A Winn-win for the Orioles

Since a few of you asked and I always try to please my readers - well, up to a certain point - I'm told the Orioles have had "light discussions only" regarding Oscar Salazar, who was designated for assignment by the Padres. I don't sense a lot of enthusiasm, but it's not like the idea was dismissed entirely. You know it's a slow news day when a non-roster spring training invite for Randy Winn stirs up conversation on this blog. You know it's a slow morning when I'm revisiting the topic. Actually, I'm hoping to report later today that pitcher Justin Duchscherer passed his physical and is being made available to the media in a conference call. Until then ... Randy Winn signed a minor league deal with a spring training invite. Winn is most interesting because he's the active leader in games played without a postseason appearance at 1,717 over 13 major league seasons. He won't be the guy to reverse the losing culture. Winn actually played for the Yankees last year - just not long enough. They released him on May 28 and he signed with the Cardinals a week later. The Cardinals always make the playoffs, right? Not in 2010. Winn batted a combined .239 with four homers and 25 RBIs last year. He's a career .284 hitter. Winn was the 58th pick in the 1997 expansion draft, going from the Marlins to the Devil Rays. He was once traded for Antonio Perez. Another time, he was traded for Jesse Foppert and Yorvit Torrealba. Winn's mostly worn No. 2 in his career, so he'll have to work out a trade with J.J. Hardy. But seriously, Winn is a long shot to make the club in spring training. He's a veteran who can play all three outfield positions. He's a nice insurance policy in case of injury. And yes, I've thought about how he could fit more easily if another outfielder is traded after the Orioles sign Vladimir Guerrero. You went there, too. Admit it. The Orioles didn't sign Winn to be the designated hitter while Luke Scott moves to left field. He'll be another player in camp who takes part in all the drills, gets some at-bats and probably gets reassigned near the end unless something completely unexpected happens (like a Nolan Reimold demotion.) So while we wait for Duchscherer's signing to become official, I'll ask the following: Which of the non-roster invitees most intrigues you, whether it's because he's a prospect or you think he could surprise everyone and make the club? Maybe both? Here's the list again: Right-handers Mitch Atkins, Ryan Drese, Armando Gabino, Wynn Pelzer, Raul Rivero and Josh Rupe; left-handers Mark Hendrickson and Clay Rapada; catchers Adam Donachie, Michel Hernandez and Caleb Joseph; outfielders Tyler Henson and Winn; and infielders Ryan Adams, Nick Green and Brendan Harris.