While the Orioles have been in trade talks with the Cardinals and Rangers in continuing efforts to upgrade their pitching, discussions seem to have stalled.



In both cases, their trade partners' demands are, at this point, too steep for the Orioles, according to an industry source.



The Orioles were in discussions with the Cardinals, who were shopping right-hander Kyle McClellan so St. Louis can sign veteran free-agent pitcher Roy Oswalt. Also, the Rangers and Orioles have been in discussions about reliever Koji Uehara's possible return to Baltimore. For both the Cardinals and Rangers, unloading payroll is key.



Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette's focus this offseason has been to upgrade the club's pitching, add organizational depth and begin to retool the farm system.



He's said he'd like to continue to improve the team's major league roster before spring training opens next month. And I believe Duquette will make at least one trade before camp opens.



Duquette has set a high bar for the club, saying he wants this year's team to be a .500 club, but the Orioles won't -- and can't afford -- to trade their top prospects to get there. And at this point, their farm system doesn't have enough prospect depth to offer other organizations much trade bait.



Trade talks can always speed up quickly, but at this point, it seems like the Orioles are far from a deal.