masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles will explore trade options as well as check the free agent market while attempting to upgrade their roster. In that regard, it’s going to be a typical winter.

According to multiple sources, they spoke to the Blue Jays about first baseman Adam Lind and were unable to agree on a return before he was traded to the Brewers last weekend for pitcher Marco Estrada.

The Jays wanted first baseman/outfielder Steve Pearce, according to sources, but the Orioles weren’t willing to part…The Orioles will explore trade options as well as check the free agent market while attempting to upgrade their roster. In that regard, it’s going to be a typical winter.

According to multiple sources, they spoke to the Blue Jays about first baseman Adam Lind and were unable to agree on a return before he was traded to the Brewers last weekend for pitcher Marco Estrada.

pearce-first-base-white-sidebar.jpgThe Jays wanted first baseman/outfielder Steve Pearce, according to sources, but the Orioles weren’t willing to part with him.

Lind became expendable after the Jays claimed first baseman Justin Smoak off waivers from the Mariners. They also have Edwin Encarnacion to play first and rotate at designated hitter.

The Jays exercised Lind’s $7.5 million option, preventing him from becoming a free agent, and explored trade opportunities. The Orioles weren’t a match.

This was the Jays’ latest attempt to acquire Pearce. They claimed him off waivers after the Orioles released him on April 25, but he had the right to decline it. The Orioles re-signed him four days later, which should have made their front office a lock for the MVL award – Most Valuable Loophole.

Pearce never wanted to leave and the Orioles didn’t want to lose him. They were just experiencing a roster crunch.

Good luck trying to get him now.

Pearce is arbitration-eligible again and MLBTradeRumors projects his salary to rise from $700,000 to $2.2 million after he set career-highs in games (102), plate appearances (383), runs (51), hits (99), doubles (26), home runs (21), RBIs (49), steals (five), walks (40), on-base percentage (.373) and slugging percentage (.556).

Pearce’s role is undefined at the moment. He could play first base, he could be the primary right-handed designated hitter, he could play left field if Nelson Cruz signs elsewhere and he could play right field if the unexpected happens and Nick Markakis isn’t re-signed.

The left-handed hitting Lind, 31, batted .321/.381/.479 with 24 doubles, six home runs and 40 RBIs in 96 games, his availability limited by back and foot injuries. His best season came in 2009, when he batted .305/.370/.562 with 46 doubles, 35 homers and 114 RBIs in 151 games and won his only Silver Slugger Award.

How would a trade for Lind have impacted Chris Davis, also a left-handed hitting first baseman who’s in his final year of arbitration eligibility after making $10.3 million in 2014? The Orioles are expected to tender him a contract.

Lind could have been used as the designated hitter against right-handers. Cruz often filled that role, with Alejandro De Aza or David Lough in left field.