Free agent pitcher Yovani Gallardo has yet to finalize a deal with the Baltimore Orioles, but "both sides appear to be pretty optimistic," according to MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli.
Ghiroli added that Gallardo met with Baltimore on Wednesday, and now "the ball is in the Orioles' court." Baltimore had previously been reluctant to sacrifice their first-round pick in order to sign Gallardo, but they now seem open to the idea. This move suggests that the Orioles are in "win-now" mode. Free agents Dexter Fowler or Pedro Alvarez could become targets for Baltimore once Gallardo is signed.
Gallardo posted the worst xFIP of his career (4.31) last season, pitching 184 1/3 innings with the Texas Rangers. However, his 3.42 ERA was a career best, despite his xFIP suggesting it should have been higher. His strikeout percentage has dropped every season since a career high of 25.7 in 2009. It came in at just 15.3 last season.
Source: Rotoworld.com