Report: Trumbo, Orioles 'back in touch,' making progress in talks

Mark Trumbo's winding turn in free agency could be leading him back to the Charm City after all.

The Baltimore Orioles - Trumbo's team from a year ago - have reportedly gotten "back in touch" with the slugger in recent days, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. Heyman added that the sides appear to be making progress in their talks.

The prospect of Trumbo returning to Baltimore appeared to have dimmed somewhat at the beginning of the new year. Multiple reports last week suggested the 31-year-old had turned down a three-year offer from Baltimore at some point this winter, while a December report said the team had pulled its offer off the table entirely.

During an interview this week, Orioles general manager Dan Duquette added to the drama by saying that acquiring the compensatory first-round pick should Trumbo sign elsewhere was more of a priority for the team than re-signing him.

Still, there have been flickers of hope that the sides might work something out in recent weeks, including a report that Trumbo might be willing to lower his asking price to remain with the Orioles.

Related - Finding a home: Why Orioles will sign Trumbo

Trumbo, the last available free agent tied to draft-pick compensation, led all of baseball with 47 home runs in 2016, his first and only season with the Orioles. He's also received interest from the Colorado Rockies, Oakland Athletics, and Texas Rangers over the course of the offseason.