Day Two of the Winter Meetings

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter will be made available to the media today at 2:30 p.m. The local beat crew will have to share him with the rest of the Winter Meeting's world. Reliever Ryan Webb will take his physical in Baltimore this morning, and the announcement of his two-year, $4.50 million deal could be announced later in the day. Webb will leave the Orioles with 38 players on the 40-man roster. Still plenty of room for that Rule 5 pick on Thursday. Heck, the Orioles might make a trade or sign a free agent. Anything is possible here at the Swan and Dolphin Resort at Walt Disney World. When you wish upon a star... Let's recap yesterday's activity and rumors: The Orioles met with the representatives for outfielder Nelson Cruz. He's still an option as a right-handed bat in left field and at designated hitter, though the Orioles would prefer a left-handed hitter and a better defender. The Orioles cut the Cord. Yes, I've been waiting to write it. They outrighted infielder Cord Phelps to Triple-A Norfolk, removing him from the 40-man roster. The Orioles were linked to starters Jason Hammel, Bartolo Colon and Johan Santana. Hammel reportedly is seeking a three- or four-year deal, which will eliminate the Orioles from contention. Colon and Santana figure to settle for one-year deals. Santana must prove that his left shoulder is actually in one piece. The Orioles remain interested in closer John Axford, and they're now linked to Grant Balfour. However, Balfour would have to lower his price to fit with the Orioles, who weren't willing to shell out $10-$11 million for Jim Johnson. Axford would seem to be a more realistic signing, though Chris Perez and Fernando Rodney also are in the mix. The Orioles reportedly have "checked in on" Marlins first baseman/left fielder Logan Morrison. He's a left handed hitter. He would make sense. One report had the Orioles "looking hard" at Mets infielder/outfielder Daniel Murphy. Another report stated that the first report was grossly exaggerated. Executive vice president Dan Duquette stated yesterday that he expected outfielder Rajai Davis to sign in the next day or two. I checked around and found out that the Orioles aren't in on him. It was a nice rumor while it lasted. There will be plenty of others today.