BALTIMORE -- The free-agent season has officially begun, giving the Orioles a chance to improve their talent base at minimal cost to the organization. Baltimore slumbered through this portion of the schedule last year, but it will apparently be active this time, targeting veterans who can improve the team's pitching depth.

"It's pitching," said Baltimore manager Dave Trembley. "I think the philosophy has been established. It's pitching, it's defense and it's athletes. We need to improve our starting pitching, and we need to determine who's going to be our starting everyday shortstop."

The Orioles will have plenty of competition on the open market for their top choices, which reportedly include A.J. Burnett on the mound and Mark Teixeira among position players. Both Teixeira and Burnett have ties to the city, and Baltimore hopes to be able to leverage those ties into twin offers that drastically improve the team.

Meanwhile, the Orioles don't really stand to lose much from free agency. Veterans Kevin Millar, Jay Payton, Juan Castro and Alex Cintron have all filed for free agency, and Baltimore's exclusive negotiating window with them has already expired. Of that group, Millar seems most likely to return later in the offseason.

Of course, several things would have to fall in place for that to happen. Baltimore would have to miss out on Teixeira, who appears to be one of the hottest names on the open market. Furthermore, the Orioles would have to decide whether they'd like to move Aubrey Huff to first base before opting to re-sign Millar.

Baltimore will likely sift through the free-agent market calmly and deliberately, allowing things to play out naturally rather than forcing the issue. President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail has made a habit of being patient and has said that he needs to re-stock the team's pitching inventory this winter.

"I think it's going to take some time with the free-agent things, but I think the groundwork has been laid," said Trembley. "We had the organizational meeting, Andy went to the [General Manager] Meetings, and now we have the Winter Meetings coming up. I think it will sort itself out. All it means to me is that Spring Training is a little bit closer."

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Castro and Cintron were among the patchwork contingent used to man shortstop in 2008, and the Orioles appear to be looking for a more permanent solution this winter. But the focus will undoubtedly be in the starting rotation, where Baltimore has staff ace Jeremy Guthrie and at least two to three vacancies that need to be filled.

One of those slots could be filled by the healthy return of Matt Albers or Troy Patton, both of whom had their seasons cut short by shoulder injuries last season. Patton elected for surgery while Albers opted to rehabilitate his shoulder, and both are apparently healthy and working toward being ready for Spring Training.

Baltimore will also have a decision to make on Daniel Cabrera, who has been a part of the rotation in each of the past five seasons. Cabrera had another erratic campaign in 2008, but he will likely be in line for a raise via arbitration. Depending on whom they sign, the Orioles may opt to not offer him a contract.