DALLAS – Two deals have been announced today – both involving pitchers. And at least one of those pitchers had interested the Orioles.
The Colorado Rockies acquired Minnesota Twins pitcher Kevin Slowey for a player to be named later – later being after Thursday's Rule 5 draft, one can assume.
The Orioles had some mild interest in Slowey, a 27-year-old right-hander who was 0-8 with a 6.67 ERA last year, but there was no real match with the Twins.
Just a few moments ago, another deal was announced. The Toronto Blue Jays gave up minor league right-hander Nestor Molina to the Chicago White Sox for Sergio Santos, who saved 30 games for Chicago last season.
Don’t know whether the Orioles were trying to get in on Santos, but they seem to be exploring any pitching options possible. So if a closer type was available for a minor leaguer, I’m sure they at least vetted the possibility.
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That's the beauty of the winter meetings. Teams talk a billion scenarios – some of which get leaked to the media and few of which actually occur.
I've been walking the hotel lobby for a few hours, and here are some things that I found interesting, but perhaps not interesting enough to try to disguise as news.
Former Orioles infielder Miguel Tejada is in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., working out in the same program that helped improve his conditioning before the 2010 season, when the Orioles signed him for a second time. There won't be a third. Miggy's always loved Baltimore, but there's not a fit there.
I'm hearing that as active as the Orioles want to be in trades, there is an obvious roadblock. They don't want to deal away the players other teams most covet. I still think something gets done, but it likely won't be easy. Especially if they won't dangle young pitching, Adam Jones, Jeremy Guthrie or even Robert Andino.
At least one Orioles official said "no chance" on the club dealing for the Chicago Cubs' Alfonso Soriano, who is expensive, almost 36 and isn't a good defender. But I guess you can never say never.
By the way, I saw Dan Duquette and new special assistant Lee Thomas huddled in the lobby talking intently. When I jokingly asked Duquette what deal he was making, he smiled and said they were just ordering lunch.
I’m not buying that one.