This, that and the other

Another outfielder is off the board while the Orioles try to figure out who's playing right for them on opening day.

The Athletics signed Rajai Davis to a one-year deal last night worth a reported $6 million guaranteed. He's no longer an option for the Orioles, who are intrigued by him every winter without reaching an agreement.

The Orioles would prefer a left-handed hitter, so Davis wasn't an ideal fit. He's also 36 and owns a career .314 on-base percentage. He's posted an OBP of .306 in each of the past two seasons.

The 43 stolen bases represented his most appealing quality for a team that totaled only 19 last season, the lowest amount in the majors.

Angel Pagan, Michael Saunders and Michael Bourn remain on the market. Mark Trumbo does, too, though he's viewed more as a designated hitter.

* With various reports suggesting that Jose Bautista could settle for a one-year deal, I've been asked whether the Orioles might suddenly be in play for the free agent outfielder.

Not unless the script calls for a heel turn.

Bautista remains a villain in Baltimore and executive vice president Dan Duquette hasn't softened previous comments that suggested the Orioles would pass due to fan backlash.

The idea that Bautista might sign a pillow contract didn't surface until after the Winter Meetings, but the Orioles still don't look like a match. There are other factors, including age (36), declining production and the cost of a first-round draft pick.

A report in Yahoo Sports stated that Bautista wanted more than the $17.2 million he turned down by refusing the Blue Jays' qualifying offer. Another reason why he's unlikely to be playing his home games at Camden Yards.

The guess here is that Bautista winds up back in Toronto, where he's a bat-flipping hero.

* I'm wondering whether Jesus Montero will make it to the Ed Smith Stadium complex for spring training or if he'll just work out at Twin Lakes Park and largely be removed from media scrutiny.

Players have been known to travel back and forth, but Montero must serve his 50-game suspension at the start of the minor league season. This is more of a we've-got-nothing-to-lose signing that will cost the Orioles $550,000 if he makes it to the majors, according to FanRag Sports.

Executive vice president Dan Duquette is intrigued by Montero's bat. There isn't much else to latch onto at the moment, considering that Montero hasn't been a catcher since 2013, has served two 50-game suspensions and struggled to keep his weight down. He's gone from one of baseball's top prospects to reclamation project.

Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket.

Montero is a career .292/.341/.429 hitter against left-handers in 340 major league plate appearances. He's hit .228/.265/.379 in 525 plate appearances against right-handers.

Montero hit .218/.283/.382 with a double, triple and two home runs in 15 games against the Orioles. It's the only triple of his major league career, which has consisted of 226 games over parts of five seasons.

The three-bagger came against Wei-Yin Chen on May 1, 2013 at Safeco Field. Montero was batting eighth ahead of shortstop Robert Andino.

* The minicamp roster for next week also includes Single-A Delmarva shortstop Ryan Mountcastle, who will continue to work on his throwing.

The Orioles must determine whether Mountcastle, who turns 20 in February, can stay at shortstop. Otherwise, his arm may force a move to the outfield.

There doesn't seem to be much debate regarding his bat. Mountcastle looks like he's going to hit. The Orioles are convinced of it.

Mountcastle owns a .286/.321/.416 slash line in 168 games. He had 28 doubles, four triples, 10 home runs and 51 RBIs in 455 at-bats at Delmarva last year.

The Orioles made Mountcastle the 36th overall pick in the 2015 draft out of Hagerty (Fla.) High School.

* Orioles pitchers had three pickoffs last season, tied with the Red Sox for fewest in the majors. The Angels were first with 20, followed by the Dodgers with 19.

Must be a California thing.

Does this stat matter or did I just waste a few precious seconds of your time?

In keeping with that potential theme, the Orioles ranked fifth in total number of pitches thrown with 24,317. The Reds were first with 24,903.

Does this stat illustrate the lack of "out" pitches on the staff? Maybe too many foul balls or nibblers which leads to higher counts.

Maybe I need the Orioles to make some real news real soon.