Andrew Stetka: Chris Davis could prove to be O's most valuable free agent

As the Orioles continue to carry about a 1 percent chance to make the postseason this year, they also are approaching one of the more important offseasons in their recent history. There are plenty of big decisions to be made as the games start to dwindle. While the O's won't completely give up on the prospect of making the playoffs, reality will eventually set in and I have a feeling some players from the minors will begin to see playing time.

Perhaps one of the biggest decisions the O's will be left to make this winter surrounds Chris Davis and his impending free agency. There's no doubt that Davis is a large part of what the Orioles do offensively, but I question whether the bats have really been the issue. Orioles starters carry one of the worst ERAs this season, and while there have been some bright spots in the rotation, it's clearly been one of the more inconsistent units on the team. That said, the Orioles would clearly have much lower power numbers offensively without Davis' input this season. The Birds are a top-5 club in home runs, but without Davis' MLB-best 40, they'd be middle of the pack.

First base seems to have been locked down for a few years in Baltimore, but things could change quickly going into 2016. If Davis isn't back, there are a few much cheaper options that could replace him.

Steve Pearce would be the first, perhaps most obvious option. Pearce is also a free agent, but would cost far less to bring back next season. He's also shown loyalty to the team in the past, returning after he was released in a roster crunch rather than taking an offer from another club. Pearce has obviously had a dismal offensive season, especially when compared to his 2014 campaign. He's also no spring chicken at 32 years old. But Pearce also provides the team the ability to play other positions. He's suitable in the corner outfield spots and has even played some second base this season when pressed into duty.

Many fans are asking to see more out of Christian Walker in the month of September, and that very well may happen once Norfolk's season wraps up. Walker is a promising young prospect, but he's really just that at this point, a prospect. He's had merely a cup of coffee in the big leagues, including earlier this year. Walker has put up decent numbers in the minors, but nothing that is eye-popping enough to force the O's to get him up to contribute. The South Carolina product could be in line to start next season at first base if Davis isn't back, but he's really done nothing to earn the job aside from being the starter with the Tides.

The prospect that has put up the numbers that raise eyebrows this season is Trey Mancini. The Bowie first baseman has posted a monster line during his time in the Eastern League, improving upon big numbers he put up earlier in the year in Frederick. Mancini is just 23 and on the short list for many postseason accolades, including the team's Minor League Player of the Year award. Mancini has made a big splash this season, coming from virtually nowhere, but like Walker, he remains just a prospect. There's no guarantee with any of them.

Solving the 2016 first base question is merely just one of many that Dan Duquette will be pressed with this offseason. As I mentioned, the rotation is a large question mark, especially with Wei-Yin Chen's pending free agency. There's going to be much debate about whether or not to even try to retain Matt Wieters or just push forward with Caleb Joseph as the catcher as well. Duquette will also be forced into fixing the problem that he failed to address last offseason, the corner outfield.

First base could look like a glaring hole next season though, especially if Davis continues to produce the power numbers like he has recently. Davis' potential departure could leave another gaping hole, similar to the one left by Nelson Cruz after last year. If he doesn't return, someone will have to step into that role or the O's power offense that has been a staple over the last few seasons could slide back to the middle of the pack and start looking more average than ever.

Andrew Stetka blogs about the Orioles for Eutaw Street Report. Follow him on Twitter: @AStetka. His thoughts on the O's appear here as part of MASNsports.com's continuing commitment to welcome guest bloggers to our little corner of cyberspace. All opinions expressed are those of the guest bloggers, who are not employed by MASNsports.com but are just as passionate about their baseball as our roster of writers.