The Orioles had trade discussions with the Florida Marlins about Scott Olsen, who was sent to the Washington Nationals. They also had some interest in Javier Vazquez, whom the Chicago White Sox traded to the Braves.
"We've made it clear that solidifying our rotation is a priority," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "The groundwork has been laid. We're going to see what we can do."
Other winter meeting story lines for the Orioles:
* MacPhail expects to be asked often about Brian Roberts, whose name in trade talks has become a staple of these meetings. This year should be no different as the Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago White Sox and Cubs, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals are all seeking upgrades at second base.
MacPhail has told other GMs that the Orioles are trying to sign Roberts, who is eligible for free agency after the 2009 season, to an extension rather than trading him. MacPhail and Mark Pieper, Roberts' agent, are expected to meet this week. "Our goal is to extend him," MacPhail said.
* The Orioles want to deal Ramon Hernandez, but that might be a difficult task with the catcher being owed $8 million for next season. Two possible fits are the Houston Astros and Cincinnati Reds, though the Orioles would have to absorb a good chunk of Hernandez's salary to unload him. The Detroit Tigers, also looking for a catcher, don't appear to be an option as they are listed in Hernandez's limited no-trade clause.
* The shortstop market thinned some last week with the San Francisco Giants' addition of Edgar Renteria and the San Diego Padres' trade of Khalil Greene to the St. Louis Cardinals. The Pittsburgh Pirates' Jack Wilson also could be on the move this week.
Still, the Orioles, who don't have a shortstop on their 40-man roster, don't appear to be in any rush to find one. They've had no recent discussions with the representative for free agent Cesar Izturis, seemingly their top choice, and they aren't that interested in injury-prone Bobby Crosby, who has been shopped to them by the Oakland Athletics.
Adam Everett is an option as the Orioles have expressed interest to his agent.
