Dan Duquette discusses attempts to make deals and much more

NASHVILLE - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette focused mostly on the free agent market today while searching for a left-handed bat and the trade market while searching for starting pitchers.

With the cost of arms these days, the Orioles are hoping to fill a hole in the rotation and improve their depth by dealing with other clubs. Of course, the challenge is finding a match.

"We made a little progress today on the market," Duquette said from his suite at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. "We have been shopping to get some balance to our lineup, so we got a little clarity on the market in regard to left-handed hitters. We also met with two teams on trade discussions, and we're getting a little closer to decision time for adding left-handed hitters to our ballclub.

"Did a little bit more work on the Rule 5 draft and we sent out a couple trade proposals, and we're still looking for left-handed hitters, we're looking for outfielders and we're looking to add to our pitching."

Duquette then confirmed that the trade discussions centered on pitching.

Asked how many starters he wants, Duquette replied, "We'd be happy if we could add one and then some depth to the rotation.

"A couple years ago we were able to pick up Miguel Gonzalez on a minor league deal. He was a rehab pitcher and then emerged in the big leagues. Something like that. Or a pitcher who's looking for a bounceback year. Those are always good players to sign this time of the year."

The Orioles also are counting on their returning starters to produce better results. Otherwise, the rest won't matter.

"Some of those guys have pitched better in their careers," Duquette said. "There are a couple young guys there who could pitch better than they have, getting their feet on the ground. And then we're going to try to keep our bullpen strong and strengthen that."

The door isn't closed on left-hander Wei-Yin Chen, but don't try to poke your fingers inside or you're liable to lose them.

"Chen had some good years with the team and we made our interest clear in having Chen come back," Duquette said, "but I'm not sure the market will allow that."

Duquette met this afternoon with agent Scott Boras, but there wasn't much to update regarding negotiations with first baseman Chris Davis.

"No, not really," Duquette said. "We always keep the dialogue ongoing, but there's nothing new, really."

As I've written, the clock is ticking on Davis. The Orioles can't wait around much longer.

"I think for the clubs and the players, you have to decide at some point where you're going to play ball and who's going to be on your team," Duquette said. "The Winter Meetings is one of the threshold times for players to decide where they're going to play and for the clubs to staff their teams. We're getting closer to decision time.

"I don't really know what the market is. I know that we're trying to add some left-handed hitters to our ballclub and we've been aggressive in pursuing a couple options, so we're going to have to make a choice pretty soon."

Can the Orioles re-sign Davis and still have the funds to sign an outfielder and a pitcher?

"I hope so," Duquette replied.

Asked whether there still would be room on the payroll for Davis if the Orioles acquired the left-handed hitters that they're checking out - specifically the outfielders - Duquette replied, "Maybe, maybe not."

The Orioles focused primarily on Davis while sitting down with Boras and stressed again their desire to keep him.

"We've made it clear," Duquette said.

Does he now have a clear idea of the market for Davis?

"We have a clear idea what the market is for Chris in Baltimore," Duquette replied. "That's clear."

The Orioles discussed Pedro Alvarez and Denard Span, who also are Boras clients, though Duquette wouldn't confirm names.

"We made it clear we're looking for left-handed hitters, so we're looking at all areas in the market that we think can help our team," Duquette said. "Trade, free agents, international market, Rule 5. We're looking at all the markets."

While Duquette is geared toward getting a pitcher via trade, he didn't say the odds were more favorable.

"The pitching market is moving quickly and there are a lot of teams chasing a few pitchers," he said.

Duquette again left open the possibility of the Orioles taking a pitcher in the Rule 5 draft despite perhaps having Dylan Bundy in their bullpen next season.

"We'll have to see how that develops," he said. "We're looking at some pitchers in the Rule 5 draft, so that's a good opportunity to add a player to your organization."

You can bank on the Orioles selecting someone in the Rule 5 draft, but Duquette would like to make a much bigger splash on the day leading into it.

"Maybe tomorrow," he said. "Hopefully, we'll have something tomorrow."