Baltimore Orioles: 8 Free Agents They Could Target If They Open Their Wallet

Spending lots and lots of money in the free agent market can help any team become a winner.

Unfortunately, the Orioles don't have the kind of money to completely re-do their 25 man roster through the free agent market.

And let's face it, they're really not a big piece or two away from contention...

Regardless, big name free agent signing are always fun. They can be an almost sure-fire help to their new team, and will energize any fan base.

The fact that the Orioles' fan base is in desperate need of something to cheer for doesn't need explaining.

With this offseason's free agent class not projecting to be one that's very full of top-notch talent, the O's will have few realistic targets to better their team.

But if owner Peter Angelos (pictured) decides he should spend some of his precious MASN money, the O's could bring in any one or multiple of the following players. Not that they'd be an automatic ticket into October, but their addition(s) could be fun all the same.

Keep in mind, the only players who will be listed are those that project to get a large paycheck with their new deal, as the "Open Their Wallets" in the slideshow's title suggests, based on team needs headed into the offseason. Just like their inclusion in this piece doesn't mean it's likely they'd come to Baltimore. And just because a player is left off doesn't mean that the O's couldn't have interest in them.

Prince Fielder; First Baseman

The Brewers' big (hitting) first baseman isn't known to be a great defender, but he's easily one of the best power and all-around hitters in baseball.

In a move to the American League, he could become a DH right away or down the road, which could help his career thrive more, considering his body build. He'd be similar to the Boston Red Sox's David Ortiz.

The Orioles are in desperate need of a legitimate number four hitter, a big left-handed bat, a stable presence at the first base position, and a star presence. Fielder also brings postseason experience to the table.

Fielder may not be worth the kind of money the New York Yankees' Mark Teixeira and Boston's Adrian Gonzalez got due to his inferior defense, but he can easily hit on their level, probably even higher.

I wouldn't be expecting to see Fielder in an O's uniform in 2012, though.

Albert Pujols; First Baseman

As mentioned, the Orioles need a first baseman.

Albert Pujols is a first baseman. He is also the best player in the majors.

He's not coming to Baltimore. There's no way the Orioles could afford him, and frankly, I wouldn't like to see him get a ten year deal with the club, because that would mean he'd be playing with them into his 40's.

Albert's a machine (hence his nickname), but no one can predict how any player will play when they get to be that age. And with the superstar salary he'll be getting, it won't be worth it. He'd clog up the O's team payroll way too much.

Still, his pending availability (assuming the St. Louis Cardinals can't reach a deal with him during the club's exclusive negotiating window after the playoffs end) means the need to fit him for O's attire is a possibility, however small that possibility actually is.

Honestly, I'd hate to see him leave St. Louis...

Chris Carpenter; Starting Pitcher

Chris Carpenter used to be one of the best pitchers in baseball, but now he's getting a little bit up there in age, and his 2011 season hasn't been ace-like.

Still, the O's need a front-line starter, and may decide to take a shot at signing the big righty.

The Cards do have a $15 million option for 2012, but they are likely not going to pick that up. Not after he's gone 8-8 with a 3.57 ERA thus far this year. Not a bad line by any means, but definitely not worth $15 million for one year.

Also, what happens with his teammate Albert Pujols in terms of a contract with the Cardinals will likely effect what they do with Carpenter. The Cardinals can only afford so much, so they may need to cut some costs in order to retain Pujols, or cut Pujols in order to put money towards other players.

Don't hold your breath to see Carpenter with the O's, but I also wouldn't be very surprised to see them offer him a modest one or two year deal.

Michael Cuddyer; Super Utility

Cuddyer wouldn't demand a really high paycheck, but he'd still be worth some dollars, because he's a solid player for any team, and a great clubhouse guy.

Depending on how current O's left fielder Nolan Reimold performs for the rest of the season, the O's could be looking for a new one come this winter, and Cuddyer would fit them nicely. Team management loves to have good clubhouse guys around, and the best part of all (because it fits in with the O's signature move) he wouldn't break the bank like other more high-profile free agents would!

Expect the O's to have some interest, and maybe even offer him a deal, if not for him to play left then to play first, but I think that the Minnesota Twins resign him. He's been a staple in the Twin Cities for a long time, and he's a fan favorite.

Honorable Mention: Josh Willingham. " The Hammer" has been more consistent throughout his career in terms of power. He could be targeted by the O's for the same use as Cuddyer, but he probably won't be paid enough to be considered to make this list.

Lance Berkman; First Baseman/ Corner Outfielder

Another Cardinal, "Fat Elvis" is having one heckuva resurgent season. He's pretty much carried the Cards' offense when Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday went down on separate occasions. It's fair to question whether the Cardinals would even have an outside shot at the postseason without him.

It's likely that he won't be back in St. Louis after this year, because he'll be wanting a two-to-four year deal from somewhere, with a bit of a pay raise, and simply put, St. Louis can't afford it, not with all their other high-priced free agents primed to hit the market.

Should the O's go after him, it'd be for use at first base or left field, if Berkman can even handle himself at the latter position. He'd probably be better suited at the DH spot, and depending on whether the O's decide to offer the injured Luke Scott arbitration or not, they could be in need there as well.

Between all three of the Cardinals players listed in this slideshow, Big Puma would be the most likely to sign with the O's. However, that likelihood shouldn't be expected to be terribly high.

Mark Buehrle; Starting Pitcher

The Chicago White Sox are kind of in the same boat as the Cardinals: They've got too many highly-paid players to be able to keep them all.

If they aren't able to dump any of those contracts, they may have to let lefty Mark Buehrle walk, and they'd hate to do that.

The O's, however, would love it, if they could get Buehrle to agree to lose for a different team, and lose more often.

Buehrle would fit the number one or two rotation spot starter for the O's that they so desperately need, and being a lefty, he's even more valuable.

While it's unlikely that Buehrle would even consider a perennial loser like the O's, money talks. Don't ve surprised to see reports of interest by the O's should Buehrle hit free agency.

C.J. Wilson; Starting Pitcher

C.J. Wilson is similar to Mark Buehrle, but he's slightly younger with a little more upside-potential.

He's pitched just better than Buehrle has so far in 2011, and would also make for a nice catch for the O's. He probably wouldn't cost as much as Buehrle, either.

I would think that Wilson would be the most likely of any of the starting pitchers listed so far that the Orioles would go after heavily since he's not as high-profile as the others and would therefore cost less.

Don't misunderstand, though: Signing Wilson would not be a cheap, mediocre, typical O's signing. It'd be great for the O's to be able to add this lefty's arm to their rotation. I'd pick him over Buehrle or Chris Carpenter.

Texas is sure to work hard to keep their talented young lefty.

Bullpen Pieces

It seems as though we say this every year, but the Birds' bullpen as a whole could use a lot of work. Especially if current set-up man Jim Johnson is moved back into the starting rotation, a spot he hasn't occupied since the minors a few years back.

Unless you're paying Mariano Rivera, Jonathan Papelbon, or Francisco Rodriguez, a single bullpen piece isn't going to cost a huge amount of money in comparison to the rest of available positions out there, which is why this slide will include more than one player. There just simply isn't that one guy the O's could sign to add to their bullpen that would set records with their deal.

And besides, we all know that's not how the Orioles roll.

This winter will come time for the team's annual bullpen makeover, so they'll likely bring in at least two free agent relievers on smaller deal. If management wants to get fancy though, they could bring in three, maybe even four new bullpen arms at moderate costs.

Look for interest in players like Matt Capps, Jonathan Broxton, and Chad Qualls, as well as former Orioles closers Chris Ray and George Sherrill (pictured). The club is also always looking for lefty-relief help, so keep in mind any half-decent left-handed reliever.