masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgNASHVILLE – It would seem very likely that the Orioles’ payroll in 2016 will exceed the 2015 mark, which was in the $118-120 million range. While executive vice president Dan Duquette certainly isn’t ready to provide any numbers or guarantee the payroll will go up, he indicated it would during a one-on-one video interview tonight with MASNsports.com at the Winter Meetings.
“Well, I think we have some flexibility in the payroll and we have a good core of our team,” Duquette said….

NASHVILLE – It would seem very likely that the Orioles’ payroll in 2016 will exceed the 2015 mark, which was in the $118-120 million range. While executive vice president Dan Duquette certainly isn’t ready to provide any numbers or guarantee the payroll will go up, he indicated it would during a one-on-one video interview tonight with MASNsports.com at the Winter Meetings.

“Well, I think we have some flexibility in the payroll and we have a good core of our team,” Duquette said. “Especially up the middle. We’ve got (Matt) Wieters, of course. (Jonathan) Schoop, (J.J.) Hardy, (Adam) Jones and we haven’t even talked (Manny) Machado. So that is a good place to start for the ballclub and I believe we have the resources to put the pieces together to have another good team next year. Our fans have been very supportive. They like our team and players. I expect we’ll be in a position to add this year.”

The free agent pitching market is moving fast. Both David Price and Zack Greinke have landed $200 million deals. Other pitchers may soon be coming off the board fast. I asked Duquette if the prices for the high-end pitchers will bring up the market for the second and third-tier group to the point that the Orioles will not be comfortable going there.

“No, I think we are very competitve and there are some pitchers we are talking to and hopefully we land one of them,” Duquette said.

“I think the prices at the top of the market have been staggering. Price got a huge contract. Greinke got a big contract. They are the top pitchers in the league. I frankly wasn’t expecting those type of prices. What that tells me is that we have to develop our Kevin Gausmans, our Mike Wrights, our Ty Wilsons. Get the most out of them to help our ballclub.”

Chris Davis orange smile.pngDuquette told reporters tonight that there is nothing new to report on free agent Chris Davis and that he didn’t know which teams made up Davis’ market at this point.

“It’s not appropriate for me to comment about free agents,” he said when asked about Davis. “Those that played for us or any of them, frankly. We’re looking for another outfielder or first baseman. We’d prefer a left-handed hitter. There are a lot of players that are available. Hopefully, we’ll pick some good ones for the fans.”

With the pitching market heating up and plenty of good outfielders still available, this Winter Meetings could be active for both the industry and the Orioles. We could see plenty of trades and free agent signings.

“There will be a lot of movement here. We’re going to try to address our needs to improve our pitching staff. We’ll be looking for a starter and a reliever. Even though we added (Mark) Trumbo last week and L.J. Hoes to our outfield, we think we need to add another outfielder.”



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