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.

Baltimore Orioles 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