Tossing out free agent suggestions for the Orioles

The challenges for the Orioles in filling the holes in their roster include payroll limitations and enticing free agents without the promise of a winning season and playoff run.

Using a championship ring as a selling point would ring hollow.

We've gone over the list of needs, which more easily can be addressed via trades. Players don't have a choice, of course. Infielder Jonathan Villar was pulled from a pennant race at the non-waiver deadline and joined a team with the worst record in baseball. Suck it up and find the silver linings, such as an increase in playing time and the chance to become established or re-establish yourself in the majors.

The Orioles haven't laid out their budget for public consumption. They haven't stated how much money can be spent prior to opening day. But we won't stop tossing out suggestions and debating which free agents are the most logical fits and worth pursuing.

Ideas were shared on Saturday's "Wall to Wall Baseball" show on MASN. They were supposed to be realistic possibilities, eliminating Manny Machado's return, Bryce Harper playing right field or Dallas Keuchel starting on opening day.

I can be accused of bending the rules like a pretzel because I nominated Marwin Gonzalez again.

Versatility brings tremendous appeal to the Orioles and Gonzalez can fit practically anywhere. MLBTradeRumors.com lists him at five positions, including all four in the infield. He's never started in center or right field, but has made a combined seven appearances. And he's a switch-hitter who turns 30 in March.

In theory, the Orioles could put Gonzalez in left field and move Trey Mancini to right as long as Chris Davis is playing first base. They could rotate Gonzalez all over the infield, which doesn't have a definitive starter at third base or shortstop if Villar is playing second.

In reality, Gonzalez figures to be too pricy for the Orioles. MLBTradeRumors.com ranked him as the 16th-best free agent on the market and predicted that the Twins would give him a four-year, $36 million contract.

Then again, the site also predicted that the Nationals would sign catcher Yasmani Grandal for $64 million over four years and he took a one-year, $18.25 million deal with the Brewers. Also too rich for the Orioles' blood, but my point here is these projections aren't exact.

Anyway, the Orioles aren't in position to outbid other teams and Gonzalez hired agent Scott Boras two years ago, tossing another wet log on their fire.

I also suggested third baseman Mike Moustakas again because he's better than the current in-house options and could be flipped at the non-waiver deadline, making him a trade chip before the ink dries on his contract. The Royals did it last summer, getting two players from the Brewers in return, and pitcher Jorge López held the Orioles to one run with no walks and eight strikeouts over seven innings in a Sept. 2 start.

MLB Network Radio's Jim Duquette, a former Orioles executive, suggested right-hander Ervin Santana on a one-year deal and reliever Cody Allen perhaps over two years to serve as closer.

WJZ's Mark Viviano chose infielder Josh Harrison, another versatile player, and MASN's Tom Davis included catcher Martín Maldonado, a Gold Glove winner in 2017.

Maldonado is projected to receive a two-year deal and makes sense for the Orioles, who need a veteran with his defensive skills. They haven't closed the door on Caleb Joseph, who's gotten my endorsement here over the winter.

A starting pitcher, outfielder, shortstop and catcher are definite areas of need.

* The Cubs announced yesterday the hiring of former pitcher Craig Breslow as director of strategic initiatives for baseball operations, a position that will call for him to "help to evaluate and implement data-based processes throughout all facets of baseball operations," among other tasks.

There's an Orioles spin to it because Breslow was deemed as a candidate to join them based on his relationship with executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias, his former rotation-mate at Yale University. He's been labeled the smartest man in baseball with his degree in molecular biophysics and biochemistry and his admission into the NYU School of Medicine.

He would have been a nice fit. And the Orioles front office would have crushed the competition on "Jeopardy."

Breslow also was on the club's radar as a free agent reliever, with former executive vice president Dan Duquette hinting at his interest during the 2014 Winter Meetings in San Diego.

Of course, Duquette had more pressing business than deciding on a veteran lefty for the bullpen. He had to replace Nick Markakis and Nelson Cruz and deflect reports that the Blue Jays were pursuing him for the job of team president.

* The Orioles are holding open tryouts for ballgirls and ballboys to work during the 2019 season.

The tryouts take place on March 9 beginning at noon for anyone 18 and over. The Orioles suggest that you dress casually and bring your own glove. Enter at home plate plaza on the southwest corner of the ballpark. Complimentary parking is provided in Lot A.

Candidates should send a resume with a cover letter, including baseball and softball experience, to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Resumes will be accepted until March 1 or can be brought to the ballpark.