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After losing starters Scott Feldman and Jason Hammel to free agency, it's no secret that the Baltimore Orioles are going to look for starting pitching this winter. According to reports, Feldman is still open to a reunion with the team, but is also drawing interest from the Twins and Yankees. Hammel is unlikely to re-sign with the Orioles, and Jon Morosi of FOXSports.com noted on Wednesday that the Giants are seriously interested in signing him.
Due to the uncertainty surrounding their rotation, the Orioles are casting a wide net in their search for starting pitching. According to MASNSports.com's Roch Kubatko, the team is intrigued by free agent starter Tim Hudson, and will monitor his rehab process this winter.
As noted on Tuesday, as many as ten teams are interested in signing Hudson, and the market for him is heating up.
Scott Kazmir also may be a name to watch for the O's. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reported yesterday that the left-hander is high on the team's list of available pitchers, and many have noted that his previous success in the AL East would make him an ideal candidate to come to Baltimore.
A source confirms that Baltimore is one of seven teams talking to free agent starter Bronson Arroyo. While they remain in talks with the 37-year old, the Twins have emerged as a favorite to sign Arroyo, according to reports.
The Orioles are also active on the trade market, and may attempt to acquire available starters like Max Scherzer, Jeff Samardzija and David Price this winter. According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, the team recently discussed the possibility of trading shortstop J.J. Hardy to the Cardinals for young starter Shelby Miller, but were told that there is no deal to be made. While a Miller-for-Hardy deal may not be a fit at this time, the Cardinals' need for a shortstop and wealth of young pitching may match up well with Baltimore's willingness to trade Hardy and need for rotation pieces.
As Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com has reported over the past two days, the Orioles are willing to move catcher Matt Wieters this offseason if the right deal comes up. With many teams throughout the league looking for catching help, the O's are likely to dangle Wieters on the trade market in an attempt to gain starting pitching, and then could sign one of the available free agent catchers.
With so many names attached to them, the Orioles are sure to be busy this offseason. They are also looking at offensive and bullpen upgrades, and reports indicate that they have interest in Brian Wilson, Carlos Beltran, and trade candidate Ike Davis.
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