In just 10 major-league innings during the strike-shortened 1994 season, hard-throwing Orioles right-hander Armando Benitez showed he had the potential to become a dominant closer, but the Orioles aren't ready to hand him the job yet.
"A young relief pitcher can pitch well when that experienced person is around to have the burden on him," Orioles manager Phil Regan said. "If you take the lead guy out and put the young guy in, that can change."
Consequently, the Orioles want to open the 1995 season with an experienced closer, even if his name won't necessarily be Lee Smith.
They continue to hold talks with Brian David, agent for Smith, who is mulling over a two-year offer from the California Angels believed to be between $4 million and $4.5 million.
The Orioles appear undecided whether to believe what they saw from Smith, now 37, in the first half of last season or the second half.
In his first 21 appearances covering 20 innings, Smith compiled 20 saves in 21 chances and went 1-0 with a 1.05 ERA. In his last 20 appearances covering 18 1/3 innings, he was 0-4 with a 5.90 ERA and 13 saves in 18 chances.
"We've had some discussions, but it's difficult to know where it's going to go from here," David said.
The Orioles touched base, briefly, with Cleveland Indians reliever Jeff Russell, who went 1-1 with a 4.97 ERA and five saves in 13 games under then-Indians pitching coach Regan after struggling earlier in the season with the Boston Red Sox.
"In my brief conversation with the Orioles, Jeff is a guy they've shown some interest in," said Russell's agent, Alan Hendricks.
Nokes high on O's list
The Orioles have identified left-handed-hitting catcher Matt Nokes as a prime candidate to beef up their bench. He hit .291 with seven home runs for the New York Yankees.
Nokes would not necessarily spell the end of Harold Baines' Orioles career. Nokes, Baines and Chris Hoiles could share DH duties, and Nokes could share catching chores.
The Orioles expressed mild interest in Tony Attanasio clients Kevin Gross, Todd Stottlemyre and Mickey Tettleton, but when the Orioles inquired about giving them physicals, Attanasio informed them of his policy of not having clients take that step until the interested club is ready to make a contract offer.
O'S JOSE? NO WAY
The Texas Rangers still might deal Jose Canseco to the Boston Red Sox, but the deal hit a snag yesterday. Indications were that another team became interested in Canseco, but it likely was not the Orioles.
The Orioles discussed trading for Canseco, but apparently see free-agent right fielder Jay Buhner as a better fit.
The Rangers were seeking reliever Ken Ryan and center fielder Otis Nixon in exchange for Canseco. One possible snag centered on which club would be responsible for Nixon's 1996 buyout of $350,000.