Orioles return Dave Anderson to organization (and other notes)

NASHVILLE - The Orioles officially brought back Dave Anderson to the organization, hiring him for his old job as minor league infield coordinator.

Anderson, the former Dodgers infielder, managed the Angels' Triple-A affiliate in Salt Lake over the summer. He expressed interest in returning to the Orioles after a one-year absence and they were happy to oblige.

Kevin Bradshaw, hired by the Orioles as Anderson's replacement, will run extended spring training and coach in Florida, his duties including bunting and baserunning instruction.

Before coming to the Orioles, Anderson coached third base with the Rangers from 2009-2012 and first base in 2013. He spent 10 seasons in the majors, including eight with the Dodgers.

Fun fact: Anderson was due to bat in Game 1 of the World Series when manager Tommy Lasorda sent up injured Kirk Gibson, who hit one of the most famous home runs in baseball history. Anderson took a few steps toward the plate before being called back to the dugout. Gibson took a lot of painful steps around the bases.

Other notes:

* The Orioles and Royals were scheduled to talk yesterday to find whether they might match up for a trade. That's all I know. Let your imaginations run wild.

I heard yesterday that the Royals were prepared to replace Alex Gordon in left field with speedster Jarrod Dyson, which general manager Dayton Moore confirmed today to reporters.

The Orioles maintain interest in Gordon, a left-handed hitting corner outfielder who can get on base.

* The Orioles have talked to the Brewers about acquiring Adam Lind and the Rangers about acquiring Mitch Moreland, according to FOXSports.com.

Lind and Moreland make sense because they're left-handed hitters and provide more insurance in case the Orioles can't re-sign Chris Davis. And both players have been on the Orioles' radar in previous years.

Lind, 32, is a career .293/.354/.509 hitter against right-handers and a .213/.259/.327 hitter against left-handers. He's produced a .295/.358/.461 slash line in 115 games against the Orioles and a .288/.363/.395 line in 61 games at Camden Yards.

Moreland, 30, is a career .267/.328/.469 hitter against right-handers and a .233/.290/.359 hitter against left-handers. He's batted .260/.322/.442 in 29 career games against the Orioles and .286/.355/.571 with five home runs in 16 games at Camden Yards.

Lind and Moreland are eligible for free agency following the 2016 season. Lind will make $8 million and Moreland is arbitration-eligible.

* I reported this morning that the Orioles are meeting with agent Scott Boras. I received further confirmation that Pedro Alvarez also is a hot topic of conversation. It's not only about Davis.

As manager Buck Showalter would say, the Orioles have lots of irons in the fire.

* The Orioles will have the 15th pick in Thursday's Rule 5 draft and they're going to take a player.

Teams ahead of them can pass, of course, but they're in the 15th slot.