What's happening this week?

We've started a new week and the Orioles are dealing with the same old issues.

They want a left-handed hitting outfielder. No, seriously, it's in all the blogs and papers. And the club is trying to conduct business while the Blue Jays pursue Dan Duquette like it's last call at a bar and Major League Baseball is serving as wing man.

The Jays are ignoring the ring on Duquette's finger and the Orioles don't like it.

This is tampering, right? They reached out to him without permission from the Orioles. That can get you slapped in a bar, or so I've heard, but apparently not in baseball.

I suppose it's up to the Orioles to file a grievance if they feel strongly about it, but we're not at that point. We've just got managing partner Peter G. Angelos insisting again that Duquette isn't going anywhere while under contract, various members of the organization growing more uncomfortable with the situation, and the Orioles memorizing the Jays' 25- and 40-man rosters and discussing compensation in case Angelos relents.

Manager Buck Showalter returns to Baltimore this week and is scheduled to meet with Angelos, but that's the norm when he's in town during the offseason. He wants to go over some ideas related to Camden Yards and Ed Smith Stadium. It has nothing to do with Duquette, but the topic figures to come up.

Oh, to be a fly on the wall.

The Duquette story broke on Dec. 7 during our flight to San Diego for the Winter Meetings. Check today's date. This has gone on way too long.

It's fascinating how much Duquette's stock has risen since the Orioles hired him in November 2011. He was out of baseball for 10 years. He wasn't their first choice. They were ripped to shreds by the national media, accused again of being so dysfunctional that they couldn't even get this one right.

Hit the fast-forward button and you'll find that Duquette is the Jays' first choice to become their new president and CEO.

Baseball is a funny game, except the Orioles don't consider this to be a laughing matter.

I'm predicting that the Orioles sign pitcher Steve Johnson to a minor league contract this week with an invitation to spring training.

Johnson's right shoulder has been pain-free while he plays catch. Too bad he didn't reach agreement with the Orioles before their minicamp so Showalter, pitching coach Dave Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti could check him out.

Does Johnson continue to start or shift to the bullpen as a multi-inning reliever like Brad Brach or a right-handed version of T.J. McFarland?

Outfielder Nolan Reimold could make a decision this week. The Orioles are willing to sign him to a minor league deal, but they have competition. He'd naturally prefer a spot on the 40-man roster.

The Phillies and Indians are in the mix. The White Sox and Giants also have expressed interest this winter.

The Orioles still aren't ready to announce their minor league staffs due to the opening at Single-A Frederick. They need a field coach to replace Torre Tyson and the process is taking longer than anticipated.