Report: Orioles, Gallardo 'optimistic' of deal

The Baltimore Orioles continue to make progress in negotiations with free-agent right-hander Yovani Gallardo, with MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli describing the sides as "optimistic" a deal will be completed after meeting again Wednesday.

The "ball is in the Orioles' court," according to Ghiroli, after reports surfaced that Baltimore was discussing a three-year deal with Gallardo believed to be worth between $40-45 million. Signing Gallardo, who rejected a qualifying offer from the Texas Rangers in November, would require the Orioles to forfeit their first-round pick (14th overall) in this year's draft.

If the sides are able to strike a deal, reports indicate it could open the door for the Orioles to pursue outfielder Dexter Fowler, another free agent attached to draft-pick compensation.

Gallardo, who turns 30 later this month, has been a model of durability during his nine-year career, making at least 30 starts in seven consecutive seasons while posting a respectable 3.69 ERA and 8.2 K/9 rate over that stretch. Though his strikeout rate plummeted to a career-worst 15.3 percent last season, Gallardo's 3.42 ERA over 184 1/3 innings with the Rangers last year represented a new personal low.