process."

"We're still working on that," he said.

John Wasdin is expected to replace Rick Peterson, who held the title of director of pitching development for the past five seasons. However, Wasdin would be named minor league pitching coordinator.

"It would probably be a coordinator's position," Duquette said. "It probably wouldn't be a director's position."