This, that and the other (Melky Cabrera off the board)

An Orioles official told me yesterday that they're still working on a minor league deal with pitcher Chaz Roe. It's going to get done. I'd expect the deal to include an invitation to spring training. Roe appeared in 21 games with the Diamondbacks in 2013, posting a 4.03 ERA. He got into three games with the Yankees this season, allowing three runs (two earned) and three hits, walking three and striking out four in two innings. Roe worked the eighth inning in Game 2 of a Sept. 12 doubleheader at Camden Yards, allowing one run and striking out two. Jonathan Schoop reached on a wild pitch after striking out and scored on Alejandro De Aza's triple. Former executive Jim Duquette, part of the "Wall to Wall Baseball" panel yesterday, said Kevin Gausman will be an "impact pitcher" this season, not just a contributor. Gausman has minor league options and experience in the bullpen, but I'll repeat that he should be given the ball every five days, along with the chance to finally establish himself as a major league starter. Dylan Bundy is out of minor league options after the 2015 season. He needs to be healthy and productive to let the Orioles project him as part of the 2016 staff. Wei-Yin Chen and Bud Norris are pending free agents. The Orioles would love to slot Bundy into the rotation in 2016 at the latest. Chen is owed $4.75 million in the final season of his contract. He's represented by Scott Boras, who gave reporters the following quote at the Winter Meetings: "Other than them exercising Wei-Yin's option, I've not heard from them about what their position is on the future, but obviously he's one of their top winning pitchers and very valuable and a very young guy and he's going to have great free agent value come next year at this time." Great free agent value. Anyone else hear the sound of a cash register ringing? Another left-hander, Jason Vargas, signed a four-year, $32 million contract with the Royals in November 2013. Right-hander Brandon McCarthy went 5-11 with a 4.53 ERA in 22 starts with the Diamondbacks in 2013 and 3-10 with a 5.01 ERA in 18 starts in 2014 before being traded in July, but the Dodgers say he's worth $48 million over four seasons. Chen won 16 games this year and is 35-24 with a 3.86 ERA in 86 major league starts. He's got a chance to really get paid. Ubaldo Jimenez looked like a bust after signing a four-year, $50 million deal last spring, but being owed almost $39 million over three years seems like the going rate these days. Jimenez could turn into a bargain if the adjustment made to his delivery pays off in 2015. It's just a shame that it took until September for Jimenez to lower his hands. Had he done it sooner, he may have lowered his ERA. It's a challenge to carry one Rule 5 pick all season. There's no way that the Orioles carry two of them next year. Jason Garcia, 22, is getting most of the attention because of his mid-to-upper 90s fastball and how he struck out 14 of 18 Orioles (including Chris Davis) in an instructional league game. He hasn't pitched above the Single-A level. Talk about a long shot. He's worth a look. He's worth the $50,000 to claim him. But it isn't realistic to expect him to stay with the Orioles. It's up to Garcia to prove everyone wrong and the Orioles, if that impressed by him, to figure out a way to keep him. Logan Verrett made 28 starts at the Triple-A level this season after making 24 at Double-A in 2013. He's got a better shot, though it wouldn't be easy to create room for him in the bullpen. As the Orioles keep reminding their fans, they reached the American League Championship Series because of their improved pitching and they've lost only one arm. It belonged to Andrew Miller, who spent the second half with the club. A Rule 5 pick has to stay on the active roster for 90 days. He can't be optioned without clearing waivers and being offered back to his former club, but he can be placed on the disabled list. The Orioles didn't lose anyone in the major league phase of the draft. The Rangers liked outfielder Glynn Davis, but he's played 26 games at the Double-A level and they didn't think they could keep him all season. Davis has a .343 on-base percentage in four minor league seasons. The Orioles like him, too. The Pirates signed former Orioles pitcher Radhames Liz to a one-year deal worth $1 million. They agreed to two years, but the Pirates reportedly were uncomfortable with the results of Liz's physical. It does happen with other teams. Former Orioles reliever Will Ohman was at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego during the Winter Meetings. The left-hander is searching for a job, but not as a pitcher. Ohman, who asked for his release from the Nationals in 2013 after blowing out his hamstring while stretching at spring training, is intrigued by the idea of working in television or radio, coaching or being a scout. He's open to suggestions. I'd recommend a studio job for Ohman. He's got a big personality - an acquired taste for some teammates, but wildly entertaining to reporters - and a voice that plays in the electronic media. I could envision him on MLB Network. The Blue Jays reportedly are interested in having Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo replace Paul Beeston as president/CEO, which means I'm officially the only person not on their list. NOTE: Melky Cabrera has agreed to terms with the White Sox on a three-year deal, according to Bruce Levine of WSCR-AM and 670thescore.com in Chicago. The deal is reportedly worth $43.5 million. The Orioles viewed Cabrera as a fallback option, but now he's off the board.