1. What is the Orioles top priority heading into the winter meetings?

( Lloyd Fox, Baltimore Sun / October 12, 2012 )

It has become clear that the Orioles will head to Nashville with a middle-of-the-order power bat atop their wish list. Thats not to say they will return with a basher in hand.

Duquette has shown hes a shrewd deal-maker, so he wont be forced into a signing or trade if hes not comfortable.

With the contracts delved out to Jeremy Guthrie (three years, $25 million from the Kansas City Royals) and Jonny Gomes (two years, $10 million from the Boston Red Sox), the free-agency market is a sellers market. Duquette will see how that market shakes out, and meanwhile, it is more likely he pursues a bat through a trade for now.

The teams lineup is mostly set. After non-tendering Mark Reynolds, pictured, on Friday, first base is an open spot, and the Orioles would like to shore up left field. If a front-line starter becomes available within their price range, the Orioles would also take a look at that as an option.

All in all, dont expect the Orioles to make any monumental moves -- not yet.

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