Still looking for outfielders, as some names come off the board

It can be easy to feel that time is running out on the Orioles to add an outfielder now that the calender has flipped to 2017. But while there is still plenty of time to make an addition or two, several outfielders have come of the board.

When the free agent season began, the Orioles were certainly unlikely to pursue the bigger dollar options and apparently were indeed not in the hunt for Yoenis Cespedes, Dexter Fowler or Ian Desmond.

Other outfielders that have signed for 2017:
* Josh Reddick for four years, $52 million with the Astros
* Matt Joyce for two years, $11 million with A's
* Jon Jay for one year and $8 million with the Cubs
* Rajai Davis for one year and $6 million with A's
* Ben Revere for one year and $4 million with the Angels

So where does that leave the Orioles?

With an on-base percentage of .330 or above four of the last five years, Angel Pagan could be among the most attractive of the remaining free agents, but he turns 36 on July 2. If he can be acquired on a one-year deal, he could bring a top of the order hitter to the lineup.

Pagan hit .277/.331/.418 last season in 129 games for the San Francisco Giants. He had 24 doubles, five triples and a career-high 12 homers, with 55 RBIs, 71 runs, 15 steals and a .750 OPS. Pagan was hitting over .290 until a late slump (he hit .190 in September) dropped him to .277.

In his career, he is a .280/.330/.408 hitter. He is a switch-hitter with a career average of .267 versus lefty pitching and .286 against right-handers.

Colby Rasmus hit just .206/.286/.355 last year with 15 homers and 54 RBIs in 417 plate appearances for the Astros. While he is not bringing much in the OBP department, his OPS was .791 from 2013-15.

Chris Coghlan does bring a career .335 OBP. Before last year, he was traded by the Cubs to the A's. In June, he was traded back to the Cubs. With Oakland in 2016, he had a miserable line of .146/.215/.272 in 172 plate appearances. In 128 plate appearances with the Cubs, he had a line of .252/.391/.388.

Michael Saunders has been linked to the Orioles a few times this offseason. He had an outstanding first half for Toronto in 2016, batting .298/.372/.551, and then a terrible second half, batting .178/.282/.357.

Saunders hit better against left-handed pitching, batting .275/.358/.569, while going .247/.332/.451 against right-handers. The falloff he had in the second half must create some concerns about signing him, not to mention his defense was rated below average.

There has been very little buzz this winter about Michael Bourn. He ended 2016 with the Orioles after they acquired him on Aug. 31 for minor leaguer Jason Heinrich. He started in right field, batting eighth, for the Orioles in the American League wild card game, going 1-for-4.

In 55 plate appearances for Baltimore, Bourn hit .283/.358/.435. Earlier, in 358 PAs for Arizona, he hit .261/.307/.362. In his career, he has hit .266/.329/.357.

He has stolen 50 or more bases three times in his career, but not since 2011. He would add some speed to the team but doesn't figure to bring too much in the OBP department. He turned 34 in December.

The Orioles could always go the trade route for an outfielder. Jarrod Dyson of Kansas City and J.D. Martinez of Detroit are two names that have been mentioned to be available via trade. Also the Mets could move either Jay Bruce or Curtis Granderson.

Not mentioned: Jose Bautista. The Orioles are not going there, they say, even if Bautista would take a one-year deal apparently. He would still cost any team but Toronto that signed him a draft pick.

Any chance the Orioles do an about-face here?