Ferreira's pick for next Orioles international signing to reach the majors

Ferreira's pick for next Orioles international signing to reach the majors
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Fred Ferreira, the Orioles' executive director of international recruiting, has signed 61 players who reached the majors. Pitcher Miguel Gonzalez was the latest. Who will be the 62nd? "Probably (Henry) Urrutia," he said earlier today, referencing the Cuban outfielder who signed with the Orioles in July. Urrutia remains in Haiti, awaiting a visa that will allow him to join a team in the Dominican Winter League. The Orioles eventually would move him to Sarasota. The...

A few notes from Nashville

A few notes from Nashville
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Early rumors from Day 2 of the Winter Meetings include the Orioles having interest in Nationals first baseman Michael Morse and Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. The Morse report from FOXSports.com is absolutely correct. However, as I've stated, the interest is lukewarm at the moment. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo told reporters yesterday that he hasn't been contacted by the Orioles. Industry types figure that the Orioles will become more aggressive if Adam LaRoche...

Day 2: What's going on with the bullpen?

Day 2: What's going on with the bullpen?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - I spent the 2011 Winter Meetings stating on a daily basis that the Orioles were going to make a trade. You could count on it. All the signs pointed in that direction. It finally happened with left-hander Dana Eveland, who was acquired from the Dodgers for two minor leaguers. I didn't suggest that it would be a blockbuster. I just said "trade." Well, I'm no longer convinced that the Orioles will pull off a trade here at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention...

The latest from Dan Duquette

The latest from Dan Duquette
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette spent part of today attending a luncheon honoring Fred Ferreira, the club's executive director of international recruiting who was named "International Scout of the Year" by Major League Baseball. He also met, by his estimation, with four executives from other teams and three or four agents. None of the agents represented Orioles who declared for free agency, which includes outfielder Nate McLouth and left-hander Joe...

Morse and LaRoche updates, and your annual Gavin Floyd rumor (updated)

Morse and LaRoche updates, and your annual Gavin Floyd rumor (updated)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette will meet with reporters in about 90 minutes. In the meantime, here's the latest from the lobby. Believe as much or as little as you choose. I'm told that the Orioles have "lukewarm" interest in Nationals first baseman Michael Morse, who could be available in a trade. They're monitoring the D.C. situation. Nats general manager Mike Rizzo told MASNsports.com that he hasn't been contacted by the Orioles during the meetings...

Latest LaRoche rumor and information on charity auction benefiting SU2C

Latest LaRoche rumor and information on charity auction benefiting SU2C
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - An executive of a team that's interested in Adam LaRoche told ESPN's Jayson Stark that the Orioles are going "hard" after the free agent first baseman. The Orioles made LaRoche an offer two winters ago for two years and a vesting option. He turned them down. Now he's 33 and still looking for three guaranteed years for a reported $36 million. Former Orioles executive Andy MacPhail's offer came in around $22 million. LaRoche's timing is pretty good, since he just won...

A few early notes on division rivals, Hall of Fame and Brett Myers

A few early notes on division rivals, Hall of Fame and Brett Myers
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The biggest news to come out of the Winter Meetings this morning involves the Yankees and Red Sox. That's fairly typical, but it's not because the Yankees made a huge splash in the free agent market. A river does run through the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center - I've seen large goldfish and a tour boat - but that's not what I meant. Anyway, Alex Rodriguez has been diagnosed with a tear in his left hip, according to multiple reports, and will undergo...

Betting on the Orioles getting a bat

Betting on the Orioles getting a bat
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Forget what you read last night. The Winter Meetings actually begin today. OK, it's fine to retain the information passed along on Sunday. The Orioles are searching for a hitter to plug into the middle of their lineup. It's most likely to come via a trade. Any free agent signings will be complementary. Nobody who will rock your baseball world. Please stop talking about Josh Hamilton, unless you really get a kick out of doing it. Just know that he's not going to be...

Duquette: "I believe we'll be able to do some good here"

Duquette: "I believe we'll be able to do some good here"
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette took a break from the affiliates dinner tonight at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center to meet with reporters before the Winter Meetings officially get under way. The Orioles remain in the market for a hitter, whether it's left-handed or right-handed. Power is a requirement. And it could be first base, left field or designated hitter. "Our agenda at the Winter Meetings is to try to find a hitter," Duquette said....

Orioles news scarce night before Winter Meetings

Orioles news scarce night before Winter Meetings
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The size of the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center hasn't been exaggerated. It's like a small town. Actually, it's like a regular town. There's nothing small about this place. I'm carrying two maps with routes highlighted to the media workroom and my hotel room. I've gotten lost multiple times. An elderly woman walked me to an elevator after I checked in, because it was easier than repeating her directions, and another one steered me back to the main...

Heading to Nashville for the Winter Meetings

Heading to Nashville for the Winter Meetings
I'm hearing that Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa are looking to make a comeback, and the Orioles are in on all of them. Sorry. Just practicing for the Winter Meetings, where the ridiculous is sold as reality. Scouts and general managers will attach some of the biggest names to the Orioles because, well, it makes sense to them. Not because they're hearing it directly from the Orioles. Not because they've paid attention to executive vice president Dan Duquette, who keeps saying...

Pomeranz to undergo back surgery

Pomeranz to undergo back surgery
The Orioles' decision to designate reliever Stu Pomeranz for assignment and allow him to become a free agent was related to a back injury that will require surgery. The club is in the process of arranging the surgery for Pomeranz, according to an official. He won't pitch in 2013. The injury involves a vertebrae in Pomeranz's lower back and is considered pretty serious, according to another member of the organization. However, the Orioles could choose to re-sign him to a minor league...

Dauer hoping to hear from Orioles

Dauer hoping to hear from Orioles
It doesn't appear that the Orioles will hire a third base coach before convening in Nashville for the Winter Meetings. Rich Dauer is in their Hall of Fame. He's on their list. Now he's just waiting for their phone call. Dauer spent all 10 seasons of his major league career with the Orioles and played on the 1979 and 1983 World Series teams. Recently fired as Rockies third base coach following manager Jim Tracy's resignation, he's hoping to go full circle and land in Baltimore. "I...

Duquette on Reynolds, signings and Navarro

Duquette on Reynolds, signings and Navarro
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said he tried to figure out a way to fit first baseman Mark Reynolds on the team before non-tendering him tonight. "The way his contract is structured and the arbitration process made it challenging," Duquette said. "We just thought the value was too high. The price was too high on his option and the value in the arbitration system was too high to tender him a contract." Asked about the lack of negotiations leading up to tonight's deadline,...

Reynolds is non-tendered (final update)

Reynolds is non-tendered (final update)
The Orioles didn't negotiate a new deal with Mark Reynolds and they didn't trade him. Faced with tonight's deadline for offering contracts to their arbitration-eligible players, they chose to non-tender their first baseman and allow him to become a free agent. "It's official," he said. Reynolds made $7.5 million this year while batting .221/.335/.429 with 26 doubles, 23 homers and 69 RBIs in 135 games. The Orioles declined to pick up his $11 million option for 2013. Reynolds could...

Orioles acquire Yamaico Navarro, reach contract agreements with three

Orioles acquire Yamaico Navarro, reach contract agreements with three
The Orioles have made a flurry of moves as the deadline approaches for offering contracts to their arbitration-eligible players, including a trade and three signings. Infielder Yamaico Navarro was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates for minor league right-hander Jhondaniel Medina. Pitcher Stu Pomeranz was designated for assignment to make room for Navarro, 25, who batted .279/.366/.491 with nine home runs and 35 RBIs in 66 games with Triple-A Indianapolis and .160/.232/.220 with one home run...

Marlins claim Mahoney, and a closer look at Orioles' expected non-tenders

Marlins claim Mahoney, and a closer look at Orioles' expected non-tenders
The Miami Marlins have claimed Joe Mahoney off waivers from the Orioles, who designated him for assignment on Wednesday to make room for third baseman Danny Valencia on the 40-man roster. Mahoney batted .265 with 10 homers and 56 RBIs in 132 games for Triple-A Norfolk in 2012, and made his major league debut for the Orioles, going hitless in four at-bats over two games. So much for "The Big Irish" being the Orioles' first baseman of the future. Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post first...

Reynolds: "I would assume that I'll probably be gone" (with Bergesen note)

Reynolds: "I would assume that I'll probably be gone" (with Bergesen note)
The deadline for teams to offer contracts to their arbitration-eligible players is almost upon us, and the chances of Mark Reynolds staying with the Orioles diminish by the hour. The Orioles still don't seem willing to risk going to arbitration with Reynolds, who could earn around $9 million after making $7.5 million in 2012. Executive vice president Dan Duquette indicated earlier this week that he would explore negotiating a new deal with Reynolds, saying, "We'll see if we can do something...

Orioles release 2013 spring training schedule

Orioles release 2013 spring training schedule
The Orioles have released their 2013 spring training schedule, which includes the Feb. 23 opener against the Minnesota Twins in Sarasota. They also will host Team Brazil on March 6 in preparation for the World Baseball Classic. Pitchers and catchers will report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex on Feb. 12, and position players will report on Feb. 15. The WBC really has caused some major adjustments to the usual routine. The Orioles will face eight different opponents. They will host the Red...

Jim Duquette talks Hamilton and Reynolds, Dan Duquette talks pitching depth

Jim Duquette talks Hamilton and Reynolds, Dan Duquette talks pitching depth
In case you missed yesterday's edition of "The Mid-Atlantic Sports Report" - and there's no excuse, since MASN replayed it at 11:30 p.m. - former executive Jim Duquette speculated that free-agent outfielder Josh Hamilton might have to settle for a deal in "the four-year range," which could make the Orioles a potential suitor. I immediately thanked Duquette for stirring up the masses again. Then we shared a laugh. You should have been there. "Right now there are a bunch of teams sitting...