Is Colon a fit for Orioles?

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Orioles are interested in signing free-agent pitcher Bartolo Colon, according to multiple industry sources. Executive vice president Dan Duquette told reporters last night that he has "a couple offers out to some pitchers." It's not known whether Colon is on the list, but the Orioles apparently have spoken to his representative. That's the buzz in the lobby at the Swan and Dolphin Resort. Not an ear-piercing, drown-out-the-Christmas-music buzz, mind you, but it's audible. Colon, 40, makes sense to the Orioles because he won't require an expensive long-term contract. Duquette issued a warning of sorts last night when he told reporters, "If people are expecting the Orioles to go out and sign a significant pitcher, I think it's more realistic to look for good pitchers to come up through the farm system." In other words, no to Matt Garza and Ubaldo Jiménez. Colon went 18-6 with a 2.65 ERA in 30 starts and 190 1/3 innings with the Athletics this year. He's 189-128 with a 3.94 ERA over 16 major league seasons. Colon, who made $3 million this year, is 5-7 with a 3.33 ERA in 15 starts at Camden Yards. There's some baggage, of course. Colon tested positive for testosterone in August 2012, earning a 50-game suspension that made him more affordable to the Athletics. Sources say the Orioles are targeting other pitchers similar to Colon's profile (insert joke here). Here's the updated list of free-agent starters, courtesy of MLBTradeRumors: Alfredo Aceves (31) Bronson Arroyo (37) Dylan Axelrod (28) Scott Baker (32) Erik Bedard (35) Travis Blackley (31) A.J. Burnett (37) Chris Capuano (35) Bruce Chen (37) Tyler Cloyd (27) Bartolo Colon (41) Gavin Floyd (31) Jeff Francis (33) Freddy Garcia (37) Jon Garland (34) Matt Garza (30) Chad Gaudin (31) Jason Hammel (31) Tommy Hanson (27) Aaron Harang (36) Jeremy Hefner (28) Roberto Hernandez (33) Daniel Hudson (26) Ubaldo Jimenez (30) Jair Jurrjens (28) Jeff Karstens (31) Hiroki Kuroda (39) John Lannan (29) Paul Maholm (32) Shaun Marcum (32) Jason Marquis (35) Daisuke Matsuzaka (33) James McDonald (29) Jeff Niemann (31) Sean O'Sullivan (26) Roy Oswalt (35) Felipe Paulino (30) Mike Pelfrey (30) Greg Reynolds (28) Clayton Richard (30) Ervin Santana (31) Johan Santana (34) Joe Saunders (33) Kevin Slowey (30) Edinson Volquez (30) Tsuyoshi Wada (33) Jake Westbrook (36) Chien-Ming Wang (34) Jerome Williams (32) Suk-Min Yoon (27) Barry Zito (36) FOX Sports is reporting that the Indians have contacted Jason Hammel's representatives. Teams seem to be divided on whether Hammel is a starter or reliever. Roy Halladay has announced his retirement at the Winter Meetings. He was 20-4 with a 2.89 ERA lifetime against the Orioles.