Neil Walker still on Orioles' radar

NASHVILLE - The Orioles' pursuit of a left-handed bat and a desire to improve their on-base percentage could lead them back to Neil Walker.

Executive vice president Dan Duquette talked to the Pirates about Walker at last month's general managers meetings in Boca Raton, Fla. With the Orioles still unsure about Chris Davis, they maintain interest in Walker as a switch-hitting utility-type player who could get plenty of at-bats at first base and as their designated hitter.

Walker is challenged as a second baseman and the Orioles already have Jonathan Schoop, who could earn a Gold Glove next season if manager Buck Showalter's expectations are met.

Mark Trumbo can play the outfield, but it seems clear that the Orioles prefer him at first base and DH. There's still room on the roster for Walker and a serious need for anyone who can hit from the left side.

Walker, 30, is a career .272/.338/.431 hitter in seven major league seasons since the Pirates made him the 11th overall pick in 2004. He belted a career-high 23 home runs in 2014, with two 16-home run seasons sandwiched around them.

Walker batted .269/.328/.427 last season with 32 doubles, three triples, 16 home runs and 71 RBIs in 151 games. His on-base percentage would have ranked third this season among Orioles regulars, with only Davis (.361) and Manny Machado (.359) ahead of him.

Nolan Reimold posted a .344 on-base percentage in 61 games.

The Orioles certainly are intrigued by Pedro Alvarez, who was non-tendered by the Pirates last week, as a left-handed designated hitter. Alvarez makes Walker look like a defensive specialist and he owns a .309 career on-base percentage, but he averages 29 home runs over a full season and hit 36 in 2013.

It just depends on which direction Duquette chooses.

The Orioles no longer are linked to Ben Zobrist, who has been heavily courted by the Nationals, Mets, Giants and Dodgers. They always liked him, but not at four years and $60 million.

They still view Alex Gordon as a great fit - a left-handed hitting Gold Glove outfielder who sports a career .348 on-base percentage. That ship hasn't sailed.

Note: The Pre-Integration Era Committee did not elect any of the 10 candidates on the ballot for the Hall of Fame.

To earn election, candidates needed to be named on at least 75 percent of all ballots cast. Doc Adams (10 votes, 62.5 percent), Bill Dahlen (eight votes, 50 percent) and Harry Stovey (eight votes, 50 percent) were the closest to election. Sam Breadon, Wes Ferrell, August "Garry" Herrmann, Marty Marion, Frank McCormick, Chris von der Ahe and Bucky Walters received three or fewer votes.

The Baseball Writers' Association of America balloting will be announced on Jan. 6.