Who's your dark horse? (updated)

Who's your dark horse? (updated)
Following up on a tweet from yesterday, I was told that Brooks Robinson remains hospitalized in Hollywood Fla., after falling off a stage Friday night and sustaining two fractures in his rear shoulder area, including a broken clavicle. Robinson is resting comfortably. Well, as comfortably as you can rest with two fractures. Here's another look at the Orioles' spring training invites: Pitchers: Armando Galarraga, Pat Neshek, Ryan Edell, Dennys Reyes, Willie Eyre, Steve Johnson, Jon Link,...
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Orioles spring invites include Galarraga, Neshek and Paulino

Orioles spring invites include Galarraga, Neshek and Paulino
The Orioles finally reached agreement on a minor league contract with right-hander Armando Galarraga, who's listed among nine pitchers invited to camp in a few weeks. Pitcher Pat Neshek and catcher Ronny Paulino also signed minor league deals with the Orioles and will report to Ed Smith Stadium. Other invites include left-handers Ryan Edell and Dennys Reyes, right-handers Willie Eyre, Steve Johnson, Jon Link, Miguel Socolovich and Oscar Villarreal, catchers John Hester and Brian Ward,...
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Let's make a deal

Let's make a deal
I'm hitting the road this morning after a nice two-day stop in Ocean Pines. The laptop didn't stay off for as long as I intended, but I definitely reduced the amount of hours spent in front of it. I consider it progress. Maybe the Orioles will swing a trade while I'm driving home. They tend to make news at inconvenient times for me, and traveling on the Bay Bridge when it happened would be pretty inconvenient. It's tough to find a spot to pull over. It seems apparent that executive vice...
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Orioles reportedly interested in McClellan (updated)

Orioles reportedly interested in McClellan (updated)
Let's start off by dismissing any rumors of a proposed trade involving Adam Jones and Adam Wainwright, or the Orioles hiring retired Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa in some capacity. Last night's tweet from Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wasn't referencing either one of those scenarios. According to Strauss, the Orioles are engaged in trade talks with the Cardinals involving pitcher Kyle McClellan, who spent part of last season as their fifth starter before being shut down...
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Could Kotchman become an Oriole?

Could Kotchman become an Oriole?
It's hard to know what executive vice president Dan Duquette has hidden up his sleeve, and there's no point in ordering a strip search. This isn't the security checkpoint at BWI Airport. No one knew that Wilson Betemit was tucked up that sleeve, but he'll be introduced to the Camden Yards crowd on opening day. Taylor Teagarden's name didn't come up among backup catching options until the day that the trade with the Rangers was finalized. The lobby buzz at the Winter Meetings never...
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Hudson claimed by Rangers

Hudson claimed by Rangers
I just returned from the Shorebirds' Hot Stove Banquet at the Delmar VFW, where I was introduced to slippery dumplings. Where have they been all my life? Many thanks to the Shorebirds for making me feel right at home. They also overfed me. And they couldn't have been more gracious hosts. In case you missed my tweet earlier today, the Texas Rangers announced that they signed outfielder Kyle Hudson to a minor league deal with a spring training invite. The Orioles designated Hudson for...
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Robinson breaks clavicle in fall

Robinson breaks clavicle in fall
Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson broke his clavicle last night after falling off a stage during a charity event at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. I received two e-mails earlier today informing me of the injury, and Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post confirmed it here. Capozzi had just returned from Fort Lauderdale Stadium, where Robinson was supposed to attend a charity game to benefit Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood. Witnesses told Capozzi...
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Random thoughts

Random thoughts
You probably know that new special assistant Brady Anderson has been training left-hander Brian Matusz in California. What you might not know is he's got Matusz doing handstands to strengthen the pitcher's shoulder muscles. Anderson, calling into "The Mid-Atlantic Sports Report" yesterday on MASN, explained that the exercise stabilizes the shoulder. It's a common method among Olympic athletes, including the ones that Anderson visited during a recent trip to Japan. I've never been able...
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Brooks Robinson apparently fine after falling at event

Brooks Robinson apparently fine after falling at event
Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson fell off a stage tonight at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood Fla., where he was attending the Joe D Legends Classic. I'm told that he was coherent as paramedics transported him to a local hospital as a precaution. The fall was unrelated to Robinson's previous health issues. Robinson, 74, tumbled as he stood up to leave the stage, which sat a few feet above the floor. Earlier in the night, former Senators and Braves catcher Paul...
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Orioles sign 18-year-old outfielder from Guatemala

Orioles sign 18-year-old outfielder from Guatemala
Forget the free-agent market. The Orioles clearly want to do most of their shopping in the international market. The Orioles have signed Andres Aguilar, an 18-year-old outfielder from Guatemala. He'll be assigned to the Gulf Coast League team unless the roster is full. If there's no room, he'll be placed on the Dominican Summer League team. Here's Aguilar taking a round of batting practice: Fred Ferreira, the Orioles' executive director of international recruiting, returned home from...
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Prospects and other notes

Prospects and other notes
I'm still recovering this morning from the news that Robert Hegyes, who played Juan Epstein on the 1970s hit "Welcome Back, Kotter," died yesterday of a heart attack. He was 60. I've already made a "note from his mother" reference to friends, so you won't be the first. (If you're too young to know what I'm talking about, there's nothing I can do for you. We'll just move on.) Baseball America released its prospect handbook, Here's the top 31 for the Orioles (Yes, 31. The book...
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Orioles announce minor league staffs

Orioles announce minor league staffs
The Orioles finally released the names of their minor league managers and coaches for 2012. There are no surprises among the managers. As you probably have read, former Red Sox first base coach Ron Johnson will be in charge of Triple-A Norfolk. Gary Kendall returns to Double-A Bowie, Orlando Gomez returns to Single-A Frederick and Ryan Minor returns to Single-A Delmarva. Gary Allenson moves down from Norfolk to short-season Single-A Aberdeen. Ramon Sambo returns as manager of the Gulf Coast...
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More on Cespedes

More on Cespedes
The Orioles aren't ready to drop out of the Yoenis Cespedes sweepstakes. They may not be the favorites to sign the Cuban outfielder, but they're still in play. I was told this afternoon that they're still interested in Cespedes despite his struggles in the Dominican Winter League, where he collected only five hits and struck out 10 times in 35 at-bats. They'd rather focus on the .333 average, 33 homers and 99 RBIs he totaled with the Cuban National Team in 2010-11. They're also referring...
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Hoiles, Cespedes and more

Hoiles, Cespedes and more
As I told you yesterday, former Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles will serve as an instructor in spring training. He leaves for Sarasota on Feb. 16, two days before pitchers and catchers report. Hoiles' duties will be more clearly defined next month. He's expected to serve as a roving instructor, moving between the major league and minor league camps. He'll work with the catchers, of course, but he also could offer instruction on hitting. "I'll go back and forth if that's what the team...
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Betemit: "I just want to go out there and play" (with note)

Betemit: "I just want to go out there and play" (with note)
I just got off the phone with newest Oriole Wilson Betemit, who's back home in the Dominican Republic after signing a two-year deal worth $3.25 million that includes a $3.2 million vesting option for 2014. Betemit explained why he chose the Orioles. While the money offered is an obvious reason, he added, "My agent told me I'd get an opportunity to play over there. I just want to go out there and play. It's an opportunity to play and try to help the team win and play whatever position they...
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Where do we go now? (Andino signs)

Where do we go now? (Andino signs)
Prince Fielder is off the board, and we're left to ponder how much the Orioles were really in on him. Or we can just move on and never again speak his name. I felt a sense of relief yesterday after news broke that Fielder had agreed to a nine-year, $214 million contract with the Tigers, who get to wear the 2012 label of "Scott Boras' Mystery Team." Not because, as a few readers suggested, I didn't want the Orioles to sign him. Preposterous. Why would I root against a feared left-handed...
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Fielder agrees to terms with Tigers and life goes on

Fielder agrees to terms with Tigers and life goes on
The Orioles aren't "in on" Prince Fielder anymore, no matter your definition. According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, the Tigers have reached agreement with Fielder on a nine-year deal worth $214 million. There's your mystery team. Agent Scott Boras never fails to find one. The Tigers lost Victor Martinez to a knee injury that most likely will require season-ending surgery, but they figured to search for a temporary replacement. Early speculation had them interested in Johnny Damon,...
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MASN releases its O's spring training schedule

MASN releases its O's spring training schedule
If you can't make it down to Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota for spring training this year, you'll be able to watch six exhibition games from the comfort of your favorite chair or bar stool. You can sweat the details. MASN kicks off its Grapefruit League schedule with a March 5 game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m., so we'll be under the lights. You might be under the influence, depending on where you decide to watch it. Drink and root responsibly. MASN will...
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Duquette on Betemit and Fielder

Duquette on Betemit and Fielder
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette keeps placing emphasis on improving the Orioles' on-base capabilities, and he feels that he took another step in that direction by signing infielder Wilson Betemit to a two-year deal with a vesting option for 2014. Betemit has posted on-base percentages of .378 and .343 the past two seasons. And he's been better hitting from the left side, which also appeals to Duquette. "We like his bat, and if you take a look at what he's done the last two...
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Orioles remove VandenHurk from 40-man roster

Orioles remove VandenHurk from 40-man roster
The Orioles made the signing of Wilson Betemit official this morning, and they cleared room for him on the 40-man roster by designating pitcher Rick VandenHurk for assignment. VandenHurk, 26, allowed eight earned runs in nine innings over four games with the Orioles last season. He was 9-13 with a 4.43 ERA in 26 starts for Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles acquired VandenHurk from the Marlins on July 31, 2010 for left-hander Will Ohman. He's 8-10 with a 5.97 ERA in 46 major league games,...
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