Orioles rumors: Joe Saunders, Shaun Marcum

While the Baltimore Orioles seem to be focusing on adding an impact hitter at this point in the offseason, the O’s should be targeting a starting pitcher such as Joe Saunders or Shaun Marcum, according to Steve Melewski of MASN Sports:

Even though many seem to feel getting a hitter is the bigger priority right now, I am from that camp that says you never have enough pitching so pursuing Saunders, Marcum or both works for me.

The Orioles have been tied to Saunders, who the team acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks late last summer. While they haven’t been connected as much with Marcum, the right-hander would seem to fit the mold of veteran starter the O’s are targeting.

Melewski adds that if the Orioles are able to add to what is suspected to be a surplus of starting arms "it just makes it easier to part with pitching for hitting via a trade." As far as which players Baltimore could potentially pursue, Melewski notes that talks involving Kansas City Royals first baseman/designated hitter Billy Butler never seemed to have much traction. He also brings up the names of Washington Nationals slugger Mike Morse and free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche.