More on arbitration eligibles, interest in Kendrick and Showalter quotes

The Orioles and their six unsigned arbitration-eligible players will exchange salary figures today if agreements can't be reached on contracts for the upcoming season.

As I say every year, it's a whole lot of wasted reporting energy. The players are under team control. It's just a matter of determining how much they're going to be paid in 2016.

Third baseman Manny Machado is the most interesting case because he's due a huge raise in his first year of eligibility after making $548,000 last season. He put up career highs across the board while being the only player to appear in every game. He won a second Gold Glove Award and finished fourth in Most Valuable Player voting in the American League.

It's going to cost the Orioles.

MLBTradeRumors.com projects that Machado's salary will jump to $5.9 million. That's a serious raise, my friends.

The Orioles already settled with pitcher Vance Worley, outfielder Nolan Reimold, first baseman Mark Trumbo and reliever Brad Brach, the last two agreeing to terms yesterday.

Here are the other five players who could go to arbitration, with their salaries last season and the MLBTradeRumors.com projections for 2016:

Brian Matusz - $3.2 million/$3.4 million
Chris Tillman - $4.315 million/$6.2 million
Miguel Gonzalez - $3.275 million/$4.9 million
Ryan Flaherty - $1.075 million/$1.5 million
Zach Britton - $3.2 million/$6.9 million

The Orioles continue to discuss various alternatives to first baseman Chris Davis, who's no closer today to re-signing than he was during the Winter Meetings. There's been no progress, and as I wrote last night, patience is wearing thin.

According to one source, the Orioles seem more inclined now to give up on Davis than at any point.

The Orioles have discussed free agent Howie Kendrick, 32, who could play first base and maybe right field. He's a career .293/.333/.423 hitter in 10 major league seasons, the first nine with the Angels. However, he would cost the Orioles their first-round draft pick, currently the 14th overall, and they don't seem willing to pay that price.

Yoenis Cespedes wouldn't cost a pick, which is a big reason why he's favored in the warehouse. The Orioles are especially hesitant to part with it for a one- or two-year deal.

Cespedes, Kendrick and Justin Upton are right-handed hitters, and losing Davis would create even more of an imbalance in their lineup. A left-handed bat would have to come from somewhere, which could lead the Orioles back to Pedro Alvarez as the designated hitter.

In an odd splits twist, Cespedes is a career .278/.318/.493 hitter against right-handers and a .252/.322/.466 hitter against left-handers. The Orioles are fully aware as they try to balance out their lineup.

Showalter met yesterday with managing partner Peter Angelos and executive vice president Dan Duquette to further discuss the roster and potential moves.

"We've got a pretty good what-if going and I think you'll see some things start to move pretty quickly here," Showalter said on the "Hot Stove Show" on 105.7 The Fan.

Showalter is more interested in what the Orioles will do with their rotation.

"The thing I wake up with every day is what are we going to do with the starting pitching because that's where we stepped back last year," he said. "We scored more runs last year than the year before. We'll figure out a way to push enough people across. But who's to say that Chris Tillman and Miguel Gonzalez don't revert to the form they had in 2014? We know it's there.

"And Kevin Gausman, I don't even want to say 'wild card.' I think people are selling him way short. He's in a perfect place in his career where he's done everything you're supposed to do. He's ready to graduate. It's a process. I'm fine where we are."

Teams keep asking for Gausman in trades.

"We're not giving Kevin up, OK?" Showalter said. "Kevin, we've gone too far down the road for that. I'm excited about him."

What about free agent right-hander Doug Fister? The Orioles have discussed him, but there doesn't appear to be anything hot.

"I know the fans would love his competitiveness," Showalter said. "He's one of those guys, the day after he pitches he's running the stadium steps. Really competitive, a strike thrower, athletic off the mound fielding his position. A guy who fits us. But right now, the asking prices I think are a little bit out of the industry norm, but we'll see what develops."

Showalter confirmed that Double-A Bowie first baseman Trey Mancini will receive an invitation to spring training. Mancini was named the organization's minor league Player of the Year last season.

Also, Showalter warned fans not to forget about Reimold, saying that he has "a good feeling" about the outfielder. He also noted the importance of Reimold playing all three outfield positions.

Showalter would like to keep Trumbo out of the outfield and won't use him at third base. Trumbo is the first baseman if Davis doesn't re-sign.

Showalter said new outfielder Hyun Soo Kim weighs 247 pounds and needs to shed about 15, "and he knows that." He's eager to watch Kim hit and play the outfield in spring training.

"I'm going to be surprised if this guy isn't a contributor. I really am," Showalter said. "The walk totals won't be as high, but they're still going to play. The contact."

I asked whether Dylan Bundy is penciled into the bullpen now that he's out of options.

"When you're out of options," Showalter replied, "you're ink in the bullpen."

Showalter said he has a couple "sleeper" ideas for a leadoff hitter besides Machado. He also said Machado won't play 162 games again this season.

Cal Ripken Jr.'s streak is safe.

"We're not going to let that road start rolling," Showalter said. "He'll probably miss opening day. Be a nice pinch-hitter coming off the bench late, though."

We've got jokes.