Baltimore Orioles Free Agency: 7 Players They'll Be Pushing to Sign This Winter

It's only August, but the Orioles season is over. The only thing left to do is evaluate what talent is on the roster and what needs to be replaced in the offseason.

The Orioles have a lot of needs, most of which must be filled by looking outside of the organization. Among the needs are: a veteran starting pitcher, a viable starting second baseman, a left fielder, and some bullpen help. Chris Davis has entered the picture as the first baseman of the future for now, but the Orioles may look for an upgrade there as well.

When the season wraps up and the Boston-Philadelphia World Series comes to a close, here are the seven most likely names that will be linked to the Baltimore Orioles.

7. Clint Barmes, 2B

Brian Roberts' concussion issues have made it clear that the Orioles need a suitable backup that can take over second base for an extended stretch if Roberts is on the disabled list. That's where infielder Clint Barmes enters the picture.

Barmes hasn't really done anything this season to earn a big contract, so the Orioles may be in luck. Although Barmes has played exclusively at short this year, he could jump in and start at second in place of Robert Andino.

Roberts could be back by Opening Day in 2012, but his durability concerns will likely mean that Baltimore will have to have another solution. Ryan Adams, Robert Andino and Blake Davis have done nothing to show that they can lock down the position, so an upgrade is necessary.

6. Chris Ray, RP

The Orioles were linked briefly to their former closer this past offseason before he ultimately signed with the Seattle Mariners. I think that he'll get some similar talk after this season as well.

Ray was terrific in his early career for the Orioles, but Tommy John surgery derailed his burgeoning career. He hasn't been fantastic this year, but the Orioles could take a chance on him. If they are willing to pay over $1 million to sign Jeremy Accardo, they should be willing to make a play for Ray.

5. Ryan Ludwick, LF

The Orioles need an upgrade in left field. Despite many fans complaining about Vladimir Guerrero hurting the development of Nolan Reimold and Felix Pie, neither player has played very well when given the opportunity in the absence of Luke Scott.

The same skeptics who think it will kill the time of Reimold can be satisfied by letting Reimold become the full-time DH. With Luke Scott's future with the Orioles up in the air, it seems likely that the O's will go another way and Ryan Ludwick could provide another solid athlete to a talented outfield.

Ludwick is a few years removed from his monster season for the Cardinals, but still has value in his experience in the league. He could be a candidate to reclaim his power stroke in the hitter's haven of Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

4. Jason Marquis, SP

The top free agent pitchers in this year's free agent class are probably CC Sabathia, Adam Wainwright, C.J. Wilson, Mark Buehrle and Edwin Jackson. Roy Oswalt could enter the picture as well, but either way, the Orioles aren't going to spend the kind of money to get any of these guys.

The Orioles are going to look for reasonably priced veteran starters to compliment the young pitching staff that is clearly in need of a boost and Jason Marquis could be that guy.

Marquis entered a very similar situation last year when he signed with the Nationals and took until this year to start pitching well. He has been horrible since being traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks, but was otherwise a solid veteran in his time in Washington.

Marquis is the perfect player for the Orioles in terms of experience and price. He won't command a huge salary and the Orioles would do wonders adding his sinker to the depleted rotation.

3. Josh Willingham, LF

The Orioles are fourth in the majors in home runs and are the only team with three 20 home run hitters right now. Josh Willingham could easily push it to four in 2012.

Willingham has 19 bombs this year in the not so hitter-friendly Oakland whatever it's called now. As is the case with bringing in Ludwick, the Orioles would gain a big bat that could launch balls through the thin, Summer air in Baltimore.

Mark Reynolds, J.J. Hardy, Adam Jones, Josh Willingham, and maybe more could make the Orioles and exciting power factory in the AL East.

2. Michael Cuddyer, 1B

Michael Cuddyer is one of the most unselfish player in the majors and any team would be incredibly lucky to have him.

Cuddyer's natural position has been right field, but he has played first, second and even pitched for the Twins when called upon. His willingness to take on any role makes him the kind of player that the Orioles should go after because he plays the game right and could have a profound impact on the younger players.

I chose first base as the position for Cuddyer because he is probably best suited for the position in terms of both his talent and the needs of the team. Cuddyer hits for average and power with patience that the Orioles lack. While adding Guerrero has hurt the Orioles in that they swing at bad pitches more often, Michael Cuddyer could provide the exact opposite effect. He is also a Norfolk, VA native, so he could come back home with a deal from the Orioles.

1. Prince Fielder, 1B

Prince Fielder is the prize of this year's attainable free agent class (Albert Pujols is too high priced for almost every team in the majors). He is young, powerful and only becoming better as he has learned to be more patient.

Fielder has everything the Orioles want in a hitter. He is a left handed hitter with incredible power and the potential to not only affect a pitcher with pitch count, but also force the pitcher to pitch to whoever is in front of him.

A player like Fielder, who can impact the game without even being a part of it, does not come around often, so the bidding will be fierce, but the Orioles have one big advantage. The Red Sox and Yankees both have first basemen for the long haul, so smaller budget teams will likely be competing for his services. The Orioles have the money to make a deal happen, but the only question is if they can.