Baltimore Orioles: Winter Meetings 2016 (Day 1 Thread)

It’s Day 1 of the 2016 Winter Meetings! Stay here all day where we’ll keep you updated on all the rumblings regarding the Baltimore Orioles!

Today is the first day of the 2016 Winter Meetings in National Harbor, Maryland. The Orioles aren’t notoriously known for making blockbuster deals during these meetings, but they are in the hunt for a catcher, an outfielder and maybe more bullpen pieces.

So for the next four days, make sure to stay tuned to Birds Watcher where we’ll give you the latest rumors and trades.

Over the last few days, the Orioles have been linked to Welington Castillo and Curtis Granderson. Granderson and Castillo would bolster the Orioles with the departure of Matt Wieters and Mark Trumbo. But the question is, do the Orioles have enough pieces to make those deals?

9:17 a.m: The Baltimore Orioles have been in contact with Mark Trumbo this offseason reports Roch Kubatko of MASN. In fact, the Orioles have made two contract offers to the slugger. Dan Duquette didn’t provide specifics.

"“We’ve had several conversations with Mark Trumbo, but we haven’t been able to cinch a deal with him. In the past, we’ve made a couple offers to him. We’ve had a dialogue going with them for several weeks.”More from Orioles NewsBaltimore Orioles Sign RP Mychal GivensGunnar Henderson: Destroyer of Four-Seam FastballsWhich Current Baltimore Orioles Pitchers Have the Best Curveballs?Orioles News: Should the O’s Pursue Eovaldi? + More MLB NewsShould the Baltimore Orioles Consider Signing Nathan Eovaldi?"

The Orioles are still trying to determine Trumbo’s market since he has the qualifying offer attached to him. The Colorado Rockies currently have interest in Trumbo.

"“I’m not sure. He has a qualifying offer, so that’s certainly a consideration. And that’s a consideration for the club, too, because we’d get a draft pick and be able to add to our prospect value. So that’s a consideration. And it will be interesting to see how the free agent market plays out for the qualifying offer players, because in the new basic agreement you can’t be offered the qualifying offer consecutively.“It will be interesting to see what impact that has on the free agent market for the players who have a qualifying offer this year.”"

9:22 a.m: In their search for a right fielder, the Orioles have expressed interest in right fielder Michael Saunders, Roch Kubatko reports:

#orioles have definite interest in Michael Saunders as they try to find a RF. Helps that he's a LH hitter.
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) December 5, 2016

9:43 a.m: The Orioles had interest in bringing Steve Pearce back, but instead he’ll head north of the border to Toronto on a two-year deal, reports Buster Olney of ESPN:

Sources: The Jays and Steve Pearce agree to a two-year, $12.5 million deal.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 5, 2016

Pearce spent part of 2012, 2013 – 2015 and part of 2016 with the O’s. In between, Pearce spent time with the Tampa Bay Rays, the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros.

10:43 a.m: Orioles third baseman Manny Machado is close to hitting the free agent market. And if you were wondering if the Orioles were going to discuss an extension with him, that isn’t the case. At least, not this offseason.

#Orioles Dan Duquette: "We're not actively engaged in long-term extension talks with Manny Machado."
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) December 4, 2016

Machado is slated to hit free agency after the 2018 season, but do the Orioles have enough money to keep him? Probably not, which is why I’m expecting Machado becomes a free agent at the end of his current contract.

12:23 p.m: Edwin Encarnacion is still on the free agent market, and his list of potential suitors are dwindling. His former team the Blue Jays signed Pearce this morning, the New York Yankees signed Matt Holliday last night and the Houston Astros signed Carlos Beltran on Saturday. But are the Orioles one of the teams still interested in Encarnacion?

Not really, reports Jon Morosi of FOX Sports:

It does not appear #Orioles are pursuing Edwin Encarnacion. #Rangers and #Indians (per @JeffPassan) among his viable options. @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 5, 2016

1:15 p.m: The Baltimore Orioles offered a four-year deal to Mark Trumbo. However, Trumbo’s camp wants $80 Million. But they agreed to be flexible and would accept a $70 Million to $75 Million deal, reports Roch Kubato of MASN:

Have heard #orioles made 4-year offer to OF Mark Trumbo. His side looking for $80 mil. But showed flexibility to $70-$75 mil backloaded.
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) December 5, 2016

3:21 p.m: The Baltimore Orioles and Mark Trumbo’s agent have been negotiating. But it doesn’t seem likely the team is going to continue bartering with Trumbo’s camp much longer, reports Buster Olney of ESPN:

Sources: Orioles perceive they are not close in talks with Mark Trumbo, and are prepared to move on to other options.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 5, 2016

Trumbo reportedly wanted a no-trade clause in contract, which the Orioles refused to give him. Jayson Stark of Yahoo Sports reported the Orioles were only willing to offer three years and an option. Trumbo on the other hand wants more years and money.

3:31 p.m: Manny Machado will play for Team Dominican Republic in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

Next: Orioles among teams to pursue Welington Castillo

Make sure to check back with this post all day to see the latest rumblings from the Winter Meetings.

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