Orioles Notes: Soriano, Fatse, Relievers, Reynolds, Damon

The Baltimore Orioles have not had significant conversations with Alfonso Soriano despite being a potentially good fit for each other, according to Jon Paul Morosi.

In other Orioles news and notes, Roch Kubatko is reporting that the team has purchased the contract of Peter Fatse, Dan Connollly looks at possible move (and Camden Chat asks whether an inanimate object would do less damage), and finally, Jeff Passan has an absolutely devastating article on how (and why) the club is being shunned by potential candidates in the front office and on the field alike:

• Twitter / @jonmorosi - "While the #Orioles might appear to be a fit for Alfonso Soriano, a source says the clubs have not had substantive talks. #Cubs"
• School of Roch: Orioles purchase Fatse's contract from independent team
  "He's 24-years old and a former 24th-round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers out of the University of Connecticut in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft. The Brewers took Fatse with the 25th selection in the round, after the Orioles chose left-hander Justin Anderson with the fourth. He spent two years in Milwaukee's system before signing with independent Pittsfield in 2011."

• Taking a look at the Orioles' remaining free-agent possibilities - baltimoresun.com
  "The Orioles seemingly would like to obtain another reliever. Chad Qualls, Joel Zumaya and Dan Wheeler could all be options, as could Francisco Cordero, who was given his first chance to close by Orioles manager Buck Showalter in Texas. There are also starting pitcher options – Joel Pineiro, Bartolo Colon and Livan Hernandez – but given their wear and age, they aren’t ideal puzzle pieces. Role players like Wilson Betemit, who would be a good bat to have, is a bargain-bin possibility. "
• Baltimore remains a dead-end destination - Jeff Passan | Yahoo! Sports
  "...Which is to say the Orioles look a whole lot like last season’s underachieving outfit. Not even the turnaround king himself, manager Buck Showalter, found enough talent or fortitude to forge ahead in the AL East. Players remain ever wary of coming to Baltimore because of concerns over the demanding Showalter and a franchise whose owner, Peter Angelos, plays puppeteer from afar."
• Mark Reynolds to handle hot-corner duties for Orioles in 2012 - Brittany Ghiroli | mlb.com
  "Reynolds' 31 errors led the American League last season, and it tied him for third most in a single season in Orioles history. Of the 31 miscues, 26 were at third base, making it hard to argue when Reynolds calls his performance in 114 games at third base embarrassing."
• Should the Orioles Just Install a Pole At Third Base? - Camden Chat
  "The 2011 Orioles featured one of the worst third basemen in recent history. The 2012 Orioles want that same man back at third. Wait, what?"
• Johnny Damon Drawing Interest from Baltimore Orioles - MLB Daily Dish
  "Jon Heyman is reporting that the Baltimore Orioles are interested in Damon's services, and the Mariners and A's could be in on him as well. And he really wants you to know that Damon has been on 6 AL teams already. Grant Brisbee at Baseball Nation points out that there's not exactly a lot of teams that both need a DH and have the money to spend on a player like Damon..."