From the sound of things, the Orioles front office was ahead of the game and prepared for the free agent market. That preparation has yielded a boost to the pitching staff ? with the acquisition of starter Jaret Wright and four capable veteran relievers.
But the front office was surprised by the heights to which the market soared, particularly for sluggers Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Lee.
“It?s a lot higher [than we thought],” vice president Jim Duquette said. “I think historically, every year there?s a collective bargaining agreement, the market has gone up.”
The Orioles were prepared for that, but even with those estimations, Lee?s contract yielded the outfielder an additional $25 million more than the team expected.
But that hasn?t entirely deterred the club from its search for an impact bat.
“I would say that?s probably on the top of the list at this time,” executive vice president Mike Flanagan said.
Flanagan and Duquette spoke recently about the need to get “creative” in order to add a middle-of-the-order bat.
That creativity is likely to be on display this week in Orlando, as Major League Baseball?s Winter Meetings kick off today in Disney World.
“I wouldn?t discount the fact that we would make a trade along the way,” Flanagan said.
Aside from trading for a big-name first baseman or left fielder, the team might also look into a platoon at both positions. As of now, Kevin Millar ? who signed a one-year contract last week ? is penciled in as the starter at first, while Jay Gibbons is the in-house favorite to start at either designated hitter or left field.
While the team is looking to upgrade both positions, don?t expect the front office to trade for or sign anyone just to do it.
“This is where you have to be conscious because last year there were guys that signed multi-year contracts, and now they?re on the trade block,” Duquette said.
The 2007 free agent class was addressed Thursday, as well. And Duquette admitted that the team is aware of a strong outfield class. Next year, center fielders Vernon Wells, Andruw Jones and Torii Hunter will hit the market in search of big deals.
