If I had to handicap the first base race in Baltimore, it's becoming more evident that Derrek Lee has pulled ahead of Adam LaRoche.
LaRoche was an early favorite, and the Orioles have held extensive talks with his agent, Mike Milchin, but they seem prepared to move on without him because of contract demands that they're not willing to meet.
I talked to someone in the organization earlier today who, while declining to offer many specifics, indicated that Lee is the more likely player to sign...
Is anyone else having trouble concentrating today because of the excitement surrounding the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium?
Like we don't have enough meaningless bowl games polluting our airwaves.
Kansas State and Syracuse are playing in the Bronx. I guess RFK Stadium couldn't be cleaned up in time.
I yearn for the days of the Rose, Cotton, Sugar, Orange, Gator, Peach and Tangerine bowls. Throw in the old Blue-Gray game. And bring back the game between the Super Bowl champions and the...
I'm in between breakfast courses and wanted to check in real quick.
The first course included fried ham and French toast made with gourmet Italian panettone bread.
The eggs are cooking. Over easy.
I'll need the jaws of life to get out of these pants.
I would love to pass along an update on the first base negotiations, but I've got nothing.
The Orioles preferred Adam LaRoche. They turned their attention to Derrek Lee. They continue to hold discussions with LaRoche's agent. They continue...
The Orioles probably won't announce their full minor league coaching staffs until after Jan. 1, but the top four affiliates have their managers in place.
Gary Allenson returns as Triple-A Norfolk manager, Gary Kendall moves up from Single-A Aberdeen to Double-A Bowie, Orlando Gomez returns to Single-A Frederick and Ryan Minor returns to low Single-A Delmarva.
Orioles manager Buck Showalter still wants to add a seventh coach, like an eye-in-the-sky, and that hire could influence additions to...
In a few hours, I'll be heading to Ocean Pines to visit my parents, sister and niece. We celebrate the holidays when we're able to gather together. The actual date is insignificant.
It also happens when my father finishes shoveling more than a foot of snow from his driveway. Thanks, Dad!
As I await the opportunity to feel the warm embrace of my loving family, and eat until I'm dizzy, I wanted to pass along a story that makes me appreciate these moments a little bit more, and also offers...
My trip to Ocean Pines has been delayed until tomorrow after the area was blanketed by more than a foot of snow.
Meanwhile, it's a sunny morning in Sykesville and that light dusting is gone.
It must be those 50 mph winds. I thought my car might end up in another parking spot.
I asked a few days ago which teams besides the Orioles and Nationals were looking for a first baseman. The Padres reached agreement with Brad Hawpe and the Rangers appear to have settled on Mitch Moreland.
As for...
I was afraid to look out my window this morning, figuring that the snow would be piling up and I'd be making another frantic search for my gloves.
I raced to the grocery store because I needed milk and water. I hate being that guy, but I was out. (I skipped the bread and toilet paper.)
I raced to the gym and kept one eye on the parking lot - a surefire way to get a headache - so I could bolt as the first snowflake fell.
More than two hours later, I'm still waiting for that first flake....
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to one and all.
I wasn't expecting to see snow this morning, but it looks like we got a light dusting in Sykesville (as opposed to a heavy dusting.) Just give me clear roads on Monday. That's all I'm asking.
I didn't find a first baseman under the tree. I'm not sure what I would have done with him, so maybe it's for the best.
My Hall of Fame ballot arrived in the mail a few days ago. Finally, I have the power to get Kirk Rueter into...
It shrinks?
Like a frightened turtle!
The Padres reportedly have reached agreement with Brad Hawpe on a one-year contract, which figures to impact the Orioles.
Hawpe will platoon at first base in San Diego despite extremely limited experience at the position. He's appeared in only nine games there, all of them in 2010. By comparison, he's played 748 games in right field over seven seasons.
Derrek Lee wants to play for a contender, Well, the Padres no longer need him. The same with Adam...
If you're heading out to do some last-minute shopping, I'll just ask...are you crazy?!
I'm out of milk and I'm afraid to venture to the grocery store. I'll eat my Cheerios dry. All I need is a highchair and a sippy cup.
It would be an upset of monumental proportions if the Orioles signed a free agent today - or scheduled a physical so they could sign a free agent. I'm on call as always, but I don't anticipate any news on Christmas Eve.
If Adam LaRoche finally agrees to terms, he might...
You can stop worrying. Garrett Atkins has found a job.
The Pirates announced that they signed Atkins to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training.
Atkins lasted 44 games with the Orioles last season, batting .214 with one homer and nine RBIs. They released him on July 6.
Atkins signed for $4.5 million last winter. Now he's settling for a minor league deal from a club that already signed first baseman Lyle Overbay.
Let the comeback begin.
By the way, the Orioles didn't...
While wondering whether Brett Favre texted pictures of his feet to Rex Ryan ...
I saw the mlbtraderumors.com post ranking each club according to its offseason spending and braced for the inevitable Orioles bashing. I knew it was coming, so I may as well address it.
(It also allows me to mention Adam LaRoche again, keeping my streak intact.)
The Orioles rank 23rd out of 30 teams at $5.58 million, which is broken down as $3 million for reliever Koji Uehara, $1.5 million for infielder Cesar...
President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail says the club hasn't imposed a deadline for free agents to accept their offers, which means Adam LaRoche can continue to mull his options while the Orioles resume talks with other players.
MacPhail didn't reveal names, but it's clear that LaRoche hasn't been given a take-it-or-leave-it ultimatum.
"I'm not a big deadline guy," MacPhail said. "There's nothing to prevent you from talking to other people in certain scenarios. I don't know...
Former Orioles outfielder Lou Montanez texted me earlier today and mentioned that he's receiving a lot of interest, "especially from AL East teams."
A few Japanese teams also are interested in the free-agent outfielder.
Montanez is batting third for first-place Criollos de Caguas of the Puerto Rican Winter League. He's 13-for-28 with two doubles, a triple and four RBIs. He writes that his team's starting nine is comprised entirely of former major league players.
Today would have been...
We have a theme going here.
As you might have noticed, another shopping day bit the dust yesterday. We're down to a precious few.
I've got errands to run this morning, but my laptop goes everywhere I go, so I'll pass along any news that might break.
It usually stays in my trunk. It doesn't sit on the passenger seat with the window cracked.
In case you hadn't heard, the Orioles need a first baseman. They'd like to add at least one more reliever, a veteran starter and another utility...
If you're looking for someone to critique the Orioles' winter additions at third base and shortstop, Cal Ripken seems like the logical person for the assignment. He's played both positions and his opinion always counts.
Ripken has added next month's coaching clinic at the University of Maryland to his busy schedule (more on that later), but he took time earlier this morning to talk to MASN and The Sun in a conference call.
Ripken gave high marks to the trade that brought third baseman...
Yesterday passed without the Orioles doing anything. President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail might have made contact with more agents or rival executives, but that's only an assumption. The media has been left in the dark because he's no longer returning our calls.
I can confirm that the Orioles didn't sign any free agents or complete any trades. Only four shopping days left until Christmas.
I'm actually stopping the count after Thursday, so make it three.
Assuming that Adam...
The Nationals signed first baseman Michael Aubrey to a minor league deal, according to this tweet from the team.
And yes, I just wrote "this tweet from the team."
Aubrey made a pretty good impression on the club late in the 2009 season, but he was hurt in spring training and recovering from a minor medical procedure that required stitches in his back. He fell behind the other first basemen in camp, hit .235 in Triple-A (though a power surge raised his home run total to 22, fifth-best in the...
Baseball activity usually slows down the week between Christmas and New Years, so this week could be relatively busy for the Orioles.
Keeping those fingers crossed.
Players generally prefer to be signed before the holidays to remove that distraction and plan their lives accordingly. Their families obviously share the burden. The exceptions, of course, usually involve Scott Boras.
Adam LaRoche figures to make his decision before the weekend. It's not like the market is growing for him. And...
Cliff Lee is out of the American League, and he took Zack Greinke with him - and dropped off the right-hander in Milwaukee.
This season should be a breeze for the Orioles. All they need is for Andy Pettitte to retire and they'll win 90 games.
Greinke reportedly has been dealt to the Brewers for shortstop Alcides Escobar, center fielder Lorenzo Cain and pitching prospects Jeremy Jeffress and Jake Odorizzi. The Brewers also will receive shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt and $2 million.
I don't...
