The Baltimore Orioles have "definite interest" in free-agent Michael Saunders as they try to fill a void in right field, according to Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com.
The 30-year-old Saunders spent the last two seasons with the Blue Jays after beginning his career in Seattle. The British Columbia native hit .298 with a .923 OPS and 16 homers in the first half this past season before stumbling to a .178 average and eight homers after the break. Saunders hit .381 with a home run in eight postseason games but struck out 10 times in 21 at-bats.
Saunders' left-handed swing would be a nice fit at Camden Yards, where he has 10 homers in 21 career games. He hit three homers and drove in eight runs in a June 18 contest at the ballpark this year.
Mark Trumbo was the primary right fielder for the Orioles last season, but he is a free agent after rejecting their qualifying offer and could be out of Baltimore’s price range. Orioles general manager Dan Duquette told reporters Sunday that the team has made "several offers" to Trumbo.
-- Doug Mittler
