Heading to the Winter Meetings

The day has arrived. There's no turning back. I couldn't find anyone to lock me out, so it's impossible to avoid the madness of the annual Winter Meetings.

At least I can drive to the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. - technically Oxon Hill, but let's not quibble - rather than hop on a flight. You'll hear my tires screech about 20 minutes after Thursday morning's Rule 5 draft.

I'm packing an extra pair of sneakers for all of the rumor chasing. It's going to reach the usual level of ridiculous, with some big-ticket items attached to an Orioles team that's not inclined to make a splashy move.

I wanted to get a head start on one rumor, but it's a moot point with the Dodgers reportedly having a three-year agreement in place with left-hander Rich Hill. The Orioles weren't in on Hill, according to a source. It didn't make much sense, considering that they're looking for pitching depth and Hill didn't fit the description.

Any outfielder capable of playing right field will be linked to the Orioles. All the better if he can hit atop the order and he bats from the left side.

Agent Scott Boras' mosh pit will be filled with questions regarding catcher Matt Wieters' market, which appeared to further shrink like a frightened turtle with the Nationals trading for Derek Norris and re-signing Jose Lobaton to avoid arbitration. They're deep at the position when also factoring in their minor league system.

Not so fast. There's a sense in the industry that the Nationals will pursue Wieters and flip Norris if they get him. Norris is a nice fallback option. It's the proactive approach.

The Diamondbacks non-tendered Welington Castillo, giving teams in the market for a catcher another item on the shelf. The Orioles have definite interest in him and are expected to meet with his agent this week.

Castillo figures to come off the board quickly. Teams already were lining up, with the Rays reportedly among them.

(For selfish purposes, I want the freedom to make as many beef Welington jokes as this blog will hold.)

Welington has some pop, with 31 home runs over the past two seasons. He posted a .322 on-base percentage this year that would have ranked fourth among Orioles regulars.

I've heard mixed reviews on his work behind the plate, especially putting down fingers, as the kids say. He threw out 38 percent of runners attempting to steal this year, but also had 10 passed balls, tied for most in the National League.

As I wrote a few days ago, the Orioles seem willing to offer two years to a veteran catcher. He doesn't have to be a one-year bridge to Chance Sisco. They still like Nick Hundley, who's going to get two years again, but the money may not be right for them.

The Nats non-tendered outfielder Ben Revere and he should be on the Orioles' radar. The guy is right in their wheelhouse, coming off a poor year and in need of a bounceback season to reestablish his value on the free agent market.

The Orioles tried in the past to acquire him before settling for Gerardo Parra.

He would just need to pass the Orioles' physical, and I'm not sure he could swim across the Chesapeake Bay with weights tied to his back.

But seriously ...

The Rockies are the team continually linked to Mark Trumbo, who would hit 600-foot home runs at Coors Field. The Orioles want to re-sign him, but may decide that the money required to do so could be spread out to fill other needs. And they seem ready to hand at least partial DH duties to Trey Mancini, with Pedro Alvarez still in the picture.

You can't spell "platoon" without Alvarez. (This could explain why I always lose at Scrabble.)

With the Orioles wanting pitching depth, I wonder whether they'd make a play for former Pirates left-hander Jeff Locke, who also was non-tendered on Friday.

Maybe I'll start that rumor in the hotel lobby.