So, does anyone want to trade places with Brooks Conrad? The Atlanta second baseman committed three errors yesterday, the final one allowing the go-ahead run to score in the ninth inning and putting the Braves within a game of elimination. "I wish I could just dig a hole," Conrad said, "and sleep in it." I'm sure a few of his teammates would bring the shovel. Maybe I just expect too much in the postseason from a player named Brooks. Aubrey Huff delivered a huge hit in the ninth, tying...

A scout from outside the organization who ventured inside Camden Yards over the final weeks of the season made the following observation about Adam Jones, including differences in the center fielder since manager Buck Showalter took control of the club: "I think the biggest guy that I've seen impacted is Jones. I thought in the middle of the season that he was at a crossroads for me, whether he was going to go one way or the other. I think he's really stepped up. "He's got the most...

In 2009, with Bowie, Brandon Erbe was limited to 14 starts due to shoulder problems. This year he had to deal with more shoulder issues. He made 14 starts for Triple-A Norfolk. He would pitch just once after June 20th, throwing a couple of innings on July 24 in an injury-rehab outing with Aberdeen. This time, the problem led him to undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum on August 13th. Angels' physician Dr. Lewis Yocum performed the procedure. "It was the same injury (this season),...

There seemed to be some confusion among fans as to whether Xavier Avery will be playing in the Arizona Fall League. He will be and is indeed on the Scottsdale Scorpions' roster. The AFL season starts on Tuesday. It should be an interesting challenge for the 20-year-old Avery. "It means a lot. It's an opportunity and I'm going to take it, a chance to get better and see better pitchers. Some of the best talent in the minor leagues will be there," Avery said of playing in the AFL. Avery...

I'll be heading to M&T Bank Stadium in a few minutes to shed my sportswriter inhibitions and behave like a fan. That means sitting in the stands, yelling my lungs out and hitting the concessions. And yes, standing in line at the urinals, rocking back and forth from one foot to the other, wishing the guy in front of me hadn't downed 12 beers before deciding to break the seal. It isn't all fun and games. I'll check the blog later, of course, but you'll have to forgive me for straying...

Nationals prospect left-hander Sammy Solis (pronounced soh-lease) is getting ready to start the Arizona Fall league season and head back home. He says his time in Viera with the instructional league squad has been all about getting in condition to pitch against the best in Arizona. It is even more impressive to see Solis excel in Florida and get ready for the AFL, after signing with the Nationals less than two months ago (August 14). "It is actually going really well," Solis said as he...

With word spreading through baseball that Cliff Lee will seek CC Sabathia money this winter, it becomes even less likely that the Orioles will make a run at him. And it was a long shot coming out of the gates. We already know that the corner infield spots will garner the most attention, which sounds vaguely familiar. Didn't we do this same dance last winter? At least we can eliminate Garrett Atkins and Miguel Tejada from the discussion. And I won't be fooled again by Joe Crede, who didn't...

When it comes to quantifying defense, we just don't have many stats that really provide the value of a player that offensive stats can provide. It is easy to see which player drives in a lot of runs and gets on base a lot, but which players keep runs from scoring? Which players create confidence and a real peace of mind for a young pitcher when they are playing behind him? Hard to put a stat on that. Despite the obvious offensive shortcomings, I think the O's should resign Cesar Izturis...

The most shocking development in the playoffs for me, and I'm probably not alone, has to be the Rangers 2-0 lead over the Rays as the Division Series heads to Arlington. How strange that two managers had never been ejected on the same day in the postseason until Joe Maddon and Ron Gardenhire were tossed yesterday. Watching Matt Treanor behind the plate for the Rangers yesterday reminds me that the Orioles made a strong push for him at the Winter Meetings two years ago, but he rejected them....

Left-hander Sammy Solis has adapted well to the instructional league in Viera and is now ready to take on the challenge of the Arizona Fall League. The Nationals' second round selection, 51st overall, grew up in Arizona and went to school in San Diego, so he is thrilled to get a chance to pitch in such a prestigious offseason league that is stocked with potential superstars of the future. Last year, wunderkinds Jason Heyward and Stephen Strasburg played in Arizona before dazzling in the...