We'll find out later today whether left-hander Brian Matusz has been voted as the American League's Rookie of the Year. If baseball handed out second-half awards, he'd be a slam dunk. Matusz finished 10-12 with a 4.30 ERA and led AL rookies with 32 starts, 143 strikeouts and 175 2/3 innings. He ranked second in opponents' average at .255 and was tied for second in wins and third in ERA. Matusz went 7-1 with a 2.11 ERA in his last 11 starts covering 64 innings. That's how you leave an...

Now that free agency is here, it's time to find out what the fans think. At least those of you that will read this blog today. Pick one of these listed below that you feel best represents how you feel the club will do this winter in an attempt to fill some holes and improve the club. Feel free to explain more about why you answered how you did. Feel free to select "other" if none listed below characterize your feelings and tell us what thoughts you do have on the team. A: The O's...

Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond is excited to get started with the 2011 season after a pretty impressive rookie campaign. Desmond was in town last week and sporting the new Nationals uniforms which he says are a perfect fit for the young, up-and-coming franchise. "I like them," says Desmond. "It is a new look, a new team, hopefully a new attitude next year." His favorite are the home whites and Desmond says the new uniforms have an "old school" feel to them. "This gives the team a...

I'm packed and getting ready to head back home after a nice, relaxing, food-filled weekend in Ocean Pines. The general manager meetings - not to be confused with the organizational, owners and winter meetings - take place Tuesday and Wednesday in Orlando. They're regarded as a primer for the winter meetings. Parameters of deals are discussed and executives vow to resume talks next month. They also eat lunch. These meetings could be more important now than previous years because president of...

Here is a question that will probably make Andy MacPhail's critics, and some feel that is a large list, move front and center. Do you feel that MacPhail moves too slowly in dealing with free agents? For those critics, I just lobbed a softball that they can hit out of the park. But one thing I have come to realize over the years, first as a talk-show host and now as a blogger is this - the fans that jam the phone lines and message boards don't represent everyone. Because many readers or...

I've emerged from my food coma, though I sense that another one is on the way. These weekends in Ocean Pines don't come without certain risks. The Sun is reporting that former Pirates manager John Russell interviewed with Buck Showalter yesterday. He could fill the role of bench or third base coach, and he's a former catcher. It's another name to toss into the pile. Gary Allenson would have to consider that managing job at Triple-A Norfolk if Russell is hired, because the Orioles don't...

During my recent interview with O's minor league catcher Caleb Joseph, not only did we talk about some adjustments he is making on offense and defense, we hit on some other topics as well. Like the fact that last year he was ranked as the O's 10th best prospect by Baseball America. But, now, after hitting .235 at Double-A Bowie, he has fallen out of those lists. "I knew before the season was over I would not be on any top ten lists. That's OK, it's great to be recognized. But going...

Nationals reliever Tyler Clippard was in town this week to check out the new uniforms for 2011 and work out with the students in the 5th grade P.E. Class at Long Branch elementary school in Arlington, Virginia. Clippard and pitcher Jordan Zimmermann were on hand at Long Branch to teach the kids proper technique while throwing balls to a fellow student. They also answered questions about what it is like to be a major league baseball player. "It is everything," says Clippard. "We...

Washington Third Bagger is One of Five to Win Award for Second Consecutive Season Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman tonight was named the recipient of the 2010 Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger for National League third basemen. The Silver Slugger citation is the second of Zimmerman's career. He earned his initial Silver Slugger last season. Zimmerman recorded arguably his finest offensive campaign in 2010, hitting a career-best .307 (161-for-525) with 32 doubles, 25 home...

Most minor league players are thrilled to be invited to the Arizona Fall League. The League is often filled with prospects and has graduated many players to the Major Leagues. O's minor league catcher Caleb Joseph is there now with the Scottsdale Scorpions. As a taxi squad player, he only gets into two games a week. But that hasn't stopped him from reaping big benefits of playing in the AFL. Joseph has taken the time when he is not playing to work on his game and make big improvements on...