Is Mark Trumbo the 2016 offseason version of Chris Davis? There are the obvious differences, including Davis' ability to land a seven-year, $161 million contract with the Orioles. Trumbo is lined up for a significant bump in salary, but not to the same degree. Certainly not with the Orioles, whose payroll would crumble like a jelly donut in Sidney Ponson's pants pocket. (I seriously have nothing against Ponson, but I've convinced myself that I'll drop dead if I don't make one joke a year....

We probably won't get any answers from outfielder Dexter Fowler or agent Casey Close of Excel Sports Management on these questions, but we can still wonder about some of them. * If Fowler and Close sought an opt-out clause, why were they negotiating with one team that has said it will not provide one? In his statement last night, Close said, "Both the Orioles front office and members of the media were so busy recklessly spreading rumors that they forgot or simply chose not to concern...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Not only did the Orioles receive the news earlier today that outfielder Dexter Fowler decided to re-sign with his old team, they later absorbed thunderous blows from his agent via a statement. Casey Close didn't pull any punches. And Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette, in a much calmer but firm tone, didn't take them lying down. Fowler shocked the industry, at least outside Cubs camp, but showing up today and signing a one-year, $8 million contract that includes a...