From the lobby ...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - With no news to report and another hour remaining before executive vice president Dan Duquette meets with reporters, I decided to flip through my notebook and pass along the latest musings from the hotel lobby. Keep in mind that things change quickly. A few of these nuggets were unearthed much earlier in the day - long before I began stalking agent Scott Boras. * The Orioles met with Shin-Soo Choo's representatives on the first day of the meetings, according to a baseball official. However, no one here seems convinced that the Orioles will take on a contract of that size. * The market for Choo shrunk a little more today after the Mariners traded for Logan Morrison. The Orioles discussed Morrison as a possibility in left field, but their reported interest was exaggerated. From what I've been told, they weren't making a strong push for him. * The Reds put second baseman Brandon Phillips back on the trade market. The Orioles have looked into it, but their reluctance to part with young pitching prospects is an issue. * More Phillips: A scout in another organization thinks the Orioles should package Double-A left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez in a deal for Phillips, saying it's wise to take the established player, especially one who would bring "a different energy" to the club. * The Orioles still hadn't made an offer to a free agent closer this morning. They remain linked to former Indians reliever Chris Perez, but I wouldn't go too far down that road, as Andy MacPhail used to tell reporters. Unless I'm being led astray, it appears that he's slotted below other options, including Grant Balfour and John Axford. * A.J. Burnett still hasn't decided whether he wants to pitch in 2014, which puts the Pirates in a bind. I've heard that the Orioles reached out to his agent. Burnett lives in Monkton, Md., and likely would take a one-year deal. The club views him as a logical fit. * Former Orioles second baseman Jerry Hairston retired today and joined the Dodgers broadcast team. At least one person in the Orioles organization had Hairston on his early list of free agent options. It would have been a nice "baseball circle of life" moment, especially if he replaced Brian Roberts at second base.