The search for an outfielder continues

If the Orioles found an outfielder under their tree yesterday, they are not saying so yet. That must have been a pretty big tree, however.

As the end of the calender year approaches, the Orioles' search for an outfielder is ongoing. If said player has some speed, a good on-base percentage and plays solid defense, that would be quite welcome in a lineup that needs the first two and an outfield defense that needs the third.

Here are four players that have been linked to the Orioles. These are not the four favorites and clearly are not the only four possibilities. Feel free to share your thoughts on any in this group or discuss any other outfielders you think the Orioles should be taking a look at.

Angel Pagan: While MLBTradeRumors.com did not list Pagan among its top 50 free agents, ESPN's Keith Law ranked Pagan No. 22 on his top 50. Pagan, who turned 35 in July, hit .277/.331/.418 last season in 129 games for the Giants. He had 24 doubles, five triples, a career-high 12 homers and 55 RBIs with 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 would add a leadoff-type bat and is a switch-hitter with a career average of .267 versus lefty pitching and .286 against right-handers.

Law noted Pagan played more in left than center field (almost all in left) for the Giants due to decreasing range in the outfield and also dealt with a hamstring strain.

Michael Saunders: He had an outstanding first half for Toronto in 2016, batting .298/.372/.551 and then a terrible second half, batting .178/.282/.357. How do you explain that? Saunders' overall stats for 140 games include these numbers: .253/.338/.478 with 32 doubles 24 homers and 57 RBIs.

A left-handed batter, Saunders will be 30 on opening day and MLBTradeRumors.com projected that the Orioles would be the team to sign him for three years and $33 million when free agency began.

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 and his defense was rated below average. MASNsports.com's Roch Kubatko has reported that the Orioles have some concerns about him physically.

Jarrod Dyson: The Orioles have been reported to have some interest in talking trade with Kansas City for Dyson. He checks off a few boxes. He is fast and a base stealer, is coming off a season with an OBP of .340, comes at a low salary and is a good defender. He's also a leadoff hitter, so he checks quite a few boxes.

The 32-year-old lefty batter hit .278/.340/.388 last year with 30 steals in 37 attempts. The Orioles were last in the majors with 19 steals last season.

A free agent at the end of 2017, Dyson would likely be a one-year fix and that could bring down his trade price. A career .231/.305/.285 hitter versus lefty pitchers, he is more of a platoon guy than a regular. Maybe he could platoon with Joey Rickard, providing the club a speedy, base stealing option that can play decent defense in the lineup every night.

Dyson has averaged 31 steals per season over the past five years despite averaging just 284 plate appearances. On defense, he received a +11 rating from defensive runs saved in the outfield in 2016.

Rajai Davis: The 36-year-old Davis, an 11-year veteran, is a solid defender and considered an excellent baserunner. Davis led the American League and ranked fourth in the majors last season with 43 steals for Cleveland. His two-run homer off Aroldis Chapman in the eighth inning of Game 7 of the World Series tied that game at 6-6.

In 495 plate appearances for the Tribe in 2016, Davis hit .249/.306/.388 with 23 doubles, two triples, 12 homers and 48 RBIs. Over his career, he is a much better hitter against southpaws, with a career slash line of .288/.343/.437, as opposed to .256/.299/.361 versus right-handers.

Among other available outfielders out there are Colby Rasmus, Jose Bautista and Austin Jackson, along with Micheal Bourn, who was with the Orioles at the end of last year, to name a few more.

Where will the club's search for an outfielder end?