masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgOutfielder Mark Trumbo figures to draw significant interest in the free agent market and is ready to test it.
Trumbo has rejected the Orioles’ qualifying offer, walking away from a guaranteed $17.2 million in exchange for longer-term security.
The Orioles want to re-sign Trumbo and are prepared to join the bidding after he led the majors with 47 home runs. They’d prefer to use him primarily as the designated hitter and find a better defender in right field.
If Trumbo signs with another team,…

Outfielder Mark Trumbo figures to draw significant interest in the free agent market and is ready to test it.

Trumbo has rejected the Orioles’ qualifying offer, walking away from a guaranteed $17.2 million in exchange for longer-term security.

The Orioles want to re-sign Trumbo and are prepared to join the bidding after he led the majors with 47 home runs. They’d prefer to use him primarily as the designated hitter and find a better defender in right field.

If Trumbo signs with another team, the Orioles will receive a compensatory draft pick in return.

Trumbo-Runs-Orange-Sidebar.jpgTrumbo batted .256/.316/.533 with 27 doubles and 108 RBIs in 159 games and earned his second berth in the All-Star Game. The home runs, RBIs, slugging percentage and .850 OPS were career highs.

Since the final out in the wild card game, Trumbo has twice been named Comeback Player of the Year in the American League – by Sporting News and the Players Choice Awards – and received his first Silver Slugger Award.

The Orioles acquired Trumbo from the Mariners on Dec. 2 for backup catcher Steve Clevenger. He made $9.15 million after reaching agreement on a contract on Jan. 14 and avoiding an arbitration hearing. He turns 31 in January.

No one in the organization expected Trumbo to accept a one-year deal. Today’s news was anticipated.

Ten players were given the qualifying offer, with Trumbo the only Oriole. The club didn’t extend it to catcher Matt Wieters.

Three players accepted it in 2015, including Wieters. The list of players rejecting it this year includes Jose Bautista, Yoenis Cespedes, Ian Desmond, Edwin Encarnacion, Dexter Fowler, Kenley Jansen and Justin Turner.

Phillies pitcher Jeremy Hellickson accepted the offer, according to multiple reports. No word on Mets infielder Neil Walker as the 5 p.m. deadline approached.

Notes: Orioles closer Zach Britton and wife Courtney welcomed daughter Zilah Mae into the world on Thursday. Everyone is doing fine.

Catcher Wynston Sawyer, 25, signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers, according to his Twitter account.

Sawyer batted .243/.339/.358 in seven seasons in the Orioles’ system.