masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgNASHVILLE – Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette didn’t wait for the inevitable questions about Darren O’Day. Before anyone from the media could chime in while gathering in his suite at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, he stated that “there’s more work to do” regarding an agreement with the free agent reliever.
Duquette said there’s no “news item” today related to O’Day and he wouldn’t provide a timetable for finalizing an agreement despite earlier…

NASHVILLE – Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette didn’t wait for the inevitable questions about Darren O’Day. Before anyone from the media could chime in while gathering in his suite at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, he stated that “there’s more work to do” regarding an agreement with the free agent reliever.

Duquette said there’s no “news item” today related to O’Day and he wouldn’t provide a timetable for finalizing an agreement despite earlier confirmation on a four-year, $31 million deal.

duquette-smiles-sidebar.jpgDuquette also reminded the media that the club didn’t make any public statements on O’Day.

The sense here remains that O’Day will re-sign with the Orioles, but it’s not a done deal.

I’ll provide more quotes in my next entry. Meanwhile …

* The Orioles’ preference remains a left-handed hitting outfielder.

* Duquette said he’d be OK with five right-handed starters in the rotation, but he’d prefer more balance. In other words, a left-hander to replaced Wei-Yin Chen is more desirable.

* Duquette also suggested that the Orioles would take a longer look at Brian Matusz as a starter in spring training if they fail to sign or trade for a left-hander.

* No updates were available on Chris Davis and Duquette said he didn’t know which teams constituted the market for the free agent first baseman.

* It’s evident that the Orioles are going to give L.J. Hoes a real shot to win a job as a right-handed hitting outfielder.

* Duquette also said there’s been “quite a bit of interest” from other teams in Triple-A first baseman Christian Walker.