Quick preview of the the Winter Meetings

LAS VEGAS - For years now, the Orioles have not been among the teams making major news at baseball's annual Winter Meetings. That didn't appear likely to change much this year as media and front office executives arrived at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino for the meetings, which officially begin today.

It seems like it has been years since the Orioles were involved in a transaction that led their key baseball operations decision-maker to the podium to hold an actual press conference for reporters. The last time that happened at the Winter Meetings might have been in 2010, when Andy MacPhail made it to the podium. He was announcing that the Orioles had acquired shortstop J.J. Hardy and infielder Brendan Harris from the Minnesota Twins for pitchers Brett Jacobson and Jim Hoey. That deal worked out pretty well for Baltimore.

The current O's could use a shortstop, and maybe such an acquisition will happen this week in Las Vegas. But it seems more likely to be pretty quiet for the Orioles. They are expected to make at least one pick in Thursday's Rule 5 draft, where they hold the No. 1 selection.

Right now, new executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias is still searching for his first manager and filling out his front office. At this time, those are likely higher priorities than adding to or altering the current roster. Currently, the club doesn't have anyone heading up player development and scouting since Brian Graham and Gary Rajsich were not retained.

It could be that one thing that comes out during the next few days here is simply that fans and reporters get to know Elias better. We'll hear his answers to reporter questions daily and perhaps get a better idea of his vision for the Orioles rebuild. Perhaps more of his thoughts and some specifics will emerge during the meetings.

Maybe the tearing down of the Orioles is not complete and Elias will use these meetings to gauge interest in some of his veteran players. Players who might bring more young talent and prospects to Baltimore.

Right-hander Alex Cobb went 5-15 with a 4.90 ERA last year and is signed for three more years at $43 million. That may be too pricey for some, but other teams could take note of his strong second half. He went 3-3 with a 2.56 ERA and 1.156 WHIP after the All-Star game.

Right-hander Andrew Cashner went 4-15 with a 5.29 ERA. On Feb. 15, Cashner signed a two-year free agent deal with Baltimore worth $16 million with an option for 2020.

The $10 million option for 2020 will vest if Cashner reaches 340 combined innings for 2018 and 2019. After throwing 153 last year, Cashner would need 187 or more innings this season to hit that number. But his contract states that if he is at 360 or more innings for those two seasons, the option becomes a player option. So if he can throw 207 or more innings in 2019, he could decline the option and choose to become a free agent.

The Orioles are not likely to be able to move Mark Trumbo this winter, since he just had surgery on his right knee. Trumbo, who led the majors with 47 homers in 2016, hit .263/.313/.452 last season. He will earn $13.5 million during 2019 and his contract allows him no-trade protection with seven clubs.

Surprises happen this time of year, and we've seen it at Winter Meetings gatherings before. But the Orioles seem likely to have a quiet week here as behind-the-scenes work continues on hiring a manager and building out a front office.

Our live #WinterMeetings shows start today! Tune in from 3-5 p.m. ET and 9-11 p.m. ET on Facebook Live: https://t.co/uWUzOmIvN6 pic.twitter.com/V52ocaj4BU

-- Orioles on MASN (@masnOrioles) December 10, 2018