As the 2015 season was ending, Orioles center fielder and spiritual leader Adam Jones made a point of publicly saying he wanted a sit-down with O's majority owner Peter Angelos.
While the actual meeting was less publicized than Jones' request, the two did sit down and, lo and behold, there was a significant uptick in the club's 2016 payroll, including the largest contract in club history: the seven-year, $161 million deal with first baseman Chris Davis.
In addition to several internal salary bumps due to arbitration eligibility and catcher Matt Wieters accepting the $15.8 million qualifying offer, the team traded for outfielder/designated hitter Mark Trumbo and his $9 million contract for 2016. Additionally, right-hander Yovani Gallardo originally signed a three-year, $33 million contract, which was quickly reduced to a two-year, $22 million deal due to questions pertaining to his physical. Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette made a late and bold bid to sign outfielder Dexter Fowler to a three-year, $33 million deal, but at the last minute, Fowler, upset about the club's unwillingness to include an opt-out after one season, re-signed with the Cubs.
