Orioles will continue quest to balance out lineup

Now that we've moved past the Thanksgiving holiday, it's time to tackle two important questions: How many ways can turkey be used in leftovers before it turns colors? And how will the Orioles continue to address their need for left-handed bats?

Soups, sandwiches, chili, casseroles, pot pies, enchiladas, omelets and hash are handy ways to transform whatever remains on the carcass and serving dish. That one was easy.

Executive vice president Dan Duquette suggested last week that he could be in the market for more than one left-handed hitter to balance out a lineup that leans so heavily to the right that it could capsize during the anthem.

Duquette mentioned designated hitter and outfield as two ways to squeeze in the bats. He didn't say anything about third base and it's safe to assume that he'd much prefer to keep Manny Machado at the hot corner and Tim Beckham at shortstop.

Mark Trumbo is penciled in as the regular designated hitter unless the Orioles work out a trade with two years remaining on the $37.5 million contract he signed last winter. He doesn't figure to be used in a strict platoon, so I'm not sure exactly how it would work.

Manager Buck Showalter has preferred to keep the spot flexible, though it doesn't always play out that way. Pedro Álvarez is a free agent again and already has signed twice with the club, so I'll never completely dismiss him. I just won't stare out the window waiting for his return.

The Orioles made a trade on Wednesday that pointed to one of their offseason priorities, acquiring left-handed hitting outfielder Jaycob Brugman from the Athletics for a player to be named later or cash. But he isn't assured of breaking camp with the team after appearing in 48 games this summer as a rookie. He'll be in the mix, for sure, perhaps as a platoon candidate after receiving only 19 plate appearances against left-handed pitching and going 3-for-18.

Brugman went 6-for-22 against left-handers at Triple-A Nashville. Southpaws made him sit.

We need to know how much the Orioles are willing to commit financially to a position player, since the heaviest funds should be sank into the rotation. Jay Bruce could play right field, allowing Austin Hays to serve as a backup at multiple spots or gain more experience at Triple-A Norfolk, but MLBTradeRumors.com projects that the veteran will receive a three-year, $39 million contract from the Blue Jays, with the possibility of a team forking over a fourth year.

Bruce is a career .226/.291/.421 hitter versus left-handers, so how much would you spend on a guy who may have to sit while, say, Hays or Trumbo plays right field?

This brings us back to Carlos Gonzalez. MLBTradeRumors.com predicted that he'd sign with the Orioles for $12 million in 2018. He registered a .206/.241/.321 slash line against southpaws this season, and to the surprise of few, he's posted much better numbers at Coors Field than on the road.

He'd fill a need at a relatively modest commitment if the projection is accurate.

Jon Jay is such a good fit for the Orioles, including his left-handed bat, .355 career on-base percentage and ability to play all three outfield positions, with most of his experience in center. Adam Jones needs to spend more days off his feet.

The 67 playoff games also bring a certain appeal, though they come with a .225/.310/.263 slash line.

MLBTradeRumors.com projected a two-year, $14 million contract for Jay, naming the Rangers as the most likely team to sign him.

The Mets tried to interest the Orioles in Curtis Granderson at the Winter Meetings while making a run at reliever Brad Brach. Granderson is a free agent who turns 37 in March and batted a combined .212/.323/.452 with the Mets and Dodgers.

Jarrod Dyson is fast and he'll be first to tell you. He, too, can be used everywhere in the outfield.

Jose Bautista is a right-handed hitter and he's still a villain in Baltimore. What's he doing in this blog entry?

Hey, Hyun Soo Kim is a free agent and ... never mind.

Let me know how you get creative with leftovers and how you'd solve the balance issue in the lineup, keeping in mind that you can't spend like you've got the deepest pockets.