Ripken's opinion on going from short to third

Ripken's opinion on going from short to third
You want to know what it's like to move from shortstop to third base? You wonder about the adjustments, both mental and physical, that come with it? You need to know whether Miguel Tejada can make the switch so late in his career? Here's my question: Why are you asking me? Instead of subjecting you to my theories and speculation, I'll just let Cal Ripken take it from here. He's more qualified, from what I've been told. "The hardest part is reworking the way that you think about...

A few notes

A few notes
I'm told that the official announcement on Mark Hendrickson's one-year deal with the Orioles could come tomorrow. I wouldn't expect to hear anything today. I guess physicals take longer for guys who are 6 feet 9 or taller. The Orioles re-signed pitcher Andy Mitchell to a minor league deal, according to Baseball America's Matt Eddy. Mitchell's name isn't included on the list of spring training invites, which ends one of my favorite baseball traditions - watching him warm up in the...

Sarfate stays in organization (with quotes)

Sarfate stays in organization (with quotes)
Dennis Sarfate has cleared waivers after being designated for assignment last week, and the Orioles outrighted him to Triple-A Norfolk. Sarfate received an invitation to spring training and will attempt to make the club as a non-roster pitcher. I would expect to see Sarfate back in Baltimore at some point this summer if he remains in the organization. His primary competition in Sarasota will come from Matt Albers, Cla Meredith and Kam Mickolio. The Orioles also could move David Hernandez or...

Caleb Joseph's perspective on API

Caleb Joseph's perspective on API
I've had a few readers wonder why a growing number of players are spending their winters at the Athletes' Performance Institute in Arizona, rather than working out at their local gym or hiring a personal trainer who makes house calls. Minor league catcher Caleb Joseph lived with Brian Matusz for part of the offseason, and they joined Brian Roberts and Adam Jones for daily sessions at API that concentrated on fitness and nutrition. I'm told Joseph returned home in better condition, and...

Shameless plug alert

Shameless plug alert
I'll be joining Tom Davis and Phil Wood today for a special edition of "Wall to Wall Baseball" on MASN. The show runs from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and includes a call-in segment with manager Dave Trembley around 4:15 p.m. I'll torture him and ask for his Opening Day lineup and rotation. The latest on Erik Bedard includes a blog out of Seattle from MLB.com's Jim Street that implies, but doesn't confirm, that the Mariners have prepared an offer to the left-hander. Maybe they've made an...

Parker suspended

Parker suspended
Orioles minor league pitcher Brian Parker has received a 50-game suspension from the office of the commissioner after a second positive test for a "drug of abuse" that violates the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The suspension for Parker, currently on Double-A Bowie's roster, will begin at the start of the 2010 season. Parker led Single-A Frederick with 35 appearances last season, going 4-3 with a 4.31 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings.

Where Markakis hits

Where Markakis hits
I've made the assumption that three spots in the Orioles' batting order are set. Brian Roberts leads off, Nick Markakis hits third and Cesar Izturis hits ninth. It's the rest of the lineup that's been a mystery. I still believe you'll it see play out that way on most nights, but manager Dave Trembley suggested yesterday that only two spots are locked up. "I would say one and nine," Trembley said yesterday during his call-in segment on Wall to Wall Baseball. "I wouldn't say three is...

A few updates and notes

A few updates and notes
Logistical issues and some follow-up testing have caused a delay in Mark Hendrickson's new contract becoming official. We probably won't get an announcement before Monday, but it's coming. The Orioles haven't dismissed the idea of signing another starting pitcher before spring training, but they're focused only on non-roster deals at the moment. Unless something comes up unexpectedly that makes sense, they won't be offering a major league contract to a starter or reliever. The Orioles...

Digging out and pitching in

Digging out and pitching in
A polar bear knocked on my door this morning and asked when pitchers and catchers report. Is that weird? I've shoveled my sidewalk and dug out my car five times, once rising out of bed at 5 a.m., and I still can't keep ahead of this storm. And I did it with my fingers crossed, hoping and praying that my power doesn't go out. I couldn't get my door open earlier this morning, and then I couldn't get it to close behind me. I decided to leave it ajar and not risk being stuck in a...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Erik Bedard deal makes more sense now that the Seattle media has determined that it includes a mutual option for 2011. Initial reports mentioned only the $1.5 million base salary and incentives. Why would any team sign him for one season when he might not be available for at least the first two months, and will be less than a year removed from labrum surgery? Does anyone really think that Bedard is going to blow away hitters this summer after undergoing such a serious medical procedure...

Getting in position

Getting in position
By this time next week, I'll be tossing clothes in a suitcase and wondering how much AirTran will charge me for the privilege of checking in for my flight to Sarasota. Southwest doesn't fly into that city, which is one strike against the Orioles' spring training relocation. But I'm sure another airline can provide me with the same travel issues that hound me each year. It's a tradition of sorts and I'd hate to see it end. The Orioles' camp roster isn't set, since they continue to...

Staff injections (with update)

Staff injections (with update)
Keep your hands off my mama, keep your hands off my Doritos. Consider yourselves warned. Since we examined the 13 available spots for position players earlier today, let's shift to the 12-man pitching staff. Keep in mind, of course, that performances and potential late acquisitions will influence the list. We're tackling this issue on Feb. 8 (and doing a much better job of it than the Colts' secondary). Kevin Millwood, Jeremy Guthrie, Brad Bergesen and Brian Matusz are expected to break...

Where there's a Will...

Where there's a Will...
I bet you thought I was going to say Will Ohman. According to a tweet (there's that word again) from FoxSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi, the Orioles have signed left-handed reliever Will Startup to a minor league contract. No word on whether he'll receive a spring training invite, but I'd ship him in bubble wrap. Startup, 25, missed the entire 2008 season and most of 2009 with injuries - he reportedly underwent Tommy John surgery - but he's posted a 2.70 ERA in four minor league seasons....

Start Me Up

Start Me Up
Darren in GB and Tom McAllister beat me to it. Will Startup's intro music has to be "Start Me Up" by The Rolling Stones. No arguments. As a reminder to the terminally negative on this blog, Startup is a minor league signing who gives the Orioles another left-hander for their farm system. He isn't being trumpeted as the free agent who will push them ahead of the Yankees and Red Sox. He's organizational bullpen depth, and his numbers were pretty good before the Tommy John surgery. What's...

Where there's another Will (w/Hendrickson news)

Where there's another Will (w/Hendrickson news)
It's official: The Orioles have re-signed Mark Hendrickson and designated reliever Armando Gabino for assignment. Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail just confirmed that the club has signed pitcher Will Ohman to a minor league deal. Ohman receives an invitation to spring training, with the chance to win a spot in the bullpen as a situational lefty. That should put a little more heat on Alberto Castillo, who appeared in 48 games with the Orioles over the past two...

Washburn & Wang

Washburn & Wang
Separate reports on FoxSports.com linking the Orioles to Jarrod Washburn and Chien-Ming Wang have got a few readers stirred up here, which is understandable to a degree. I didn't sense that a lot of fans were brushing the snow off their cars and racing out to purchase Ohman and Startup jerseys - though there's nothing wrong with updating your Wills. See what I did there? Anyway, I've been asked about Washburn and Wang quite a bit over the last few days, mostly because they remain on the...

Catching up with Devo

Catching up with Devo
Did it really snow overnight? I'm afraid to look out the window. Actually, I've shoveled the sidewalk and dug out my car three times since the first flakes fell yesterday afternoon. Just trying to keep up with it. Apparently, more snow is in the forecast for Sunday and Monday. I have this strange feeling that I'll be reporting to the Sarasota complex after pitchers and catchers unpack their bags and take their physicals. Maybe I can make the first exhibition game. Will Ohman should keep...

My turn to vent

My turn to vent
Looks like I'm back to babysitting a few fans who think it's cute or entertaining to post the same criticisms and complaints multiple times a day, hoping that I'll react and then becoming upset and confrontational when I do. You figure it out. I've given up. Make your same, tired point and find another topic. Repetition won't be tolerated around here when the sole purpose is to hijack this blog and ruin it for everyone else. Sorry if that seems unfair or heavy-handed. I shouldn't wake...

Sad news regarding Phil Itzoe (updated)

Sad news regarding Phil Itzoe (updated)
Longtime Orioles traveling secretary Phil Itzoe passed away earlier today after a long illness. He was 72. Itzoe spent 45 seasons with the Orioles, including 41 coordinating the team's travel plans, the longest tenure of any traveling secretary in any of the four major sports. During his final season in 2008, Itzoe received the Herb Armstrong Award and a spot in the Orioles' Hall of Fame for non-uniformed personnel who made a significant contribution to the organization. Itzoe was born...

Rumor East

Rumor East
With pitchers and catchers reporting in six days, perhaps it's time to post our favorite Orioles rumors from the off-season. It's my way of getting nostalgic for the hot stove season. You could choose anything related to Matt Holliday. There must have been a dozen of them. My personal favorite is how the Orioles were arranging a meeting in Texas with the free-agent outfielder, president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail and majority owner Peter Angelos. I never did get the name of the...