Sun sports columnist Peter Schmuck says it wouldn't surprise him if the Orioles don't make any moves at Major League Baseball's Winter Meetings unless they can make the perfect deal. (Steve Sullivan and Brian Waters/Baltimore Sun)

1:12 p.m. EST, December 5, 2012
Don’t hold your breath waiting for the Orioles to cough up big money for outfielder/first baseman Nick Swisher. The Boston Red Sox have – for the moment – radically pushed up the price of free agent position players with their three-year, $39 million signing of Shane Victorino.

Maybe that was the idea, since it’s hard to imagine anybody really believing that Victorino is a $13 million player.  Didn’t he bat .255 last season with 11 homers and 55 RBI in 666 plate appearances last year?

Swisher would be a nice fit for the Orioles from a strategic standpoint, since he can play both first base and the two corner outfield positions, but it’s pretty clear that Dan Duquette wants to trade for somebody who won’t cost the Orioles more than one arm and a few legs.

It would be interesting to bring Swisher into the mix. He’s one of the opposing players Orioles fans most love to hate, because of his histrionics and obnoxious Yankee swagger. I suspect that they would hate to love him, but they wouldn’t mind having what he brings to the table.

Don’t get your hopes up.