The official report date for pitchers and catchers has arrived

SARASOTA, Fla. - My flight out of Baltimore departed yesterday at 1:45 p.m. I arrived at my hotel in Sarasota around 10 p.m. Not quite the way I drew it up. In between, there was an unexpected landing in Orlando, complications with my rental car and an hour-long drive from Tampa. Upon arriving at my hotel, I was reminded how the internet is slower than Jose Molina. It doesn't matter if you try to use a wireless card. It's the same hamster on a wheel. Hope you enjoy being disconnected at random intervals, because that's all part of the deluxe package. Good thing I don't need to pass a physical here. My blood pressure still hasn't come down to a normal reading. But enough about me. How's the weather back home? Pitchers and catchers are required to report today, but lots of guys already have been working out at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. They were eager to get out of the cold, and who could blame them? It's also a wise decision if you're competing for a job. Manager Buck Showalter notices these things. The clubhouse will be open to the media for one hour today. Otherwise, there will be a lot of standing around outside while pitchers throw bullpen sessions and players coming off surgeries continue their rehab programs. I'll break out the tape measure to check the distance of Dylan Bundy's throws off flat ground. He continues to make good progress following ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow. Wei-Yin Chen also will be watched closely following knee surgery in October. He's expected to be ready on opening day, but he's still going to be scrutinized, especially after missing two months last season with an oblique injury. The Orioles need to keep him healthy for an entire season. After all, he currently projects as their No. 2 starter. Could the Orioles reach an agreement today with Korean right-hander Suk-min Yoon? They're believed to be hammering out the final details. Would they confirm one if it happened? Not without a physical, and let's keep in mind that Yoon sustained a shoulder injury last year. If the Orioles are going to make a significant addition to their rotation or lineup, they're pretty much forced to surrender that first-round draft pick. The bigger names come at a bigger cost with Bronson Arroyo and A.J. Burnett off the board. Executive vice president Dan Duquette traveled to Sarasota on Tuesday and will try to hammer out a deal down here.