Orioles GM Dan Duquette remains in contact with free agent left-hander Joe Saunders, reports Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com. He notes that the team doesn't want to surrender a draft pick and is disinclined to hand out a big pitching contract, so Kyle Lohse isn't a fit.
The Mariners, Padres, Mets, and Twins are among the other clubs with interest in Saunders. The 31-year-old pitched to a 4.07 ERA in 174 2/3 innings for the Diamondbacks and Orioles last season, his fifth consecutive season of 170+ innings pitched. Baltimore has had a relatively quiet winter so far, as a new contract for Nate McLouth and trades for Trayvon Robinson, Yamaico Navarro, and Danny Valencia highlight the team's moves.
MLBTR's Tim Dierkes ranked Saunders as the 25th best free agent available earlier this offseason, predicting he would re-sign with the Orioles.
