Do Orioles react to Sale news?

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - If you're counting on Dan Duquette to hit the panic button or go on a signing/trading rampage to counter what a division rival did at the Winter Meetings, I need to reintroduce you to the Orioles' executive vice president of baseball operations.

This isn't how he operates.

This isn't how former executive Andy MacPhail operated.

The Orioles walked into the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center with a plan in place, though it's always wise to remain flexible. They wanted a right fielder and a veteran catcher. They wanted a left-handed bat. They wanted to improve their pitching depth. They wanted to take a run or two at re-signing Mark Trumbo.

The Red Sox pulled off a blockbuster trade today for White Sox left-hander Chris Sale by intercepting him from the Nationals. The only thing missing was president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski high-stepping like Deion Sanders.

Duquette isn't going to respond by going to ownership for approval to sign the top available pitchers and hitters on the market. It may seem like a chess match, but Duquette isn't going to counter someone else's moves and pretend there isn't a limit on spending with big raises due so many players in arbitration. He isn't going to toss the best young players and prospects on the table and open for business.

It just doesn't work that way in Baltimore. Or at National Harbor.

Chris Sale is 2-2 with a 3.41 ERA in 11 career games against the Orioles and 2-1 with 2.49 ERA in seven games at Camden Yards. He's going to be a pain with additional opportunities to face them within the division. And a club that's struggled to hit left-handers is receiving another unwanted challenge.

The Orioles ranked 29th in the majors this year with a .234 average against southpaws, and the Red Sox could trot out four of them in Sale, David Price, Drew Pomeranz and Eduardo Rodriguez. They also have right-handers Rick Porcello, this year's American League Cy Young Award winner, and knuckleballer Steven Wright.

Six starters for five spots? It's a thing these days.

It's a really big thing in Boston.

Maybe changes in the roster will improve the average. Trumbo batted .173 against left-handers, Steve Pearce .179 (small sample size), Nolan Reimold .183 and Matt Wieters .229. Chris Davis hit .216 and Adam Jones hit .218, and we know they're coming back.

The Orioles are hunting for a left-handed bat. They may need a few righties just to combat the Red Sox - if they're inclined to make a reactionary move.