Right-hander Jeremy Guthrie is the only proven starter in the Orioles' rotation. Looper, 34, and Redding, 30, would offer 200-inning potential, but both would be moving from the National League to the high-powered A.L. East.

After Guthrie, none of the pitchers' on the Orioles' 40-man roster has made more than 33 career starts. The team last week declined to offer a contract to right-hander Daniel Cabrera, who has agreed to a one-year deal with the Nationals, as first reported by MLB.com.

Looper and Redding are not the only free-agent starting pitchers on the Orioles' radar, but they fit the profile for what the team is seeking — durable, reasonably affordable veterans who would reduce the pressure on the team's younger starters.

Looper converted from a reliever to a starter with the Cardinals in 2007, going 12-12 with a 4.94 ERA in 175 innings. He took another step forward last season, going 12-14 with a 4.16 ERA in 199 innings. His salary was $5.5 million.

Redding spent the past two seasons with the Nationals, going 10-11 with a 4.95 ERA in 2008 and tying for the team lead with 182 innings. The Nationals declined to offer him a contract, unwilling to pay him what he projected to earn in salary arbitration — between $3 million and $3.5 million.

The Mets and several other clubs also are interested in Redding, who is seeking a two-year contract. The Orioles likely will be reluctant to go two years, but that might be the only way for them to get him to Baltimore.

St. Louis Cardinals News News » Sources: O's pushing for pitchers Looper, Redding
Sources: O's pushing for pitchers Looper, Redding
The Orioles, desperate to add veteran starting pitchers, are making strong pushes for right-handers Braden Looper and Tim Redding, according to major-league sources. MLB Hot Stove