Struggling to fill gaps in the lineup and pitching staff

It was a slow news day yesterday when the final blog entry pertained to outfielder Xavier Avery. I'm fine with the signing because it brings an element of speed into the organization and it's a minor league deal. The Orioles need to fill out the roster at Triple-A Norfolk and there's nothing wrong with taking a look at him in spring training.

It just isn't an impact signing and it has nothing to do with Hyun-soo Kim's physical.

I guess we're easing into the holidays.

If the Chris Davis saga drags into January, it's because he's comfortable in letting agent Scott Boras call the shots. Boras is confident, of course, that he'll find a team willing to offer more than $150 million - a total, as I keep writing, that's influenced by deferred money.

As long as Davis doesn't lose patience, he's going to remain on the market and risk having the Orioles spend their money elsewhere. It's like a game of chicken and I don't see either side backing down unless Davis insists that Boras get a deal done to keep him in Baltimore.

I understand that it's difficult to separate reports from rumors and know exactly which ones are coming from legitimate sources, but any other team linked to Davis needs to be willing to spend more than $150 million and have an actual need for a first baseman. Making the connection to Davis based entirely on the position and his left-handed bat is faulty.

Davis isn't going to sign with a team that views him as an everyday right fielder unless the amount of money on the table actually breaks the table and turns it into kindling.

I had to turn in a projected lineup yesterday to one of the national publications, with changes allowed until the first week of January. The Orioles tend to do a lot of their business closer to spring training, which presents an annual challenge for me.

For instance, who's playing right field if the season starts today? Who's the designated hitter? Who's in the rotation besides Chris Tillman, Ubaldo Jimenez, Miguel Gonzalez and Kevin Gausman?

There's also the matter of the bench, which will include backup catcher Caleb Joseph and infielder Ryan Flaherty, leaving two more spots to be filled.

I have Kim in left field due to projections that his arm isn't suited for right. Mark Trumbo is at first base while Davis makes up his mind. Right field could be occupied by Nolan Reimold, L.J. Hoes, Dariel Alvarez, Henry Urrutia or Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard based on 40-man roster choices.

I stuck Jimmy Paredes at designated hitter, but he's out of options and far from a certainty to break camp with the team. He's been playing right field in winter ball, which doesn't alter my opinion that he's better suited for DH.

One alternative is to make Trumbo the right fielder or DH and put Christian Walker or Trey Mancini at first base. Walker could be a trade chip, however, and Mancini would benefit from at-bats in Triple-A. Again, it's not an ideal solution, but it's Dec. 22.

Vance Worley is inserted into my rotation, but that's a temporary fix. Executive vice president Dan Duquette is making an aggressive play for right-hander Yovani Gallardo and the Orioles apparently are willing to give left-hander Scott Kazmir a three-year deal. They also remain in trade talks.

The rest of the bench can't be constructed without knowing who's really in right field, at first base and serving as designated hitter. Does Rickard stick as a Rule 5? Are Reimold and Paredes placed in reserve roles if they make the team?

The bullpen figures to include closer Zach Britton, set-up man Darren O'Day, right-handers Brad Brach and Mychal Givens, and left-hander Brian Matusz. Givens has options, though, and his flexibility could work against him if he struggles in spring training and the Orioles are faced with a roster crunch.

One example is Chaz Roe, who can't be sent down without passing through waivers. He registered a 2.67 ERA and 1.111 WHIP in 20 appearances in the first half and 6.91 ERA and 2.163 WHIP in 16 appearances in the second half. He went on the disabled list Aug. 10 with right shoulder tendinitis.

Dylan Bundy also is out of options, making him a prime candidate for the bullpen if he avoids the disabled list. I've got him joining Roe in the last two spots, but I easily could go in a few other directions.

Manager Buck Showalter likes having left-hander T.J. McFarland as the long man backing up the right-handed starters. However, he could be optioned and perhaps go into Triple-A Norfolk's rotation, as he's done in the past. Mike Wright could be used as a power arm in the Orioles bullpen, but there are enough people in the organization who think he has a future as a starter and would prefer keeping him on a five-day schedule.

Others in the equation on Dec. 22 include right-handers Tyler Wilson, Oliver Drake and Andrew Triggs, and left-handers Chris Jones, Chris Lee and C.J. Riefenhauser. Jason Garcia is expected to begin the season at Double-A Bowie.

The 40-man roster is full and someone will be removed to create room for Kim once his signing actually becomes official, which may not happen before Wednesday.