Duquette recaps GM meetings

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette is headed home after the general managers meetings in Boca Raton, Fla., with no additions to the roster, but lots of conversations that he hopes will lead to future transactions this winter.

In other words, it was the GM meetings. That's usually how it works.

"We met with several clubs to see where we might be compatible on the trade market," Duquette said this morning while heading to the airport. "And then we also met with several agency groups to see if there was some common ground on some free agents, so we got a better idea of the market. And we expressed directly to people that we were trying to add some outfielders and some pitching to our roster."

The shopping list obviously remains the same.

Duquette stayed busy despite the lack of moves.

"We met directly with probably 20 teams and we had some secondary talks with the other nine," Duquette said. "We had some face-to-face meetings with most of the clubs, and we got an idea who the clubs like and what some of our trade options might be."

Duquette won't talk about specific players, but the Orioles did reach out to catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia's representative. They're also focused on improving their depth behind the plate, especially if Matt Wieters leaves via free agency.

The Orioles still haven't heard whether Wieters is accepting or declining the $15.8 million qualifying offer. Agent Scott Boras will discuss it with him again on Friday before the 5 p.m. deadline.

"That's what the agency said," Duquette said. "They're going to talk tomorrow."

Duquette wasn't focused only on free agent targets from outside the organization. The Orioles still want to retain at least a few of their own, including first baseman Chris Davis and reliever Darren O'Day.

"We'll see," Duquette said. "We had some active discussions with free agents and with some other clubs."

O'Day has more suitors than suits and it probably isn't close. Several teams have been linked to him, including the world champion Royals, who don't have a glaring need for another bullpen arm.

Other clubs reportedly making a run at O'Day include the Dodgers, Tigers, Red Sox, Giants, Nationals and Cubs. He's in high demand and could land a four-year deal.

"It's always interesting when a free agent is going to sign with 24 other clubs," Duquette quipped.

So where does this leave the Orioles?

"Twenty-five," he replied.

The Orioles are continuing their search for an assistant hitting coach, with vice president of baseball operations Brady Anderson heavily involved in the process. They're lining up candidates for interviews.

"We're still in the job search process," Duquette said. "We've got some good ones."

Also, top pitching prospect Dylan Bundy will undergo a follow-up examination with Orioles physicians in Baltimore after being shut down in the Arizona Fall League due to a strained muscle in his right forearm.

Pressed for his level of concern, Duquette replied, "It sounds like a minor issue."

Hunter Harvey, the Orioles' first-round pick in the 2013 draft, remains shut down after experiencing tightness in his right elbow in the fall instructional league, but he's apparently making progress in his recovery.

"He's in a resting phase," Duquette said. "He's going to start throwing again later in November."

Note: Infielder Brandon Snyder, who appeared in 93 games at Double-A Bowie this season after signing a minor league deal in late April, announced on Twitter that he's joining the Braves organization.

Snyder was a minor league free agent after batting .278/.356/.467 with 26 doubles, two triples, 11 home runs and 52 RBIs with the Baysox.