O's Dan Duquette on Chris Davis

NASHVILLE - Is decision day for Chris Davis and the Orioles coming soon? The answer may well be yes, at least from the club's side.

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette met with Scott Boras, Davis' agent, this afternoon here at the Winter Meetings. There doesn't seem to be any indication that the sides are close to an agreement. At the same time, if the O's can't or don't get Davis, they may need to move on and address other needs.

During his one-on-one interview today with MASNsports.com, Duquette indicated the Orioles need to find out soon whether they can get Davis or not.

"I think it's about time for the players that are free agents and the clubs that staff the teams to make their decisions," Duquette said. "We're getting there in terms of staffing our club for the 2016 season. We've made it very clear we are trying to add some left-handed hitting to our ballclub and we're going to have to decide who we are going to go with this week."

So are the Orioles possibly down to days here? Do they need to know that soon on Davis?

"The way the offseason works, there are opportunities," Duquette said. "But the window closes on some of these opportunities. We're going to staff our club to have it as strong as we can going into the season. We need to add some left-handed hitting to balance our lineup and that is what we aim to do."

I asked Duquette if waiting on Davis could hurt the club as it tries to make other moves and decisions.

"I think that we are prepared to staff our ballclub," he said. "At some point the players have to decide where they are going to make their home or hang their hat for the future. And, we're getting close to decision time."

We know the Orioles still have needs in the corner outfield spots and are still looking for outfield help. Is that market possibly about to heat up?

"Clubs have been chasing pitchers," Duquette said. "There are a lot of clubs chasing pitching and there are not as many that are chasing position players. And there are a few more position players on the market. So we'll have to see how the market plays out for the position players."

The Orioles today announced that they've extended their working agreement with the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds of the South Atlantic League through the 2018 season. The Shorebirds have been an Orioles affiliate for 19 years.

Arthur W. Perdue Stadium, home of the Shorebirds in Salisbury, Md., underwent renovations prior to the 2015 season that included remodeled clubhouses, training facilities and batting cages. In 2016, the ballpark will feature a new playing surface as well as improved stadium lighting. The Shorebirds are also finalizing plans for several fan-centered enhancements scheduled to be completed in advance of the 2017 season.

"We extended the agreement for two years," Duquette said. "The Delmarva community and the management of the team have made significant investments in the clubhouse. They've got a new playing field and new lights.

"We're pleased as punch to continue our player development efforts there with a first-class facility at Perdue Stadium. It's great, right in the backyard of the Orioles. Our fans get to see our players when they are younger. Our young players get to see the major league team and identify with the culture of being an Oriole. And we're so happy to extend that player development agreement in Delmarva."

Pat Filippone, the president of Seventh Inning Stretch, the Shorebirds ownership group, talked about today's news.

"We are excited for the future," he said. "We finished over .500 this year and we are delighted to be the baby O's. We wear the black and orange proudly. We say we develop players, but we also develop fans that come up to Camden Yards. It is a family and that is how they treat it and we appreciate it."

The new infield at Perdue was made up to be very similar to Camden Yards. Triple-A Norfolk did the same when it put in a new field. Orioles director of minor league operations Kent Qualls said the club wanted to thank O's head groundskeeper Nicole McFadyen and Bowie groundskeeper Matt Parrott for their work with it.

"With Nicole and Matt, it was really a collaborative effort to make sure we get a nice playing field there for next year and for the future," he said. "The infield dirt at Camden Yards, they put the same mix in at Perdue Stadium."

The Shorebirds have the second-longest running affiliate relationship with a major league organization in the South Atlantic League. The Orioles' working agreements run through 2018 with Norfolk, Double-A Bowie, Single-A Frederick and Delmarva. They run through 2016 with short-season Single-A Aberdeen.

Check back later this evening to see the full video of our interview with Duquette.