Flanagan said that the club is still hoping to add more depth to its relief corps. One industry source said last night that the Orioles and Bradford, a 32-year-old right-hander who went 4-2 with a 2.90 ERA for the Mets last season, were "close" to reaching agreement on a deal.
Rex Gary, Bradford's agent, acknowledged yesterday afternoon that he has had ongoing discussions with the Orioles, though more than 10 teams have expressed interest in his client and he had no timetable for making a decision.
"The Orioles have been certainly in touch," Gary said. "We'll see where it goes. All along, if the right situation comes in front of Chad and he wants to do the deal, we'll do it."
If the Orioles were to finalize a deal with Bradford, that would allow the front office to concentrate on filling vacancies at first base and left field. The Orioles have a one-year deal on the table to first baseman Kevin Millar , who is seeking a two-year contract. It's possible the two sides could bridge the gap with a one-year deal plus an option year.
David Dellucci became the latest free-agent outfielder to leave the market as he signed with the Cleveland Indians yesterday, making the Orioles' free-agent outfield options even thinner. The club has been in touch with the representatives of free-agent outfielders Jay Payton, Cliff Floyd, Trot Nixon, Aubrey Huff and Jose Guillen among others, but at this point, the Orioles haven't made a concrete offer to any of them, according to industry sources.
"We have an interest in Baltimore, but it's not too far along," said Craig Landis, the agent for the Oakland Athletics' Payton. "We would consider Baltimore, but all we've done so far is [that] they have said they might be interested in Jay and we said we are willing to listen."
Flanagan said the club is still confident it will add a solid hitter through a trade or free agency.
"Some of the more noticeable players have been taken off the board, but we think there are still other avenues certainly with possible trades and some free agents, and maybe have to look at some more longer-shot offensive-type players," Flanagan said. "We still think there are some people to be had."
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