O's Dan Duquette on trades versus free agency, a Bundy update and more

NASHVILLE - For Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette, the first official day of the Winter Meetings produced an active day of talking to player agents and other teams in trade discussions - all of which he thinks could soon lead to additions for the Orioles.

Duquette discussed this during a one-on-one video interview with MASNsports.com.

"We did have a lot of talks," he said. "We're making some progress on adding to our pitching staff. I think we have a better idea where we can add. And hopefully we'll be able to add some people possibly by the end of the week, first of next week.

"Then we had a couple of trade discussions where we were working to see if we could add a pitcher through a trade. That didn't come to fruition, but we're still working on it."

At this point, is it more likely that something could happen via free agency or a trade?

"Well, there are a number of players on the market that we can just sign," Duquette said. "And we're going to sign some of those players. We always like to add. In a trade, you have to subtract something and we're always looking to add. So there are some players that we can sign to add to the organization without giving up players in a trade."

Duquette provided an update on Dylan Bundy, the right-hander rated by Baseball America as the club's top prospect every year since 2011. After pitching in two games in the Arizona Fall League, Bundy was scratched from a third outing by forearm stiffness.

"Dylan is doing fine," he said. "I believe when he gets to spring training, he'll be 100 percent and he'll be able to compete for a spot on our club. He's got great talent and he's going to need to show that he can be physically dependable to help the team. This is a big year for him."

Duquette threw some praise in Tanner Scott's direction today. The 21-year-old left-hander was named to the Top Prospects team this afternoon by the Arizona Fall League. Scott, whose fastball has been recorded touching 100 mph, went 0-1 with an ERA of 2.00 in eight games for Peoria in the AFL. Over nine innings, he walked five and fanned 10.

"Tanner Scott, here is a young kid with a terrific arm," Duquette said. "Our scouts did a nice job identifying his talent, to be able to pick him up in the sixth round a year ago. The guy throws 100 mph. There are probably five left-handers in the business that can throw that hard. He is just 21. He took a nice step out in Arizona and clearly showed that he had excellent talent. He could come quick, given his ability and the big demand for pitching."

Duquette said other clubs have sought to acquire some of the Orioles' young pitchers in trade talks. No doubt Scott's name has come up after his strong AFL performance. Most teams send some of their top pro scouts to watch the AFL. The kid's fastball is a secret no more.