Did I actually make it out of Maryland this winter without shoveling snow?
Will I actually go another year without missing my flight?
I don't even know who I am anymore.
Pitchers and catchers report to spring training Saturday, which means I need to be in Sarasota today. Players start to trickle in early, and I always love playing "Who's that guy?" There's no way I'd arrive late and miss out on all the fun.
A new player walks into the clubhouse carrying his equipment bag. Reporters...
Orioles pitcher Zach Britton was encouraged by today's long-toss session at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota.
Britton wrote in a text message that the session went "really well."
"My arm felt fresh," he said.
Britton will play catch again on Saturday and continue to take anti-inflammatory medication for his left shoulder, which began bothering him again in the middle of December. The key is being able to stay in his proper arm slot, which has been an ongoing challenge.
An MRI...
The final items on my to-do list must be crossed off today. I'm running out of time before boarding my flight to Sarasota tomorrow morning for the start of spring training.
The Orioles don't have any other players facing arbitration hearings, and they're not expected to anger any other countries. It should be a slow day.
Speaking of lists, I'll be sure to add Zach Britton's name to the expanded story lines in spring training. He was going to be scrutinized anyway because he's competing...
The Korean Baseball Organization's protest over the Orioles' signing of Seong-Min Kim will lead to Major League Baseball voiding the contract of the 17-year-old Korean pitcher, according to industry sources.
I'm still trying to receive confirmation from the Orioles.
I'm told that the Orioles could be facing some sort of punishment, and they will have to restart the negotiating process at a later date if they still want to bring Kim into the organization.
The Orioles signed Kim to a minor...
Orioles pitcher Zach Britton said he's been dealing with inflammation in his left shoulder since the middle of December, but an MRI didn't reveal any structural damage and he isn't concerned about his availability for the April 6 opener if he makes the team.
Britton will play catch from 90 feet Thursday and throw again on Saturday if his shoulder responds favorably.
"They want to make sure I get into my arm slot," he said. "It's not a strength issue. The strength in my shoulder is...
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette has been fielding calls this morning about left-hander Zach Britton's health, which led to the club issuing the following statement on his behalf:
"We are currently monitoring Zach Britton. He has already reported to spring training and is scheduled to begin his throwing progression this Friday."
Duquette's cousin, former Orioles executive Jim Duquette, tweeted this morning that Britton will be limited in spring training because of a sore...
Now that Adam Jones is under contract for 2012, we can focus on other matters, like whether the Orioles will sign him to an extension.
Executive vice president Dan Duquette prefers to wait until after the season and avoid any distractions. Those talks remain on the back burner, where they've been all along.
In the meantime, Jones can report to Ed Smith Stadium later this month and figure out where he's batting and who's setting the table for him.
Jones sorely missed Brian Roberts atop the...
The Orioles have signed center fielder Adam Jones to a one-year contract, avoiding an arbitration hearing that was scheduled for Friday morning in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Jones, 26, batted .280/.319/.466 and set career highs in games (151), doubles (26), home runs (25), RBIs (83), stolen bases (12) and total bases (264). He was named Most Valuable Oriole by the media covering the team.
Jones was the Orioles' last arbitration-eligible player without a contract. They started out with nine and...
Because so many of you must be curious, I'll reveal that my car passed the emissions inspection. The entire test lasted about two minutes. So worth the drive to Westminster.
I've got more items to cross off my to-do list before Friday morning's early flight to Sarasota, but I'll keep at least one eye on the blog.
There's still a good chance that the Orioles sign center fielder Adam Jones to a one-year deal before Friday's arbitration hearing. Executive vice president Dan Duquette seems...
Fred Ferreira, the Orioles' executive director of international recruiting, still plans on flying to the Dominican this weekend to scout six Cuban players, including 19-year-old outfielder Jorge Soler.
Ferreira said he spoke this morning with Soler's representatives. He has a general idea of what they're looking for in terms of a contract.
"A little bit, but that changes sometimes day to day," Ferreira said. "When you get down to business is when you find out."
The Orioles found out...
We could be facing a fairly quiet week if executive vice president Dan Duquette really is finished making changes to the roster before pitchers and catchers report to spring training.
I'm still expecting a trade or two to go down before opening day, with the bullpen surplus a likely selling point to opposing teams.
The last remaining order of business this week could be settling on a contract for center fielder Adam Jones. He's seeking $7.4 million after making $3.25 million last season,...
We're less than a week away from pitchers and catchers taking the back fields at Ed Smith Stadium for the Orioles' first spring training workout. I can't guarantee much these days, but I'm fairly certain that it won't be snowing sideways.
Here's the list of non-roster invitees:
Pitchers
Edell, Ryan LHP
Eyre, Willie RHP
Galarraga, Armando RHP
Johnson, Steve RHP
Link, Jon RHP
Neshek, Pat RHP
Reyes, Dennys LHP
Socolovich, Miguel RHP
Villarreal, Oscar RHP
Catchers
Hester,...
Take another look at the 40-man roster and count how many players were added from outside the organization after Robert Andino's walk-off single beat the Red Sox on Sept. 28. I'm not including pitcher Oliver Drake, who was protected in the Rule 5 draft:
Pitchers:
Jake Arrieta
Luis Ayala
Brad Bergesen
Jason Berken
Zach Britton
Dylan Bundy
Wei-Yin Chen
Oliver Drake
Dana Eveland
Kevin Gregg
Jason Hammel
Tommy Hunter
Jim Johnson
Matt Lindstrom
Brian Matusz
Darren...
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette has pretty much dismissed the possibility that he'll sign veteran designated hitter Manny Ramirez.
"I don't think there's going to be a fit for Manny," Duquette said. "We've looked at that all winter and I'm not sure there's a fit there for the Orioles. I wish Manny a lot of luck, but I just don't think he fits in our ballclub right now."
Asked what else he plans to do with the roster before spring training, Duquette said, "I think...
Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette has issued the following statement regarding 17-year-old Korean pitcher Seong-Min Kim:
"On behalf of the Orioles organization, I offer a sincere apology to the Korea Baseball Organization and the Korea Baseball Association for the club's unintentional breach of protocol in failing to tender a status check in the process of signing Seong-Min Kim. The Orioles respect Major League Baseball's recruiting policies and the...
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette found another late-inning reliever without making a trade.
The club has reached agreement with right-hander Luis Ayala, and the deal will become official once his physical is completed and the results are known.
It's believed to be a major league deal, which would require a corresponding 40-man roster move.
Ayala, 34, was 2-2 with a 2.09 ERA in 52 appearances with the Yankees last season. He's 31-41 with a 3.47 ERA in seven seasons with six...
Now that the dust has settled from that flurry of activity yesterday - Brad Bergesen's arbitration ruling, Nick Johnson's minor league contract - it's time to wonder whether the Orioles are finished with the roster before pitchers and catchers report to spring training Feb. 18.
I'm guessing that at least one more move is made before that date. Perhaps another late-inning reliever is added to the mix - Koji Uehara's return remains a possibility if the Rangers lower their demands, though I...
The Orioles have reached agreement with first baseman Nick Johnson on a minor league contract that includes an invitation to spring training.
Johnson could give manager Buck Showalter another option at first base and designated hitter. He also could share time at those spots with Joe Mahoney at Triple-A Norfolk. No promises come with the deal, only an opportunity.
Johnson, 33, didn't play in the majors last year. He appeared in 53 games with Triple-A Columbus and batted .201/.316/.332 with...
