While the Orioles have not put a monetary lid on free agent spending this offseason, they?ve kept open the possibility of seeking out trades to improve the ballclub. And a report from Friday?s New York Post seems to lend credence toward the club?s desire to make a trade.
The Post reported that the Orioles offered the Yankees starting pitcher Kris Benson and an unnamed relief pitcher for veteran outfielder Gary Sheffield, but were rejected.
Phone calls Monday to Orioles? vice presidents Jim Duquette and Mike Flanagan were not immediately returned.
There has been plenty of talk revolving around the Orioles receiving trade offers for shortstop Miguel Tejada, but this is the first report of the Orioles seeking a trade.
One club official said recently that it?s unlikely the club will move Tejada. And it seems unlikely the club would swing a deal for Rangers first baseman Mark Teixeira, since Texas would reportedly command at least two top-tier pitchers in return.
The Orioles appear to be in the market for, among other things, a No. 3 starter, left fielder and first baseman.
SAMUEL, MEJIAS SERVE DOUBLE DUTY: The additions of new third base coach Juan Samuel and first base coach Sam Mejias will serve more than one purpose for the Orioles in 2007.
Not only will the duo help maneuver players around the basepaths, they?ll also be key in clubhouse communication.
“I think our feeling all along was that we were lacking in the area of a bilingual coach,” Duquette said last week after the Orioles announced several changes to the coaching staff.
First base coach Rick Dempsey returns to the bullpen, while Larry McCall and Orlando Gomez were reassigned.
In particular, the two new base coaches will address an area of concern on a team that features a number of Latin players.
“I?m not sure it was an area of weakness, but it was an area that was lacking in the organization,” Duquette said. “And I think that the number of players ? more than 30 percent in Major League Baseball are Latin players ? it?s one of those things that?s almost glaring when you don?t have a bilingual coach on the staff.”
