dan o dowd

Shortly after 7 p.m. Monday, Mike Elias will make the selection that will rank among the most important decisions in his tenure as Orioles GM.

The Orioles have made some of their most signficant free agent signings after January 1, but they won't be the only ones with business to be done once the calendar turns.

When Dan Duquette was hired roughly a year ago as the club¿s executive vice president, the Orioles pointed to his impressive track record in the past with the Montreal Expos and Boston Red Sox.