So the Orioles didn't get a power-hitting outfielder or a reliever in their Christmas stockings. They did regift and repurchase outfielder-designated hitter Delmon Young – so the 2014 postseason hero will be back in orange and black next season (assuming he passes his physical).
We're heading into the final week of 2014 and the Orioles haven't improved on the club that won 96 games and finished one step away from the World Series. In fact, no matter how executive vice president Dan Duquette wants to paint it, this team is worse than it was in October.
The bad news is it's almost January. The good news – in the Duquette regime anyway – is that it's not even January. So this is not the exact 40-man roster the Orioles will take to Sarasota, Fla. That's a guarantee. There will be some additions that will occur before spring training and before Opening Day.
And, as we've heard plenty of times this offseason, the Orioles will get third baseman Manny Machado and catcher Matt Wieters back for much of – if not all of – the 2015 season.
But even the most patient Orioles fans have to hope that something gets done in the next six weeks or so. My sense is that Duquette will make a trade for an outfielder before pitchers and catchers report. Or maybe he'll sign one of the outfielders still floating out there – Colby Rasmus is the best of a flawed group.
I also wouldn't be surprised if Duquette adds another veteran starting pitcher on a minor-league deal, one who could challenge for a rotation spot at some point in 2015.
My question for you is this: If you were Duquette, what would be your top priority now? Would it be another outfielder, even with Young back in the fold? Would you further bolster the bullpen, despite the addition of left-hander Wesley Wright? Or are you content with bringing back what's left of the 2014 roster and seeing how it fares with Machado and Wieters back?
If you want, be specific with your wish list – shoot for Max Scherzer and James Shields if you like, but those moves aren't going to happen. But tell me the one roster move you would like to be made soon now that so many of your previous choices are off the board.
Daily Think Special: What move to improve the 2015 Orioles should be top priority now?