Hot Stove roundup: O's seeking rotation arm

With pitchers and catchers scheduled to report to Spring Training in less than two weeks, time is running out for free-agent starters A.J. Burnett, Ervin Santana, Ubaldo Jimenez and Bronson Arroyo to find work. However, the Orioles are rumored to be in talks with those big-name arms, writes MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli.

Baltimore executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said Saturday his club has "some more work to do this offseason." In addition to talking to several free-agent starters, Duquette and the Orioles would like to avoid an arbitration hearing with catcher Matt Wieters. For his part, Wieters said he's staying out of the contract negotiatons.

Perhaps once Burnett, Santana, Jimenez or Arroyo reaches a deal with a club, the rest will follow suit. Although that quartet remains on the market, there was still movement on the Hot Stove on Saturday:

• The Nationals and right-handed starter Doug Fister agreed to a one-year deal, avoiding arbitration. With Fister under contract for 2014, reliever Tyler Clippard is the only player expected to take Washington to arbitration this month. Clippard seeks $6.35 million, while the Nationals have offered $4.45 million.

• In a similar development, the Dodgers and catcher A.J. Ellis avoided arbitration by coming to terms on a 2014 contract worth $3.55 million plus incentives. That leaves closer Kenley Jansen as the only remaining Dodgers player eligible for arbitration. Jansen is looking for $5.05 million and the club has offered $3.5 million.

• Veteran utility man Emilio Bonifacio was designated for assignment by the Royals in a move to clear roster space for left-handed starter Bruce Chen, who recently inked a contract. Kansas City has 10 days to place Bonifacio on waivers, release him or trade him.

• Giants head of baseball operations Brian Sabean said the organization would still consider signing a veteran reliever, though "it would have to be at a minimal price."