Report: O's, Gallardo trying to complete deal Friday

The Baltimore Orioles are reportedly hoping to wrap up a deal with free-agent right-hander Yovani Gallardo on Friday, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, before shifting their focus to acquiring a bat.

Heyman reports the Orioles are still deciding whether to include a fourth-year option to a potential three-year pact with Gallardo, and once they do, the club will then explore adding a hitter. Among the players they're reportedly considering are free agents Dexter Fowler, Pedro Alvarez, and Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jay Bruce.

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, a move the team appears increasingly willing to make. Heyman reported Friday that fellow Texas native Chris Davis has reached out to Gallardo in an effort to help expedite his decision.

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.

On Thursday, Orioles executive Dan Duquette commented publicly on Gallardo and Fowler, but declined to divulge any information relating to possible negotiations with the players.

"Gallardo's been a good pitcher over his career," Duquette told 105.7 The Fan, via Jon Meoli of The Baltimore Sun. "He did well in the National League with Milwaukee, and he also pitched well this year with Texas and he pitched well in the playoffs. That's why teams would have interest in him."