Orioles Reportedly Make Substantial Offer To Chris Davis, But 'No Progress' Made On Deal

It's a running theme to make fun of the Orioles and particularly Peter Angelos for being cheap, or not spending enough to keep players, or hoarding MASN money, etc. In some cases it's more justified than others, but it's really something many fans say when they're frustrated or have run out of other things to talk about. As long as Angelos owns the team, it's likely something that won't go away.

That being said, re-signing Chris Davis, who's going to command an enormous contract, would go at least part of the way to showing the Orioles are willing to do whatever it takes to retain (some of) their own expensive talent. It's not absolutely necessary -- the Orioles are a mid-market team and spend like one -- but it is intriguing.

Buster Olney previously reported that Angelos has been "personally involved" in the Davis negotiations, but last night came the first report that the Orioles made a substantial offer to Davis. According to Roch Kubatko, it might not be enough:

Sounds like no progress was made in #orioles talks with Boras regarding Chris Davis. Its believed Os offer in neighborhood of $150 mil.

— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) December 9, 2015

The "just do something" crowd has to at least respect this effort from Orioles management, though we still don't know (and might never know) the details of the team's offer to Davis. He's looking for the best possible deal, so it's not like he has a responsibility to simply accept the O's best offer. That's typically not how free agency works, and surely not for a Scott Boras client.

Understandably, the Orioles may be moving on from Davis soon. Regardless of the terms, a $150 deal would represent quite an investment for the Orioles -- and it would blow Adam Jones's six-year, $85.5 million contract, the largest in franchise history, out of the water.

Whether the Orioles should be making that type of financial commitment to a first baseman is arguable, and they could use that money to fill several other holes instead. It's not like there's a shortage of other free agents and trade options to consider, and locking up Davis for a huge sum would seemingly limit what the Orioles could do to shore up the starting rotation and corner outfield concerns (unless you want Davis in the outfield full time; no thanks).

The Orioles clearly want Davis back, so it will be bittersweet if he's not playing in Baltimore next year -- especially if he ends up playing for a division rival. Still, depending on what other moves the O's make this offseason, letting him walk could be a blessing in disguise.