As the Baltimore Orioles brass left the winter meetings Thursday morning, they did so without completing a deal to resign their slugging first baseman, Chris Davis. The Orioles are confident however they made their best effort over the past four days at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.
According to an industry source, the Orioles stood bye their reported seven-year, $150 million offer to Davis on Thursday, despite varying reports – one saying that Baltimore upped its offer and another saying the Orioles have taken their offer completely off the table.
Orioles Waiting On Chris Davis
Dan Duquette, the Orioles executive vice president, wouldn’t discuss the clubs offer to Davis or whether it had changed.
“We don’t have any comment on the rumors,” Duquette said. “Lots of rumors out there.”
When the Orioles arrived in Tennessee, their main objective was signing their power hitting first baseman, instead they left with their patience worn thin, not by Davis as much as his agent Scott Boras. And the more this dispute over Davis’ contract extension drags on, the more it interferes with completing their roster for next season.
“Lots of interest, but now is the time of the year to buckle down and for people to make choices, what they are going to do with their teams and for their players to choose (teams) they are going to play for,” Duquette said.
“I always like to try to get the core of the team before Christmas, but it doesn’t always work that way. It doesn’t always work that way to get that club set up for holidays…. Sometimes you need patience and sometimes you’ve got to move. We’re moving on the things we can move on.”
Duquette has promised the Orioles fans base that the organization would be extremely competitive in their attempt to retain Chris Davis, but at this point the Orioles are still not sure who their competition is for the 29-year-old slugger. And at a time when rumors are usually running rampant, there are no substantial reports of other teams making a serious play for Davis other than the Orioles. Reports this week have suggested that Davis is seeking eight-years, $200 million.
Davis’ agent Scott Boras, is well known for waiting out the market until his client gets the best deal. Boras even said Wednesday he had no interest in making timetables. But in this unique situation and with this type of financial commitment to one player, the Orioles would like to move quickly.
“So it doesn’t always work that way, but it’s better if you can put your building blocks in place before the holidays,” Duquette said. “We’ve got some things to follow up and get our team tuned up. We’re going to have a good ball club. I can see our team coming together. Discussions we had internally were very productive. I can see it coming together.”
The Orioles have reportly spoken to free-agaent outfielder Justin Upton. They still also have interest in left-handed free-agent outfielders Alex Gordon and Denard Span, as well as nontendered lefty Pedro Alarez. They have interest in free-agent arms like left-handed Scott Kazmir and right-hander Yovani Gallardo.
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