masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles are still trying to determine their level of interest in Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. The next step is for Fred Ferreira, their executive director of international recruiting, to take another look at him.

Ferreira will head to the Dominican Republic in about 10 days to watch Cespedes work out. This will be his first look at the 26-year-old Cuban defector since shortly after the Winter Meetings in December.

Ferreira has been reading reports provided by a few of his scouts…The Orioles are still trying to determine their level of interest in Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. The next step is for Fred Ferreira, their executive director of international recruiting, to take another look at him.

Ferreira will head to the Dominican Republic in about 10 days to watch Cespedes work out. This will be his first look at the 26-year-old Cuban defector since shortly after the Winter Meetings in December.

Ferreira has been reading reports provided by a few of his scouts during the Dominican Winter League.

The Marlins are meeting today with agent Adam Katz in Miami. They are viewed as one of the favorites to sign Cespedes, along with the Cubs, but it could cost $60 million over six years.

Ferreira also will scout 19-year-old Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler while he’s in the Dominican. Soler won’t cost as much as Cespedes, but he might have to begin his career at the Single-A level.

Ferreira, who lives in Fort Lauderdale, has watched Manny Ramirez take batting practice in Miami. So have representatives from a lot of other American League teams.

Apparently, Ramirez still has impressive bat speed, but you can only glean so much from BP sessions.

One final note: The Orioles will play their last exhibition game on April 4 against the Triple-A Norfolk Tides at Harbor Park. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.

I’ll be flying back home from Sarasota that morning, but I’m sure MASNsports.com will provide coverage of the game.