Chris Davis is interested in returning to the Baltimore Orioles next season. As is fellow pending free agent Darren O’Day. Both have been productive for the club this season, though apparently neither has been approached about a new contract. Franchise cornerstone Adam Jones has reportedly spoken with owner Peter Angelos numerous times in the last few weeks imploring him to spend this offseason, which is something that is almost unheard of.
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Jones is seemingly concerned that his club’s competitive window is closing, and the worries are justified. There have been conflicting reports on the relationship between general manager Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter, which leaves a question as to the job statuses of both heading into 2016. Duquette also likely still has ruffled feathers over Angelos barring him from pursuing the Blue Jays’ club president position earlier this year, leaving even more uncertainty around the front office situation.
To make matters worse, it seems Duquette is unsure of whether he plans to set his club up to rebuild or contend in 2016. The team watched outfielders Nick Markakis and Nelson Cruz depart over the winter last offseason, while Davis, O’Day, Steve Pearce, Matt Wieters, Gerardo Parra and Wei-Yin Chen could all head to new ball clubs in 2016.
Baltimore only has big money locked into Jones, Ubaldo Jimenez and J.J. Hardy beyond this season, so one would think they’d have the necessary funds to field a team that can compete in the American League East next year. And unless they’re planning on a full-scale rebuild that involves trading Jones, Hardy, Zach Britton or even Manny Machado, they don’t even have the necessary assets to instigate a speedy rebuild.
It’s approaching do-or-die time for the Orioles, and unrest amongst management is setting them up to potentially come up very short at a pivotal point as it pertains to the long-term success. Angelos has long been a very hands-off owner, but he needs to sort out the situations with Duquette and Showalter quickly if he wants to see his club have any sort of success in the next few seasons. They have the cornerstones to build around, but the prime years of Jones and Machado might end up going to waste if the situation doesn’t get fixed soon.