I have heard some fans and media guys over the years say the quality start stat is not a good one because you can have an ERA of 4.50 and get a quality start. For those that don't know, a quality start is defined as an outing where a starting pitcher goes six innings or more and gives up three earned runs or less. So, yes, if you give up exactly 3ER over 6IP, you fulfill the minimum requirement and your ERA for that game is 4.50. But if you give up 2ER over 6IP, the ERA is 3.00. If you...

The Orioles thought their coaching staff was completed with Juan Samuel returning to third base and Don Wakamatsu taking a seat in the dugout beside manager Buck Showalter, and you know how that scenario turned out. Wakamatsu agreed to become the Blue Jays' bench coach and Samuel was hired as the Phillies' third base coach and outfield instructor. Four slots are currently filled, but there are growing concerns that the Orioles could lose bullpen coach Rick Adair, who might be coveted as a...

The MLB Network just ran a scroll informing viewers that the Phillies have hired Juan Samuel as third base coach and outfield instructor. Outfield? Let me explain. Former Orioles coach and manager Sam Perlozzo will move to the first base box. He's one of baseball's most respected infield instructors, which explains why Samuel will be assigned to the outfielders. Samuel was expected to stay in the Orioles' organization and resume his duties as third base coach, but he couldn't pass up an...

I don't like the Ravens on the road in a short week. I'm just saying... The Mets reportedly are hoping to name a new manager by the winter meetings. The winter meetings? Other teams are making their hires and moving forward, and the Mets keep dragging their feet. Such an embarrassment. Why can't they be like other organizations. This is Metland! OK, sorry. Actually, frustrated fans probably refer to it as Metlife, which works for me. I've seen a report stating that free-agent first...

Checking in and commenting on some recent news around the baseball world: Cashman courts Lee: No one should be surprised the Yankees' GM headed to Arkansas to talk with Cliff Lee and his agent. Why aren't the O's headed there too? Because they have no shot at Lee and it's crazy to pay 100 million or more for a pitcher. Pitchers get hurt and most megabucks free agent contracts for pitchers have backfired, dating back to Kevin Brown and the Dodgers. You can add Mike Hampton and...

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper had a tremendous Wednesday in guiding the Scottsdale Scorpions to a 11-1 win over Peoria. Harper went 2-for-5 with two triples, two RBI and scored two runs. Harper is now batting .357, 10-for-28 with two doubles, two triples, one homer and 6 RBI. His SLG% is now .679. General manager Mike Rizzo is very impressed with Harper's solid steps in the AFL. "The competition alone for him playing in the Arizona fall league is tremendous for him and for his...

The new Nationals jerseys will prominently and proudly feature the beloved "curly W" logo, a change that marks both a new beginning and an authentic bond with the past. First adopted by the Washington Senators in 1963, the curly W is still a big part of baseball's brand in the nation's capital. Whether we're marking curly W's in our scorebooks or showing support for our hometown team with a simple cap, that symbol has come to succinctly represent the essence of Nationals baseball. That...

You can always count on Baseball America's Matt Eddy to provide the latest minor league transactions. He compiled a list of all the free agents, which includes 22 members of the Orioles' organization in 2010: RHP: Jose Diaz (AA), Jose Duran (A), Frank Mata (AAA), Bob McCrory (AA), Jim Miller (AAA), Andy Mitchell (AAA), Josh Perrault (AA), Bruno Sanchez (SS), Dennis Sarfate (AAA) LHP: Chris George (AAA), Mike Hinckley (AAA), Wilfrido Perez (AA) C: Zach Booker (AA), Phillip Britton (AAA),...

After recently parting ways with ARAMARK, the only previous food vendor in OPACY history, the Orioles today announced a new partnership with Delaware North Companies Sportservice, who will begin providing food, beverage and retail merchandise services at the Yard in 2011. Sportservice will manage all concessions, catering, dining operations and retail stores and kiosks within the ballpark, including Eutaw Street. According to Orioles Director of Communications Greg Bader, the O's expect the...

On Wednesday afternoon, Washington Nationals pitchers Jordan Zimmermann and Tyler Clippard visited Long Branch Elementary School in Arlington to teach children about healthy lifestyles. Zimmermann and Clippard answered questions for the students about how they learned to play baseball, what it's like to play for the Nationals and how to stay motivated after a bad game. They also talked about facing Albert Pujols, admiring Greg Maddux and careers they may have pursued if baseball hadn't...