As baseball players continually file for free agency, the Orioles will determine their specific course of action as they go, preferring not to eliminate any potential candidates at the onset of the free-agent period, which begins Nov. 12.
Among their own players who filed earlier this week was Kevin Millar, the veteran fan favorite who came to Baltimore on a one-year contract last winter. Orioles vice president of baseball operations Jim Duquette said the club would be open to Millar?s return. If he returns, Millar?s role will likely be as a reserve right-handed bat.
“We?d like to have him back, and he said he?d like to be back,” Duquette said.
But Millar will likely test the waters first, in hopes of catching on as a starter somewhere.
“We really haven?t had much dialogue in that regard yet,” Duquette said. “I think it?s one of those things where you see where the market goes.”
The Orioles will look to upgrade both first base and left field via free agency and trades. And they?ll also be in the market for a backup catcher.
“It is a position we?re trying to fill and take a little bit of the strain off of Ramon [Hernandez],” Duquette said. “If we can, [we?d like to] take a little bit more of the workload off of him and divide it up between days off and first base.”
Some intriguing catching candidates became available this week when Mike Piazza, Rod Barajas and Gary Bennett ? the World Series champion Cardinals? backup ? filed for free agency.
While the Orioles are in the market for a starting pitcher, it is unlikely the club will pursue Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka, who is still under contract with the Seibu Lions. Any interested club would have to pay a fee for the negotiating rights for the 26-year-old, and that price alone is likely to drive the Orioles in another direction.
“We may get involved because he?s clearly a talent,” Duquette said. “Just on the posting [negotiating fee] alone, I don?t know that it will make a lot of sense.”
