Duquette

When Aubrey Huff passed his physical yesterday, finalized a three-year, $20 million deal and was introduced as the newest Oriole, it likely represented the last major move for the club in a busy offseason. The Orioles signed nine free agents, including two of their own, and made two trades. The bullpen was overhauled, the starting rotation received a new member and the lineup was bolstered by two veterans with solid track records. "It's one of those things where we don't know how good we are at this point," said Orioles executive vice president Mike Flanagan, who called Huff the type of hitter the club has been seeking all offseason.

Paul Konerko and B.J. Ryan are off the Orioles' wish list, but club officials are still examining options to improve the team as Monday's opening of the winter meetings in Dallas approaches. One club source said the team is concentrating much of its efforts toward improving the starting rotation through trade or free agency. Among possible trade targets is New York Mets right-hander Kris Benson, 31, who was 10-8 last year with a 4.13 ERA. Orioles executive vice president Mike Flanagan confirmed that the club has spoken to the Mets about Benson, but said no deal for him or anyone else was imminent.

The Orioles signed center fielder Corey Patterson yesterday to a one-year deal, leaving starting pitcher Erik Bedard as the club's only remaining arbitration-eligible player. Patterson will make a base salary of $4.3 million in 2007, the midpoint between the Orioles' offer ($4 million) and the number ($4.6 million) filed by Patterson's agent, Scott Boras. "The process is made to negotiate a deal," Orioles vice president Jim Duquette said. "We've had a willingness and a track record here of winning arbitration cases, but you never want to go. It's only when you feel like the other side is being unreasonable when you want to go. There were a couple of signings within the class that made it apparent that a midpoint settlement would be a proper one."

Jamie Moyer, the 49-year-old lefty and former Oriole who pitched three games for Triple-A Norfolk this month, asked for and was granted his release Saturday because he hadn't been promoted to the big league club. “Jamie's a veteran, and he certainly had the right to decide what he decided,” said Duquette, who signed Moyer in early June and said Moyer would make three starts before the club would decide on a promotion. Moyer did his part, going 1-1 with a 1.69 ERA and allowing just 11 hits and no walks in 16 innings while striking out 16. But there were two issues at play.

Before the Orioles had a chance to write Carlos Lee's name into their lineup, they first had to draw a line. What were they willing to spend on the free-agent outfielder? How much was too much? Apparently, six years and $100 million was further than they wanted to go. That's what it cost the Houston Astros to sign Lee yesterday to the richest contract in franchise history. And that's why the Orioles are still searching for another bat. "We were seriously in it," said Jim Duquette, the club's vice president of baseball operations.

BOSTON -- The Orioles are scheduled to face Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett and A.J. Burnett over the next five days, but they are not scheduled to face a left-handed starter during that stretch. In past seasons, that would have been good news for the Orioles, but that's not necessarily the case this year. After beating Tampa Bay Devil Rays starter Casey Fossum on Thursday, the Orioles improved their record to 6-7 in games started by an opposing left-hander, and the record is slightly misleading considering that the Orioles pounded New York Yankees left-hander Kei Igawa, but saw their bullpen blow a big lead.

Rafael Palmeiro says he's appalled by Marion Jones' insincerity and dishonesty. Just so I understand: The NBA has a player dress code, but not a team executive harassment code, right? Not to pretend to be a football expert or anything, but maybe this afternoon against the 49ers, the Ravens could try running the ball. With the back they traded three picks to get, dumped their all-time career rushing leader to make room for, and are paying $40 million to keep. Whether the Orioles will regret Jim Duquette's leaving depends on whom Andy MacPhail gets to replace him. But Duquette is a good enough personnel man to put the regret ideas in the back of your head someday.

The Orioles' bullpen is now fully stocked and the starting pitching staff has been buoyed by the addition of Jaret Wright. But as the Orioles' top executives survey an ever-changing roster, there remains a gaping hole in left field. At a pre-winter meeting luncheon with local reporters yesterday at Camden Yards, executive vice president Mike Flanagan and vice president Jim Duquette said that the front office has taken on a singular focus since a flurry of activity this offseason has already landed the club seven new players.

The philosophy that made the Orioles so agreeable about trading for Kris Benson last year was embraced again over the weekend. If you can get a starting pitcher for a reliever, do it. Looking to upgrade their rotation and act aggressively in the process, the Orioles obtained Jaret Wright from the New York Yankees for Chris Britton - a deal that became official once the commissioner's office approved it yesterday. The Yankees will assume $4 million of Wright's contract, leaving the Orioles responsible for the remaining $3 million, which they considered a bargain for a starter who is 68-57 in 10 seasons.

While the Orioles' biggest star was excited about not being dealt at yesterday's non-waiver trade deadline, another one of the club's most expensive players was far from thrilled. Designated hitter Javy Lopez said he was hoping he would learn that he'd be shipped off to a place where he could catch full time - or at least more than he is doing with the Orioles. Instead, the trade deadline came and went, and Lopez - like All-Star shortstop Miguel Tejada - remained in the Orioles' clubhouse.