The Thanksgiving holiday is upon us and traditions are being shut down like a spring training camp. Large family gatherings and out-of-state travel are discouraged due to health concerns rather than the bickering and your weird uncle's inappropriate comments. The two football games today interest me about as much as month-old sweet potato casserole, but I'll still watch them. They were supposed to be pigskin appetizers before Ravens-Steelers, which is going to be as satisfying as month-old...

This has been, unfortunately as expected, an awfully slow start to free agency across baseball. Teams so far have been reluctant to spend anything resembling significant money, perhaps because they want to wait and see what the 2021 season is going to look like before committing, perhaps because they already intended to make players wait as long as possible in the final year of the current collective bargaining agreement. There has, however, been just a tiny bit of movement the last couple...

Here is more insight from pitcher Sam Clay from last week's Zoom call on the psychology of baseball. The free agent left-hander was signed by the Nats on Nov. 18 to a major league contract after spending his entire minor league career in the Twins organization. He had been a free agent for only 16 days before the Nationals snatched him up. Clay boasts an amazing number: only six homers allowed in over 405 innings. Clay was asked about the numbers of baseball, whether it is the straight...

It's been a while since we have done this here, so away we go. Time for another day when the readers bring up the topics, and we all dive in with opinions and try to answers any and all questions about the Orioles. Readers, please ask questions in the comments section and I'll do my best to provide answers. As always, others are most welcome to add their thoughts. Some recent topics written about here that could be part of the discussion include the 40-man roster and the recent addition of...

Mike Rizzo has never been shy about dealing away top prospects in exchange for big-name players who could immediately help his Nationals win. This is the general manager, after all, who dealt away Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo López and Dane Dunning for Adam Eaton prior to the 2017 season and then that summer dealt Jesús Luzardo and others to the Athletics for Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson. But those two headline-makers represent the last time the Nats have traded away elite prospects for...

When his cell phone rang Friday, infielder Rylan Bannon was outside doing work around the house. He didn't see a name listed, so it was not one of his usual friends or contacts calling. But this was a call he was going to answer. "It was a random number, it said Baltimore, so I knew I had to answer that one," Bannon said in a Zoom interview yesterday. That was a good move, as the Orioles were calling to tell him he had made their 40-man roster. That is a big deal for any player and a nice...

Isaac Mattson could have competed for a spot in the Orioles bullpen as an invite to spring training, with his contract selected later. Breaking camp with the team would have remained a goal and a possibility. Now he gets to try it as a member of the 40-man roster. Protected from the Rule 5 draft next month. The organization's commitment to him more clearly defined. Mattson was included among the six players added to the roster at Friday's deadline. He's been working out and wondering since...

Since it's Thanksgiving, it's only natural to take a moment to give thanks for the abundance we sometimes take for granted. Really, this should be a daily occurrence. But before you plate the turkey, dig into the sides and ponder the pumpkin pie for dessert, let's take a moment to count our blessings. Since we're a baseball site, we'll start with the national pastime. For as long as I can remember, baseball has been the soundtrack of my life, from the time I tucked my transistor radio...

The improved outfield depth in the Orioles system sets up some interesting competitions next spring. Presents some tricky roster decisions. Makes some players viewed as outsiders motivated to kill the narrative. Ryan McKenna hasn't played above Double-A, with the cancellation of the minor league season preventing an introduction to the International League. He's expected to begin 2021 at Triple-A Norfolk if permitted, but won't be penning his concession speech before arriving at the Ed Smith...

Center fielder Victor Robles is hitting well in the first week of Dominican Winter League play, slashing .316 with a .908 OPS. He has one homer, two RBIs and only three strikeouts in 19 at-bats over five games for Aguilas Cibaenas. Emilio Bonifacio is hitting .300 in three games and Wilmer Difo is hitting .250 over five games. Right-hander Paolo Espino did not allow a run for Toros del Este in his first appearance, with one hit, one walk and one strikeout. Espino made his major league debut for...