Dan Duquette: "Sometimes you need patience and sometimes you've got to move"

NASHVILLE - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette will board his flight home today with a Rule 5 pick and optimism that more players will be added in the coming days.

Duquette isn't done after choosing outfielder Joey Rickard from the Rays in the Rule 5.

"I always like to try to get the core of the team before Christmas, but it doesn't always work that way," he said. "It doesn't always work that way to get the club set up for the holidays. A couple years ago, remember we got to the start of spring training and then added the pitcher (Ubaldo) Jimenez and then we added Nelson Cruz. So it doesn't always work that way, but it's better if you can put your building blocks in place before the holidays. We've got some things to follow up and get our team tuned up.

"We're going to have a good ballclub. I can see our team coming together. Discussions we had internally were very productive. I can see it coming together."

What about later today?

"Maybe by the end of the week and then hopefully next week," Duquette said. "Our guys have been working pretty hard down here."

Duquette won't address rumors that the Orioles increased their offer to first baseman Chris Davis, but a source insisted that nothing has changed. The offer remains seven years for approximately $150 million, and the Orioles are prepared to move away from Davis.

The can revisit negotiations. They can keep the lines of communication open with agent Scott Boras. But they won't ignore other options.

"We don't have any comment on the rumors. Lot of rumors out there," Duquette said.

"Lot of interest, but now is the time of the year to buckle down and for people to make choices, what they are going to do with their teams and for players to choose what players they are going to play for. I believe we're making a little progress here on figuring out how we are going to put our team together this year.

"Sometimes you need patience and sometimes you've got to move. We're moving on the things we can move on. I can see our team being pretty good next year."

The need for a left-handed bat intensifies if the Orioles can't re-sign Davis, but they remain in the mix for Justin Upton. They also like Alex Gordon and have talked to Boras about Pedro Alvarez and Denard Span.

Reliever Darren O'Day took his physical and the Orioles are getting close to making his signing official.

"We have a couple things to work on, but we're making good progress on that," Duquette said. "Hopefully we can get that resolved by the weekend."

Check Steve Melewski's blog for Duquette's comments on Rickard.