masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgWill today be the day that the Orioles and pitcher Yovani Gallardo reach agreement on a three-year contract?
I didn’t get the sense from executive vice president Dan Duquette that a deal was imminent. There’s still work to be done and it may extend negotiations into the weekend. He didn’t give off a “stay close to your laptop” vibe, and I’m pretty good at picking up on them.
During last night’s “Hot Stove Show” on 105.7 The Fan, I asked manager Buck Showalter whether he expects at…

Will today be the day that the Orioles and pitcher Yovani Gallardo reach agreement on a three-year contract?

I didn’t get the sense from executive vice president Dan Duquette that a deal was imminent. There’s still work to be done and it may extend negotiations into the weekend. He didn’t give off a “stay close to your laptop” vibe, and I’m pretty good at picking up on them.

During last night’s “Hot Stove Show” on 105.7 The Fan, I asked manager Buck Showalter whether he expects at least one new player in camp when spring training starts next week.

“Yes,” he replied without hesitation.

“I’m not coveting other people’s players or free agents, but at the same time, anything that improves the Orioles, I’m for.”

duquette-showalter-mic-sidebar.jpgIf Showalter were a betting man, would he expect the new face to belong to a starting pitcher or outfielder/leadoff man?

“I don’t know,” he replied. “We already have a leadoff hitter. If another guy who presents that potential comes in, then we’ll go there, too.

“It would be hard for someone to argue that there was a better leadoff hitter in baseball last year than Manny Machado. Where he hits this year will be dictated by where we are at the end of spring, and we all know there’s some potential additions and subtractions coming.

“Understand that every time you make an addition, you’re making a subtraction, whether it’s coming off the 40-man roster because it’s full or a draft pick might go away. There’s a price to pay for everything, but if you’re scared, you need to stay on the porch.”

Duquette never likes to talk about free agents, citing how it’s against the “rules,” but he took a question about Gallardo.

“I can tell you that we’re trying to upgrade our pitching staff. A 13-game winner would do that, right?” Duquette said.

“Gallardo’s been a good pitcher over his career. He did well in the National League with Milwaukee and he also pitched good (last) year with Texas and he pitched well in the playoffs. That’s why teams would have interest in him. And he’s been very dependable. Thirty starts seven years in a row. There’s very few players that have done that. That’s something that we’ve been trying to add to our pitching staff all winter and we’re still working on it.”

Asked whether a starter or outfielder with leadoff skills ranked highest on his list of priorities, Duquette said he’d lean more toward the pitcher. “But both would be helpful,” he added.

Having five right-handers in the rotation wouldn’t force the Orioles to keep a left-hander as a long man in the bullpen. If they do decide to go that route, T.J. McFarland wouldn’t necessarily be the automatic choice.

I’d still rank McFarland as the favorite if the Orioles want a third left-hander in the bullpen, but Duquette also mentioned Chris Jones, who registered a 2.94 ERA in 30 games (22 starts) at Triple-A Norfolk last season.

Duquette also listed right-handers Tyler Wilson and Odrisamer Despaigne as possibilities for long relief.

Duquette would like for McFarland to improve his breaking ball. It should be a point of emphasis in spring training.

If the minor league season started today, I’d expect to find Chris Lee, David Hess and Parker Bridwell in Double-A Bowie’s rotation. There doesn’t appear to be room at Norfolk, though that’s certainly subject to change.

Showalter said 14 players were working out at the Ed Smith Stadium complex on Wednesday. The early arrivals will continue to grow.

“It’s an open door policy,” he said. “Guys come down. It’s informal, but it’s formal. We have coaches there in Sarasota. It’s a year-round presence. It’s a real advantage for us. I’m very proud of the number of guys who are already down there.”

OK, I’m wrapping up this entry with a question. If the Orioles add one bat, which of the following would you prefer:

1. Dexter Fowler
2. Jay Bruce
3. Pedro Alvarez
4. Other

Keep in mind that acquiring Bruce in a trade would require the Orioles to part with some prospects.