Three-year offer for LaRoche? (with Accardo update)

I received a call at 6 a.m. with an automated message alerting me that Carroll County schools are opening two hours late. I texted my daughter, who responded with a "Yes!!" and went back to sleep. I had two dreams that I can remember: Rushing somewhere to conduct an interview for the blog, and co-hosting a sports talk show on MASN. Not exactly an escape from reality. I remember the days when I'd dream about Salma Hayek. What's happened to me? (I'm sure my parents remember the days when they'd actually knock on my bedroom door with news of school delays and closings. No texting.) Anyway, I'm thinking that it's not easy being the Yankees these days. Their legendary shortstop is mad at them, their legendary closer contacted the Red Sox during free agency, Cliff Lee rejected them and Zach Greinke lists them among the teams in his no-trade clause. But they did sign Mark Prior to a minor league deal, so they've got that going for them, which is nice. MASN's Jen Royle informed me via text message last night that the Orioles offered Adam LaRoche a three-year deal, according to a source close to the negotiations. No other details were available. I didn't hear back from two team officials, seeking confirmation or a stern denial. The Orioles liked LaRoche last winter, but wouldn't go higher than one year. He took a very similar offer from the Diamondbacks. I rolled my eyes when reports surfaced that LaRoche wanted a three-year contract, figuring it was beyond his reach. Two years seemed like a more realistic possibility. An official passed along word yesterday that the Orioles weren't closing in on a deal with LaRoche. No need to keep my fingers on the home row, waiting to type up the announcement. That could mean LaRoche has other three-year offers on the table that he's considering, or he's hoping that one surfaces from a contender. Meanwhile, I filed a mock lineup and 25-man roster to a national publication yesterday and put Luke Scott at first base. I didn't really have a choice. I made Nolan Reimold the designated hitter and listed Jake Fox, Cesar Izturis, Brendan Harris and Craig Tatum as the reserves. It will be outdated by spring training. The Orioles will sign a first baseman or designated hitter. I'm not convinced that Harris makes this team. But that's my view in mid-December. For what it's worth, my rotation unfolded as Jeremy Guthrie, Brian Matusz, Brad Bergesen, Jake Arrieta and Chris Tillman. I put Rick VandenHurk in the bullpen as the long man. I realized later that I only put six relievers in the bullpen. Once again, I totally forgot about Alfredo Simon. Why does that keep happening? Maybe those 10 home runs in 49 appearances created some sort of mental block. I blame AOL. Update: Former Blue Jays reliever Jeremy Accardo passed his physical and signed a one-year contract. Accardo, who turns 29 tomorrow, went 3-2 with a 3.48 ERA and 24 saves in 42 games with Triple-A Las Vegas in 2010. In six major league seasons, Accardo has held left-handed hitters to a .205 average, .292 on-base percentage and .279 slugging percentage. Not bad for a right-handed pitcher. Accardo set career-highs with four wins and 30 saves and posted a 2.14 ERA for the Blue Jays in 2007, adding 57 strikeouts and a 1.11 WHIP.