Orioles Notes, Rumors: Smoak, Guthrie, Jones, Tae-Hyun

The latest coming out of the Baltimore camp has Britt Ghiroli speculating on what might happen if Seattle lands Fielder -- it would create an environment in which Justin Smoak might suddenly be on the market and the birds would be presumably be very interested. We're also seeing that Jeremy Guthrie and Adam Jones are both big chips in a limited Orioles' arsenal, but you never know with a new GM...

• How about Smoak? - Britt's Bird Watch
  "With all the Rangers ties, here’s another name to keep an eye on –and another reason to monitor the Prince Fielder sweepstakes — Mariners first baseman Justin Smoak. If the M’s make a play and get Fielder, it’s being reported that Smoak would be shopped and, in that hypothetical case, the Orioles would almost certainly have interest."
• Giving up pitching for pitching? - Roch Kubatko
  "Pitcher Jeremy Guthrie might be the Orioles' biggest bargaining chip this winter. Adam Jones rivals him in that category, but executive vice president Dan Duquette seems intent on holding onto the center fielder and perhaps opening dialogue on a contract extension after the holidays."

• Top questions for O's heading into winter meetings - baltimoresun.com
  "He [Duquette] made his first trade (acquiring catcher Taylor Teagarden), signed his first free agent to a 40-man roster spot (infielder Matt Antonelli), hired his first important lieutenant (amateur scouting director Gary Rajsich) and rubbed elbows with other top executives at his first general manager meetings since being fired by the Boston Red Sox in 2002."
• Tae-Hyun Still Considering Offer - baltimoresun.com
  "Chong Tae-Hyun, the South Korean submariner, is still considering the Orioles’ offer as well as a lucrative one from a team in the Korean Baseball Organization. The Orioles’ offer is rumored to be two years and in the $3-plus million range. So the team in the KBO must really want him to stick around Korea."

• Baltimore Orioles Acquire Taylor Teagarden - MLB Daily Dish
  The Baltimore Orioles have added a new back-up for Matt Wieters, as Jon Heyman of SI.com has reported that they've acquired catcher Taylor Teagarden from the Texas Rangers. In exchange for Teagarden, the Rangers will receive a minor league pitcher and a player to be named later, according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.