Orioles remain challenged to find pitching

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Winter Meetings kick into high gear today with the Orioles still in pursuit of multiple starting pitchers and another left-handed bat. The trip south didn't change their priorities. They didn't lose their luggage or their shopping list.

The mega-trade orchestrated by the Yankees isn't expected to alter their approach.

Giancarlo Stanton's arrival in the Bronx isn't going to throw the Orioles into a collective panic. They didn't react to the Red Sox's acquisition of left-hander Chris Sale last offseason and they aren't going on a wild spending spree after the Yankees added Stanton, the National League's Most Valuable Player, to an already potent lineup.

"The rich got richer," executive vice president Dan Duquette said last night during his MLB Network Radio interview outside the media workroom.

The Orioles are going to keep exploring trades to fill out their rotation as the prices climb in free agency. They really like Alex Cobb, but it's believed that he'll move out of their range. And the same goes for Lance Lynn.

"That checkbook baseball doesn't always work out," Duquette said.

The Pirates are dangling Gerrit Cole, but the return is likely to be too steep for the Orioles.

A left-hander remains a necessity for the Orioles, which leads us back to Jason Vargas. He makes sense for the club, but only as a complementary piece and not the marquee move. Duquette has acknowledged that finding a southpaw may present the biggest challenge of the winter.

Teams will continue to call Duquette to gauge the availability of third baseman Manny Machado and closer Zach Britton. The media will press him on the subject later today in his suite. He's braced for it.

Duquette indicated again last night during his radio interview that he's more likely to hold onto Machado and Britton, preaching their value to the organization, but he's going to listen to offers because it's part of the job and would be irresponsible on his part to ignore them. This isn't breaking news.

Asked specifically about Machado, Duquette said, "He's been a good player and obviously we like him in Baltimore. He's attracted a lot of interest because he's going into his free agent year. A lot of clubs like him because of what he's done and his age. He should have some good years ahead of him."

They won't be in Baltimore unless the Orioles are willing to obliterate the bank.

The club might get a feel for Machado's intentions this week while Duquette meets with his representatives.

"We tried to sign him up a couple years ago to an extension that made some sense for him and the club and we weren't able to get that deal done," Duquette said. "Since then we've looked and it and that's a big decision for the organization and that certainly deserves the organization's attention and consideration. That's something we have to take a hard look at.

"The organization's got several decisions that it will have to make this coming season with a lot players having the option year in their contract. But those players have been the core players on our ballclub and we've had some very competitive teams in Baltimore, so there's a lot of reasons to keep them and try to have a contending team."

Some executives and scouts are still wondering about Britton's health, which could reduce his value if made available.

Britton kept insisting at the non-waiver trade deadline that his left forearm and elbow were fine, and media reports that casted doubts agitated him. He was shut down in September with a sore knee, but would have continued to pitch if the Orioles remained in the playoff hunt.

The Mets and Diamondbacks are in the market for relievers - the latter might be willing to trade left-hander Patrick Corbin - and the Orioles could deal from a position of strength, but they seem more inclined to fortify the bullpen and reduce the pressure on their rotation. At least that's how it works in theory.

Only 15 pitchers in the majors amassed 200 or more innings this summer and starters wore short leashes in the postseason. There's a solid argument for focusing on the bullpen, which also is a more cost-effective strategy, but three spots still have to be filled in the rotation.

Meanwhile, we're waiting for official news that the entire coaching staff is back in 2018. They were given the chance to return and the club has been working to finalize the contracts.

Assistant athletic trainer Brian Ebel has been promoted to the head position as Richie Bancells' replacement. Bancells retired after 41 seasons in the organization to spend more time with his family.

The Orioles can sift through their in-house candidates to find a new assistant to Ebel.