MLB Free Agency: 18 Free Agents Who Could Bolster the Orioles

The Orioles' season has been over for some time now, and the point where it becomes mathematically impossible for the Orioles to make the playoffs will pass within a couple of days.

It is a grim time to be an Orioles fan, and as Jerry Crasnick's latest article explained, things are not going to turn around quickly. The current focus is now on evaluating who will be an Oriole next season. Familiar faces like Brian Roberts, Jeremy Guthrie, Luke Scott, and general manager Andy MacPhail may not be a part of the 2012 Baltimore Orioles.

I've detailed the targets for this winter before, but things have changed since then. For this, I have isolated six different positions of potential need, and I'll present three realistic candidates for each position.

The six positions I'll look at are: GM, 2B, 3B, LF, SP, and RP.

I'll start by making a couple assumptions. Mark Reynolds has hit enough home runs to keep the Orioles intrigued, but his defense at the hot corner was suspect. As much as O's fans would love to see Prince Fielder in Baltimore, I think it is much more likely that Reynolds will man first base in 2012 after his terrific defensive play there so far.

As Reynolds moves to first, I'm going to assume that Chris Davis' role is up in the air again, and he'll have to compete with a veteran for third.

Here are the 18 players that I think could legitimately be a part of the Orioles' organization in 2012.

GM: John Hart, Texas Rangers/MLB Network

This is pure speculation, and I'm not entirely sure if it is possible, because John Hart is under contract with the Texas Rangers through the 2013 season, but Hart could be the perfect candidate to succeed Andy MacPhail in a general manager–type role for the Orioles. (Although he's technically not a "free agent" because of his contract with the Rangers, I'm going to consider him a GM free agent.)

Hart has a lot of ties to the Orioles' organization. Hart's post-playing professional sports' career began as a minor league coach for the Orioles. He spent six years as a minor league manager for Orioles' affiliates before joining the big-league team as a third base coach for one season in 1988.

Hart also has good ties to Orioles' manager Buck Showalter. While general manager of the Rangers, Hart hired Showalter as the manager of the Texas Rangers in 2002.

As Roch Kubatko also hypothesized, Hart may be the most likely candidate to run the future of the Orioles.

GM: Brian Cashman, New York Yankees

Brian Cashman will be one of the most sought-after general managers in baseball once the Yankees' season is over. Even though he is often doubted because he has a large budget to spend, Cashman has still made incredible moves and has effectively used what has been given to him.

I don't think that Cashman is the best available GM, and I also don't think that the Yankees would let him leave, but he could be a name that Baltimore considers. Joe Torre's exit from New York shows that nobody is safe when the Yankees don't win the World Series.

Cashman graduated from high school and college in Washington D.C., which could prompt him to move back to the surrounding area if he does leave the Yankees. It is certainly possible, but not really probable.

GM: Andrew Friedman, Tampa Bay Rays

I don't think that there is anybody available that is better than Andrew Friedman. Friedman's success with the miniscule Tampa Bay budget has many salivating over the thought of what the soon-to-be 35-year-old could do with more freedom and room for error.

Friedman is another one of the guys that I can't see leaving, but Tampa may not have enough money to afford him. If he feels like he wants to have the freedom of a higher budget, I could see Friedman becoming the highest-paid executive in baseball after a bidding war. I just don't think that the Orioles would be in on that war.

That said, I can't speak to the personal attractions that Friedman might see on the open market. He could want to stick to the East Coast, and that may make the Orioles a great option, but I doubt it. He is just a name to think about.

2B: Clint Barmes, Houston Astros

Clint Barmes hasn't really done much with the bat this year as the shortstop for the Houston Astros, so he probably isn't in line for a big payday. I would compare him a little to Mark DeRosa, as he is a good utility player that has been thrust into a starting role in a position of need.

With Brian Roberts struggling with injuries, the Orioles could use a veteran like Barmes to fill in. Barmes would still be a good player to have if Roberts comes back next season at full strength and plays his way into becoming trade bait.

2B: Ryan Theriot, St. Louis Cardinals

Ryan Theriot is another good utility player that has played both shortstop and second this season. Theriot isn't a free agent after this season, but there is a chance that the Cardinals choose to non-tender Theriot because he is due for a raise from his $3.3 million salary, especially if the Cardinals pick up the $12-million option on Rafael Furcal.

Theriot would probably be more of a fit for the Orioles if they don't expect much from Roberts in 2012, as Theriot will likely be looking for a starting job as an infielder.

2B: Aaron Hill, Arizona Diamondbacks

Aaron Hill's contract runs out this year, but he has options for the next three years. The problem for the Diamondbacks is that the first two are for $8 million each, and Hill is not worth that much, so I would expect that they let him walk as a free agent.

Hill is only an option for the Orioles if they decide to move on from Brian Roberts entirely. Hill is a starter and will get a contract as such, so the Orioles would be making a big decision for the future if they decided to commit to him.

3B: Omar Infante, Florida Marlins

Omar Infante has played all over the diamond in his career and could slot in at third for the Orioles if they decide that Chris Davis is not the answer.

If Davis steps up, Infante could play second as well, so the versatility could be very attractive.

3B: Ian Stewart, Colorado Rockies

Ian Stewart won't be a free agent after the season, but his horrible performance in the majors suggests that the Rockies may be ready to move on instead of tendering Stewart a contract.

Stewart made around $2.3 million this year, and going up from that is rare for a player who hit just .156 in 122 Major League at bats. That may put him back on the market for the Orioles to scoop him up.

It would be tough call because the last time that the Orioles took a down-on-his-luck third baseman from the Rockies, Garrett Atkins joined the team and failed miserably. The plus would be that Stewart could come cheap.

3B: Wilson Betemit, Detroit Tigers

Wilson Betemit has been a valuable trade chip for years now, but has never really found a home. I'm suggesting that the Orioles should continue the trend and take advantage of his talents for a while and deal him to a contender for some value.

Betemit would fit in nicely as both a switch-hitter and pretty good third baseman. He has a much more accurate arm than Mark Reynolds.

LF: David DeJesus, Oakland Athletics

David DeJesus has had a down year, but he has quietly been a solid outfielder for the past few years. If he came over, he could push Nolan Reimold to DH and provide a veteran presence.

DeJesus is a good defender at all outfield positions, so it would be solid for depth and versatility as well.

LF: Juan Pierre, Chicago White Sox

Adding Juan Pierre would go with Brian Roberts being gone, because the Orioles need to find a real leadoff hitter and someone with speed.

J.J. Hardy has been serviceable this season at the top of the order, but he would serve the team better lower in the lineup. The Orioles also do not have a speed threat, as Adam Jones leads the team in steals with just ten. Pierre would be a significant upgrade in both of those departments, as well as defensively in left.

LF: Ryan Ludwick, Pittsburgh Pirates

Ryan Ludwick has never been a guy that hits for average, but his powerful right-handed bat could add to the already-powerful Orioles' lineup.

With a return to form, Ludwick could add to the crop of 20-home-run threats that includes Mark Reynolds, Adam Jones, and J.J. Hardy.

SP: Erik Bedard, Boston Red Sox

The Orioles need some veteran help in the rotation, so their former ace may be a great fit.

It's no secret that the Orioles have horrible starting pitching. Jo-Jo Reyes is not long for this team, and along Brian Matusz's implosion is just another of the 99 problems that the Orioles are experiencing.

Bedard is back to being a very good pitcher and is regaining his strikeout form. He has no problem being a part of the AL East and could easily come back to his old stomping grounds to lead the O's again.

SP: Edwin Jackson, St. Louis Cardinals

The Orioles could really use an ace; Jackson probably isn't one, but he could be a very good addition to the Orioles' rotation.

Jackson has struggled with control in his career and still needs to turn a corner, but he is mostly solid and can be absolutely dominant at times. I watched Jackson shut out the Orioles on three hits when he was a Tiger in 2009, which was just one of his many terrific games. He was even able to no-hit his former team, the Tampa Bay Rays.

Jackson has the stuff to be great, so the Orioles would be smart to acquire his talent.

SP: Brad Penny, Detroit Tigers

As much as many people would love to see the Orioles get an ace, it's more likely that they get a veteran looking for work who would play his way off the Orioles and onto a contender at the trade deadline.

Brad Penny has had a very bad year, but he has soaked up innings and keeps fighting through the tough starts. He isn't going to lead the staff as an ace, but he could be a good guy to help lessen the load on the younger pitchers.

RP: Michael Gonzalez, Texas Rangers

Michael Gonzalez just left the Orioles, but it's not a wild thought to assume that he may come back.

Gonzalez is a very proud pitcher who is very good at getting lefties out. He takes all of his struggles to heart because he is very invested in his team, which is a very strong quality.

Gonzalez doesn't like the way he pitched in Baltimore and said recently that he would be open to come back to show what he can really do.

RP: Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays

Joel Peralta has been one of the best relievers in the majors the last two seasons, but has received very little love.

In in 106.2 innings in the last two seasons, Peralta has had a WHIP below 1.00 and an ERA of just 2.70. If the Orioles are smart, they will pursue Peralta, who is only making $925,000 in 2011.

RP: George Sherrill, Atlanta Braves

Sherrill had the best two years of his career in his time as the Orioles' closer and became a fan favorite because of how flat the brim of his cap is. Sherrill brought joy to me after every save because the entire team flipped their hats up in congratulations.

At this point, Sherrill is just a situational pitcher, but he could be a huge part of the team again if the Orioles wanted to take him back.