Report: Buck Showalter to meet with Colby Rasmus
The Baltimore Orioles are so desperate to renew their resources in the outfield that manager Buck Showalter is now getting involved in the recruiting the process.
Showalter is slated to personally meet with center fielder Colby Rasmus in the near future, reports Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun.
Showalter is planning to meet Rasmus at his home in Alabama in order to assess his character. Rasmus has reportedly also shown interest in joining the Orioles, and Encina believes his services could be retained on a one-year deal for $6-8 million.
Baltimore management struck lightning in a bottle last offseason after convincing slugger Nelson Cruz, who ended up belting 40 home runs, to ink a one-year, $8-million pact. Showalter also played an instrumental role in wooing Cruz to the organization last winter.
The departures of Nick Markakis (signed with Atlanta Braves) and Cruz (signed with Seattle Mariners) has left a pair of gaping holes in the team's corner outfield spots.
Rasmus, 28, hit .225 with 18 home runs and 40 RBIs in 104 games for the Toronto Blue Jays.