The Orioles need to find several starting pitchers and a shortstop. They're expected to seek trade partners for catcher Ramon Hernandez and enigmatic starter Daniel Cabrera. They'll likely be in on at least the early bidding for marquee free agents Mark Teixeira and A.J. Burnett, and less high-profile ones, such as Paul Byrd and Jon Garland.
The unofficial start of the hot stove season will begin today at baseball's general managers meetings in Dana Point, Calif. Orioles president Andy MacPhail will arrive with an extensive to-do list. However, he said the four-day period is far more about setting up the rest of the offseason than making significant moves.
"I think you're looking for people that might match up with you, that would have what we are looking for and might be interested in the things that we could give up," MacPhail said. "I always find you get more done in these face-to-face sessions than over the phone. You're really just trying to lay the groundwork for areas that might be a match."
Trades are rare at the annual GM meetings, though the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies did agree at last year's event to the deal that sent closer Brad Lidge to the eventual world champions. If another deal goes down this week at the St. Regis Resort, MacPhail, one of the most deliberate general managers in baseball, is probably one of the least likely decision-makers to be involved. He listened to offers for shortstop Miguel Tejada and ace pitcher Erik Bedard at last year's GM meetings but didn't trade either player until much later in the offseason.
Per league rules, teams will not be allowed to make offers to free agents until Nov. 14. However, teams are allowed to meet with representatives for free agents to express interest in their clients and discuss certain generalities.
This week, MacPhail will likely try to touch base with Scott Boras and Darek Braunecker, the agents for Teixeira and Burnett, respectively. Teixeira, a slugging first baseman from Severna Park, is one of the top bats on the free-agent market and is expected to garner interest from the game's biggest spenders.
Burnett, a talented right-handed pitcher who is expected to opt out of his contract with the Toronto Blue Jays to become a free agent, also will be coveted, but he's believed to have interest in coming to Baltimore because he has a house in the area.
