Should Orioles consider dealing Norris?

Six starters for five spots in the rotation.

The math still hasn't changed, no matter how often I check the figures. No matter how often I use the calculator on my iPhone. No matter how often I remove my shoes and count on my own.

The Orioles are always in the market for pitching, but they most certainly will listen to offers for their starters. Of course, that includes Kevin Gausman. No one is untouchable. But they'd have to be blown away by a proposal.

It would have to be so obscene, it would come with an X-rating.

I've mentioned how Bud Norris is a potential trade candidate due to his pending raise in arbitration. MLBTradeRumors.com projects that his salary will jump from $5.3 million to $8.7 million.

Norris' contract is easier to move than the one belonging to Ubaldo Jimenez that includes three more years and almost $39 million. And Norris, who turns 30 in March, was much more effective for the Orioles, going 15-8 with 3.65 ERA in 28 starts and shutting out the Tigers on two hits over 6 1/3 innings in Game 3 of the American League Division Series.

Norris set a career-high in wins - his previous best was 10 - and career-lows in ERA, WHIP (1.22) and walks per nine innings (2.8.) His strikeouts per nine innings dipped from a career-high 10.1 in 2013 to 7.6, but manager Buck Showalter will gladly take the reduction in walks and let his defense assist Norris with balls put in play.

Other teams in the division took note that Norris was 9-1 with a 2.85 ERA in 14 starts against the AL East. The Orioles went 13-1 in those games.

So why entertain the notion of trading Bud-man?

The Orioles could reallocate their funds, as they like to say, while bracing for the hefty raises due first-time arbitration-eligibles Chris Tillman, Zach Britton and Miguel Gonzalez. Norris is a free agent following the 2015 season. The Orioles have six starters for five spots in the rotation (#math).

Trust me, they'd deal Jimenez if they didn't have to eat a huge chunk of his contract or take on an undesirable contract in return, though the latter scenario could play out. FOXSports.com reported yesterday that the Orioles "may consider" moving Norris and are drawing "moderate" interest in Jimenez.

It never hurts to listen.

It could hurt the rotation to lose Norris. I'm on record as saying I love the attitude that he brings to the staff. He's aggressive, he's a gamer and he's not afraid to ruffle a few feathers in the opposing dugout.

Norris' 14 hit batters were a career-high and tied Jeremy Guthrie and R.A. Dickey for the American League lead. He's not aiming at guys, but he's not afraid to show 'em who's boss. If they don't like it, that's too bad. He's not going to change his approach, no matter how loud they chirp at him.

Norris was ejected in the eighth inning of a May 13 game at Camden Yards after drilling the Tigers' Torii Hunter in the ribs following an Ian Kinsler home run. Hunter kept yelling, "I'm going to whoop your (butt)." Norris never backed down and glared at Hunter on his way to the dugout, which set off Hunter again.

"Before he got in the dugout, he looked back and he said something, staring at me and saying something," Hunter said. "I don't know. I'm too old for that, you know? He's picking on the old guy. Really? I probably have more hits than he has days in his life."

That's not accurate (#math).

Norris offered an explanation following a 4-1 loss.

"I threw a first-pitch slider," Norris said. "He took a really aggressive hack at it, so I felt he was on my slider. Tried to throw a four-seam fastball in and it kind of got going in on me. Late in the game, eighth inning, 115 pitches or whatever it may be.

"I'm sorry he didn't appreciate it, but I'm trying to throw a ball over the plate to get an out. This is a tough loss for us and I'm obviously a little wound up about it. Trying to pitch deep in the game and help my team win.

"He didn't like it and he's entitled to his opinion, but I think he did overreact a bit. I didn't like the first swing he took on my slider, so I wasn't going to the outer half of the plate again. Trying to throw a four-seamer in there. He didn't like it. Guess he did overreact if that's the way he feels."

Norris fields his position well, which is especially important to Showalter, and he also knows how to field questions after an ejection, which is important to reporters.

Norris' value has never been higher. The same will be true of his salary. What should the Orioles do about it?