Quick FanFest update

Quick FanFest update
As I was heading out the door, the Orioles confirmed that FanFest 2010 will take place on Jan. 23 at the Baltimore Convention Center. Just when I think I'm out, they pull me back in. The event will be held from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. with early entry for season plan holders beginning at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for children 14 and under and anyone over 55. All proceeds will go toward signing a first baseman. OK, kidding. Individual game tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m....

Another blockbuster trade on the horizon?

Another blockbuster trade on the horizon?
I read a report today that says the Red Sox are aggressively pursuing first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. I also read a report that says the two sides aren't talking. I read a report today that says the Mets are offering a five-year deal to free-agent outfielder Jason Bay. I also read a report that says the Mets haven't offered more than four years. Again, welcome to the Hot Stove season. Be careful if you want to touch it. My friend Jorge Arangure at ESPN.com - that's right, Jorge, we're...

Debating Guthrie's role

Debating Guthrie's role
The news that evangelist Oral Roberts died yesterday from complications of pneumonia reminded me of how, as a kid, I'd see "Oral Roberts" listed in TV Guide and think it was "Orioles Report." I'd be all bummed out because we didn't get that station and I was missing all the news and highlights about my favorite team. What a loser. Earlier this week on SIRIUS XM's MLB Home Plate channel, host Steve Davis (formerly of WBAL Radio) asked Orioles pitching coach Rick Kranitz whether...

Chapman update

Chapman update
John Stockstill, the Orioles' director of international scouting, is flying back to Baltimore tonight after watching Aroldis Chapman's bullpen session earlier today in Houston and also meeting with the Cuban left-hander's representatives. Stockstill estimated that Chapman threw 75 pitches, with representatives for 20-25 clubs in attendance. "It was not really set up for evaluations," Stockstill said. "They wanted to let everybody see that he's healthy. He threw a light bullpen. Now...

MacPhail named to committee

MacPhail named to committee
Major League Baseball announced earlier today that commissioner Bud Selig has formed a special committee of baseball managers, general managers, presidents and owners to "review and examine all on-field related issues." Included in the group is Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail. Also included are managers Tony La Russa, Jim Leyland, Mike Scioscia and Joe Torre; executives Terry Ryan, John Schuerholz, and Mark Shapiro; and owners and presidents Chuck Armstrong, Paul...

Suggestions for replacing Buck

Suggestions for replacing Buck
Buck Martinez's departure from MASN has left an empty seat in the broadcast booth for about half the games on the Orioles' 2010 schedule, and the network could choose to go in a few directions. Former pitcher/pitching coach/team executive Mike Flanagan is one possibility. The network also could promote from within and expand the role of Dave Johnson, who's part of 105.7 The Fan's pre- and post-game shows and the Wall-to-Wall Baseball program that airs Saturday mornings on MASN. According...

Brian's song

Brian's song
OK, let's get the important stuff out of the way. Brian Matusz confirmed that he'll wear No. 17 next season if the Orioles follow through on his request. "I asked for Aubrey Huff's number last year when he got traded," Matusz told me last night after we decided to stop playing phone tag. "I said, 'Would you mind if I took over 17?' And he said, 'No, I'm done.' I asked when I knew he was leaving. "I know I'm still a rookie next year and shouldn't be asking for my own number, but...

Three's company

Three's company
The much-anticipated, overly tweeted, three-way deal that would shift Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee to new teams appears to be a reality. Once the medical records are reviewed and physicals are taken, we should get the official announcement. You may celebrate Halladay's departure from the American League. He was a royal pain to the Orioles, going 20-4 with a 2.89 ERA in his career. Let the NL East worry about him now that he's heading to the Phillies. Cliff Lee, also a free agent after the...

Confirmation on Capps

Confirmation on Capps
The Orioles have expressed interest in free-agent closer Matt Capps, who was non-tendered by the Pirates over the weekend. Agent Paul Kinzer expects to talk to president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail later today or tomorrow. The amount of interest hasn't been determined. Maybe they're just kicking the tires. Or perhaps Capps will be given serious consideration. It's difficult to know at this early stage of negotiations. Kinzer estimated that "nine or 10" teams have contacted...

Stop, Luke and listen - Part II

Stop, Luke and listen - Part II
Orioles outfielder/designated hitter Luke Scott - or maybe it should be the other way around, and I don't mean Scott Luke - labeled the Kevin Millwood acquisition at the Winter Meetings as being a "great trade, if you ask me." I did. Scott also posed his own question. Then he answered it. "Does it fix our problems? No." He's a virtual one-man interview. "We need more than just one starter," he said. "We need a dominant No. 1 if we want to compete in the AL East." He also...

Stop, Luke and listen

Stop, Luke and listen
The Orioles will be announcing a new field coach at Triple-A Norfolk. Dallas Williams isn't returning in 2010. Luke Scott was tendered a contract yesterday, as expected, and he'll likely reach an agreement with the Orioles in January. That's how it played out last winter. He's not guaranteed a roster spot, however. Scott knows he's a trade chip for the Orioles, though president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail isn't concerned about a logjam in the outfield. During the Winter...

No closer to a decision on a closer

No closer to a decision on a closer
Since the Orioles don't appear to be in any hurry to sign a closer, we can debate the merits of another one that hit the market yesterday, right-hander Matt Capps, who was non-tendered by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Capps has accumulated 66 saves over the past three seasons on bad teams. His ERA was 2.08 and 3.02 in the two previous seasons before jumping to 5.80 in 2009. He also served up 10 home runs, matching his combined totals in '07 and '08, and he allowed 73 hits in 54 1/3...

Brian Bass non-tendered

Brian Bass non-tendered
The Orioles have tendered contracts to their last two arbitration-eligible players, pitcher Jeremy Guthrie and outfielder/designated hitter Luke Scott. Guthrie and Scott can agree to terms or counter with their own proposals. If the two sides can't get a deal done, they'll go to arbitration later this winter. Neither negotiation figures to reach that point. The Orioles have non-tendered reliever Brian Bass, making him a free agent. Bass went 5-3 with a 4.90 ERA in 48 games. "It didn't...

Two down

Two down
President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail just confirmed that relievers Matt Albers and Cla Meredith have agreed to terms, leaving Jeremy Guthrie and Luke Scott as the only arbitration-eligible Orioles without contract offers before the midnight deadline. Shouldn't be much drama there. MacPhail could still choose to non-tender a few players who aren't eligible for arbitration. There's been some speculation in the past about Brian Bass and Dennis Sarfate. We'll know for sure later...

The Atkins diet

The Atkins diet
MLB.com is reporting that the Colorado Rockies thinned their roster (see what I did there?) by non-tendering third baseman Garrett Atkins, a move that had been anticipated for months Atkins, who made $7.05 million this season, was offered a multi-year deal two years ago. He should have taken it. Now he's a free agent and anyone can sign him. The Orioles have some interest and didn't engage in serious trade talks with the Rockies because they anticipated that he would hit the open...

A little housekeeping

A little housekeeping
Before we move on from the winter meetings, let's take a look back. Try not to get misty. DECEMBER 7 Atlanta Braves - Designated OF Ryan Church for assignment. Colorado Rockies - Released OF Matt Murton. Detroit Tigers - Acquired a player to be named later for LHP Clay Rapada. Milwaukee Brewers - Signed C Gregg Zaun to a one-year contract. Claimed INF Luis Cruz off waivers from the Pirates. Minnesota Twins - Designated RHP Boof Bonser for assignment. New York Yankees - Acquired a player to be...

A Marquis pitcher on the market

A Marquis pitcher on the market
President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail told reporters before leaving Indianapolis that he'd still like to add another pitcher despite the trade for Kevin Millwood. The Orioles, he reminded us, are in the pitching business. A recently published report includes the Orioles among the teams interested in veteran right-hander Jason Marquis, but they're more likely to sign a pitcher who's coming off injury to an incentive-ladened deal. Marquis' agents are Sam and Seth Levinson, who...

Leaving Indy

Leaving Indy
I arrived at my gate at 5:30 a.m. for the flight home. Time once again to question why I didn't go to medical school. The guy working security kept struggling to pronounce my first name as he studied my drivers license. I finally assisted him after wondering why it mattered. I'll naturally be away from the laptop for a large chunk of the morning, but I'll get to your comments as soon as possible. In the meantime, I'm pretty much out of Orioles news at the moment. Agent Adam Katz told me...

Getting to third base

Getting to third base
As I walked through the lobby of the Westin around noon today, I saw president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail and other team personnel gathering for the drive to the airport and their trip back to Baltimore. I was tempted to ask whether MASNsports.com could shoot video of him going through security, but I figured he needed a break from us. MacPhail believes in letting the market play out at certain positions if Player A isn't deemed significantly better than Player Z. Pedro Feliz,...

And so it ends (almost)...

And so it ends (almost)...
It feels like I just got here. The 2009 Winter Meetings are drawing to a close. That 5 p.m. Southwest flight back to Baltimore will be packed. Unfortunately, I'm not on it. Roch and ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick recap the 2009 Winter Meetings Maybe it's just paranoia, or bad planning, but I'm staying here in case something breaks late. It's not expected, but I'm always reminded of the meetings a few years ago when shortstop Miguel Tejada, interviewed in the Dominican, "suggested" that a...