Since there's still no real news coming out of the warehouse - just non-update updates and more names being chucked against the wall - I'll pass along a few leftover quotes. Maybe I'll try to make up something later, just to keep it interesting around here.
When did the Orioles realize that they were legit this year?
"In spring training, we all believed we had a good team and we would be able to be competitive," said shortstop J.J. Hardy. "I'd say sometime after the All-Star break, we...
One of the responsibilities laid at the feet of new third base coach Bobby Dickerson will be working with the infielders. He spent the past three seasons as the Orioles' minor league infield coordinator, so the task shouldn't trip him up.
Manager Buck Showalter noted last week that Dickerson did an outstanding job assisting rookie Manny Machado in the transition from shortstop to third base. Machado made only two starts at the hot corner with Double-A Bowie, but he took countless ground...
Left-hander Dana Eveland, who appeared in 14 games with the Orioles this season, has signed with the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Professional Baseball League. Confirmation came via a tweet from @bicycleyoun.
Eveland is guaranteed $675,000 from Hanwha after making $750,000 with the Orioles in 2012.
Eveland actually signed with the Eagles a few weeks ago, but the team didn't announce it until today.
The Orioles acquired Eveland, 29, from the Dodgers during the 2011 Winter Meetings for pitcher...
Is anyone else surprised that left-hander John Lannan settled for a one-year deal with the Phillies worth a reported $2.5 million guaranteed, with another $2.5 million possible in incentives?
Everyone else is hauling in ridiculous amounts of cash for being mediocre. Didn't Lannan get the memo?
Left-hander Joe Saunders must be hoping that Lannan didn't just set the market for him.
Saw this interesting stat on Twitter yesterday: Lannan is 3-13 with a 5.53 ERA against the Phillies, and 39-39...
Why haven't the Orioles made a trade?
There isn't one particular reason. That would be way too easy.
The Orioles aren't simply going to hand over their young pitching. Teams need to value these arms as much as the Orioles. If they don't, executive vice president Dan Duquette will keep his surplus and Triple-A Norfolk's rotation will be loaded like a baked potato.
The Orioles aren't deep in certain areas, which works against them while, for example, the Mets attempt to deal...
I'm taking a break from researching the Washington Wizards and all the schools defecting from the Big East to check on the latest rumors involving the Orioles' interest in New York Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey.
Andy Martino of the New York Daily News tweeted earlier today that the Orioles were one of the "serious players" for Dickey, the National League's Cy Young Award winner.
Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com followed with this tweet:
"Orioles and Rangers don't seem in middle of Dickey talks...
The last words spoken by Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette during yesterday's conference call with reporters alluded to his continued efforts to bolster the lineup.
"I can tell you that we'll keep looking for a capable bat to add to our ballclub," Duquette said.
That bat is supposed to fit at first base or as the designated hitter. Duquette has indicated that the Orioles are well-stocked with outfielders and second basemen. They're set at third base with Manny Machado, at...
Bobby Dickerson served as a player-coach for the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings back in 1993, beginning a journey that finally carried him to the majors this afternoon, when the Orioles announced his hiring as their new third base coach.
Dickerson beat out a list of candidates that included a few guys who had major league experience in the third base box.
"I watched it unfold just by reading the papers and everything," he said today during a conference call with reporters. "Like a lot of...
The Orioles made outfielder Nate McLouth, executive vice president Dan Duquette, manager Buck Showalter and new third base coach Bobby Dickerson available today on a conference call. One-stop shopping for reporters. Always appreciated.
McLouth, 31, passed his physical and signed his one-year contract. He batted .268/.342/.435 with seven home runs, 18 RBIs and 12 stolen bases in 13 attempts over 55 games after the Orioles selected his contract from Triple-A Norfolk on Aug. 4. In six postseason...
The Orioles have chosen Bobby Dickerson as their new third base coach, completing manager Buck Showalter's staff for 2013.
Dickerson, 47, replaces DeMarlo Hale, who accepted a job as the Blue Jays' bench coach.
Dickerson has spent the past three seasons as the Orioles' minor league infield coordinator, and he will work with the infielders as part of his new job. He served as Triple-A Norfolk's manager from June 4, 2010 through the end of the season following Gary Allenson's promotion to...
The news that Josh Hamilton has agreed to a five-year, $125 million contract with the Angels officially ends any and all rumors that the Orioles are a potential match for him.
They weren't in play for him. Didn't matter whether they were searching for a left fielder. It wasn't going to happen, but that didn't stop the madness. Hamilton was this winter's Prince Fielder.
The Orioles still could be tied into this transaction, however. They won't get Hamilton, but it's possible that the...
Stop me if you've heard this one: The Orioles could announce today that they've officially signed Nate McLouth to a one-year contract.
McLouth hasn't completed his physical, which explains the delay. I've heard that he had to fly back home, but it could be done later today.
McLouth was seeking a deal worth about $2.5 million as the Winter Meetings started up in Nashville. The Orioles are giving him $2 million guaranteed, with another $500,000 in bonuses based on plate appearances.
The...
The Orioles could announce outfielder Nate McLouth's signing later today. He's scheduled to take his physical and it depends when the club gets the results.
McLouth agreed to a one-year, $2 million deal at the Winter Meetings that includes a possible $500,000 in bonuses.
"I think he deserves it," said Nick Markakis. "What he did for us in the second half ever since he got here. He did what he was supposed to do. A guy like that, a guy with his talent, is always good to have."
Markakis...
The Orioles hosted 80 first- through fifth-grade students from Morrell Park Elementary School in Baltimore today as part of the 34th Annual OriolesREACH Holiday Party for Kids at Dave & Busters at Arundel Mills Mall.
Manager Buck Showalter, shortstop J.J. Hardy, outfielders Nick Markakis and LJ Hoes, and pitcher Steve Johnson served lunch to the kids, played games and signed autographs. They were joined by former Orioles Al Bumbry, Chris Hoiles, Dave Johnson and Scott McGregor.
The Right Side...
Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy lost one of his favorite teammates and card players.
Hardy was hoping that the Orioles would re-sign Mark Reynolds, who agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Cleveland Indians,
"I've still got (Matt) Wieters next to me, but he only played because Reynolds forced us to play, and then (Nick) Markakis was also in there," Hardy said earlier today at the annual OriolesREACH Holiday Party at Dave & Busters at Arundel Mills Mall. "I don't know. We'll...
If the Orioles don't acquire another first baseman, Chris Davis will be playing the not-so-hot corner on opening day at Tropicana Field. Manager Buck Showalter is prepared to give Davis the job, with the full support of executive vice president Dan Duquette.
As the roster is currently constructed, Wilson Betemit would back up Davis as one of Showalter's four reserves.
In the meantime, Duquette continues to search for another bat, whether it's for first base or as designated hitter or a...
The Orioles have tapped into the independent league market again to find another pitcher.
They're leaving no independent stone unturned.
The Orioles signed right-hander Kyle Mertins, according to a tweet from his former team, the Sioux Falls Pheasants of the American Association.
Mertins, 24, is a former 28th-round pick of the Atlanta Braves in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft out of Cal-State Fullerton. He went 4-1 with a 1.00 ERA in 45 relief appearances, with 36 hits allowed, 14 walks...
So what should we read into the Orioles' total lack of interest in bringing back first baseman Mark Reynolds, who has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Cleveland Indians?
Several people at the Winter Meetings suggested that money wasn't the issue. The Orioles simply felt that they could upgrade at first base.
Reynolds' contract with the Indians is for a guaranteed $6 million. He reportedly can make another $1.5 million in bonuses based on plate appearances. He made $7.5 million...
Orioles manager Buck Showalter has a pretty good idea of which player will bat leadoff next season if all the candidates are healthy, but he'll allow the process to play itself out in spring training.
Showalter doesn't think he can go wrong with Brian Roberts, Nate McLouth or Nick Markakis sitting atop the order.
"I feel comfortable that we have people who are capable of doing it," he said. "One guy (Roberts) has a great track record if he's healthy. I hope all three do well and are...
Re-signing Nate McLouth brought more questions for the Orioles.
Is he the everyday left fielder? Will he bat leadoff?
Let's tackle the second one.
Asked whether McLouth would remain at the top of the order, executive vice president Dan Duquette replied, "Let's see how it plays out."
It's tough to project the lineup without knowing whether Duquette is signing or trading for another player, but the Orioles clearly have three leadoff candidates on the roster: McLouth, Brian Roberts and...
