Orioles sifting through right field possibilities

SARASOTA, Fla. - Dexter Fowler won't be playing right field for the Orioles. Agent Casey Close won't be attending their next cookout.

Tough day yesterday.

The lingering question, besides trying to figure out why Close waited two days to deny the agreement and torch the Orioles and media, is who's joining Adam Jones and Hyun Soo Kim in the outfield on opening day?

The Orioles are kicking around ideas, including just letting the in-house candidates fight for the job. Manager Buck Showalter believes that Nolan Reimold has a lot to offer. It's always been about health, and Reimold stayed off the disabled list last season. He's also reported to camp in excellent shape.

"I just know what the potential is," Showalter said. "Nolan's in a good place right now. I don't think he gets enough credit for, when he's healthy, what he can do. He's a very capable player if he's healthy and you can tell he feels good about himself physically for the first time in a while. He's one of those pick-to-click type of guys that surprise, and he shouldn't be. But the health is a factor.

"He's a guy in the back of my mind, he's a guy who could pop for us potentially. We'll see."

Of course, Reimold wouldn't be the only contender for the job. Dariel Alvarez was a beast in the Caribbean World Series and he has a plus-plus arm. No one outworks Henry Urrutia, who is champing at the bit. Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard has posted a .390 on-base percentage in four minor league seasons.

Mark Trumbo could play right field if the Orioles are comfortable with his defense, allowing them to free up the designated hitter spot for someone else. Pedro Alvarez is still out there.

Jimmy Paredes worked with the outfielders yesterday, but he's not a consideration.

The Orioles are willing to reopen trade talks with the Reds concerning Jay Bruce. He almost was sent to the Blue Jays this week in a three-team deal, but it fell apart. He's still available and the Orioles still believe they can get him without hurting the farm system.

Concerns linger about his .217 and .226 batting averages the past two seasons. He has a career .319 on-base percentage. The Orioles could use a table setter over another slugger, which makes the Fowler loss really sting.

As for the free agent market, it appears that the Orioles are most intrigued by Austin Jackson, though he bats from the right side.

Jackson, 29, is a career .273/.333/.399 hitter in six seasons. He's played 836 games in center field and 22 in right, so he could back up Jones. The Orioles envisioned Fowler the same way.

Most of Jackson's at-bats have come from the leadoff spot, where he's a career .274/.335/.406 hitter. He's been in the playoffs four of the past five years.

A report surfaced last night on MLB.com that Jackson turned down the Angels' one-year offer in the $5-6 million range. The Orioles would have to decide whether he's worth more to them.

Given the above choices, what would you do?

The Orioles designated Efren Navarro for assignment yesterday before news broke that Fowler was staying with the Cubs. They insist that the decision wasn't made because they planned on signing another outfielder this week. Navarro was the choice and it wasn't tied to Fowler.

Close probably won't believe them. Too bad they can't talk about it over hot dogs and burgers.