World Champions 1983, 1970, 1966 American League Champions 1983, 1979, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1966 American League East Division Champions 2014, 1997, 1983, 1979, 1974, 1973, 1971, 1970, 1969 American League Wild Card 2016, 2012, 1996 Wednesday, January 4, 2017 Columns: Orioles free agency reset: What they still need, and who's left on the market The Sun 1/4 Orioles sign former top prospect Jesus Montero The Sun 1/3 Source: O's, Montero agree to Minors deal MLB.com 1/3 This, that and the other MASNsports.com 1/4 Orioles sign Montero to minor league deal MASNsports.com 1/3 Prospect profile: Brian Gonzalez made solid improvements in 2016 MASNsports.com 1/4 Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman provide hope for future rotations MASNsports.com 1/3 What Are The Chances These Free Agents Return To The Orioles? PressBoxOnline.com 1/3 Myriad O’s Thoughts: Mark Trumbo’s market and Jesus Montero’s upside BaltimoreBaseball.com 1/3 What It’s Like to Go to the Orioles’ Fantasy Camp Sarasota Magazine 12/30 http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-free-agency-reset-what-they-need- and-who-s-left-on-the-market-20170103-story.html Orioles free agency reset: What they still need, and who's left on the market By Jon Meoli / The Baltimore Sun January 4, 2017 The collective baseball world woke from its winter break this week to start a post-Edwin Encarnacion era of free agency, with the urgency level creeping up for teams to settle their offseason business. With the reported agreement between outfielder Rajai Davis and the Oakland Athletics, the market on outfielders is starting to shake out, and that means candidates for the 2017 Orioles are coming off the board. Davis was just one of many players the Orioles had on their radar for their most glaring need at this point — an outfielder who, if not an everyday right fielder, will be part of a platoon with returning outfielders Joey Rickard and Hyun Soo Kim at the corner spots. And though team officials have said rookie Trey Mancini could be the everyday designated hitter, they’re also skeptical of evaluating players exclusively off September performance in the majors. That means an everyday designated hitter could be on the shopping list as well. Here’s a list of the top players still available on the free agent market who could fill the Orioles’ needs in the outfield or at designated hitter (or both) before the players report to spring training in six weeks. Mark Trumbo Just as last year’s Orioles offseason had a Chris Davis-sized cloud over it into January, this year’s edition is painted by the protracted courtship of Trumbo. Last year’s 47-home run man would probably be more welcome back as a designated hitter than a right fielder, given the team’s stated interest in improving the outfield defense, but the market is only recently becoming clear for Trumbo. He turned down the Orioles' $17.2 million qualifying offer, has a draft pick attached to him in free agency and just saw Encarnacion set the slugger market with a deal worth three years and $65 million guaranteed. A short-term deal worth more than the qualifying offer would be ideal for him, but maybe not for the Orioles. Angel Pagan A name manager Buck Showalter said was firmly on the team’s radar at last month’s winter meetings remains available, with the 35-year-old outfielder coming off a year in which he batted .277 with a .750 OPS for the San Francisco Giants. He’s a switch-hitter who holds his own from both sides of the plate and plays capable defense, making him a nice veteran complement to what the Orioles already have in the corners. Davis’ reported $6 million deal with Oakland could be the going rate for veteran extra outfielders this offseason. Executive vice president Dan Duquette said last month that the market was surprisingly high for this type of player. Luckily for him, there are plenty of options still left. Colby Rasmus This one checks a lot of boxes the Orioles seem to covet — power hitter with contact issues who could benefit from playing in Camden Yards — and Rasmus comes with the added benefit of being a capable defender at all three outfield positions. Rasmus’ .206 average in 2016 was the worst of his career, but is just a year removed from a year that saw him hit 50 extra-base hits for the Astros. He could be a good fit for the Orioles, a team that has gotten the most out of inconsistent but talented players before. Pedro Alvarez In terms of a strict designated hitter, Alvarez makes all the sense in the world if the Orioles want to bring him back. His deal last year was worth a shade under $6 million, and he hit 22 home runs as a platoon DH. For something in that price range, the Orioles could bring him back and play Mancini against left-handed pitching. Brandon Moss The former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder, like Alvarez, showed big power in a limited role last year, but did so while playing both corner outfield spots and first base. It’s unclear whether he can hold up as a full-time outfielder at age 33, but the Orioles would be plenty accommodating to find ways to get a bat that swatted 28 home runs a season ago and has averaged 25 a year over the last five seasons with an .803 OPS into their lineup as much as possible. Other possibilities: designated hitter Chris Carter, outfielder Coco Crisp, outfielder Chris Coghlan. http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-orioles-montero-0104-20170103-story.html Orioles sign former top prospect Jesus Montero By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun January 3, 2017 The Orioles added a peculiar offseason reclamation project this week, agreeing to terms with first baseman/designated hitter Jesus Montero on a minor league deal, according to an industry source. Montero, 27, has struggled to live up to his billing as one of the game's top prospects. Montero will be ineligible to play for the season's first 50 games of the upcoming season following a September suspension for testing positive for dimethylbutylamine, a banned stimulant. It was his second violation of the league's drug policy. Montero's suspension is without pay. Montero, then a catcher in the New York Yankees' organization, was the No. 3-ranked prospect according to Baseball America entering the 2011 season. He was traded to the Seattle Mariners one year later in a deal that landed the Yankees starting pitcher Michael Pineda. Montero hit .260/.298/.386 with 15 homers and 62 RBIs in his first season in Seattle, but in 2013 he was suspended 50 games for his part in the Biogenesis scandal, which involved a health clinic sending players performance-enhancing drugs. The penalty carried over into the 2014 season. Montero never panned out as a catcher, and has played first base and designated hitter exclusively since 2014. Last season, he played for the Blue Jays' Triple-A team, hitting .317/.349/.438 with 11 homers and 60 RBIs in 126 games before his suspension was announced after the minor league season. It's not certain whether Montero's deal with the Orioles includes an invitation to major league camp this spring. The move was first reported by Fan Rag Sports. http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/212769762/orioles-jesus-montero-agree-to-minors-deal/ Source: O's, Montero agree to Minors deal By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com January 3, 2017 BALTIMORE -- The Orioles have agreed to a Minor League deal with Jesus Montero, according to a source, though he will be ineligible for the first part of the season. The club has not confirmed the deal. The catcher-turned-first baseman, who spent last year with Toronto's Triple-A Buffalo team, was suspended 50 games after testing positive for a stimulant, his second penalty for a banned substance. Because the suspension was announced in September after the Minor League season was over, it will begin in 2017. Montero, who will not attend big league camp with the O's, was also suspended for 50 games in August 2013 for his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal. The 27-year-old Montero has played parts of five seasons in the big leagues, coming up with the Yankees as a catcher in 2011. He made one career start for Seattle at first base in '14 and then appeared at first for the bulk of his 38 games for the Mariners the following season. He did not advance past the Minors last year. Montero hit .317/.349/.438 with 24 doubles, 11 home runs and 60 RBIs in 126 games for Buffalo last year. His signing was first reported by MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman. http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/01/this-that-and-the-other-135.html This, that and the other By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com January 4, 2017 Another outfielder is off the board while the Orioles try to figure out who’s playing right for them on opening day. The Athletics signed Rajai Davis to a one-year deal last night worth a reported $6 million guaranteed. He’s no longer an option for the Orioles, who are intrigued by him every winter without reaching an agreement. The Orioles would prefer a left-handed hitter, so Davis wasn’t an ideal fit. He’s also 36 and owns a career .314 on-base percentage.