Along with the Phillies, Red Sox, Yankees and Cubs, the Baltimore Orioles reached out to the Miami Marlins about Giancarlo Stanton. The Marlins sold off most of their big pieces to Canada in a trade with the Blue Jays, but an unhappy 23 year old slugger — Stanton — remains in Miami.

Don’t get too excited about seeing Stanton in orange and black next season. It will probably cost the O’s a top prospect — say Dylan Bundy or Kevin Gausman — to make that type of move. I expect him to remain with the fish, but after their recent fire sale, it certainly doesn’t hurt to ask.

So would the Orioles move Bundy or Gausman for a guy like Stanton? If I were Dan Duquette, I wouldn’t. Pitching is far too valuable, especially in the AL East. Bundy has all the makings of a number one starter — a true ace — while Gausman should make the big leagues at a quick pace and projects to be a two or three.

Personally, I think the Orioles’ lineup is fine. It was pitching that made the difference last year and it’ll be pitching that carries (or sinks) them in the future.