Sunday Bird Droppings

Might the O's lose Steve Johnson this winter? - MASNsports.com
"This was Steve's fifth year of professional baseball, as he signed out of high school at 17. He must be protected on the Major League roster or be subject to the Rule 5 Draft in December. Here is hoping he did enough to be promoted to the 40 man roster and go to camp with the Major League Club next spring. " Amongst all the happy talk from Daddy Dave was this nugget: Steve Jonson must make the 40-man this winter or he could be a Rule V draftee. Hadn't seen that anywhere else. So, do the O's protect hinm or not? -duck

Anyone reside at 2170 Eutaw St? - MASNsports.com
"Break out those change of address cards. You're going to need them. The Orioles' 2110 promotion had to be tweaked when Adam Jones sprained his ankle and went on the disabled list. Felix Pie replaced him in the lineup, turning the section of seats in right-center field into 2118." And now that's done, as Jeff Fiorentino will most likely man center field. Oh, goody. -duck

Wedge gives Indians pep talk - baltimoresun.com
"Regardless of how many times you get your butt handed to you, you still have to go out there and play with confidence," he said. "You have to. You can never, ever lose that. You always have to walk strong with your chest out and be strong about what you're able to do." No, it's not Dave Trembley, but Cleveland's Eric Wedge. Still sound advice, though. -duck

Orioles limp to season-worst eighth straight loss -- baltimoresun.com
"With one more defeat, the Orioles will clinch their worst season since they went 67-95 in 2002. And they might have to play the rest of the way without center fielder Felix Pie, who had emerged as one of the bright spots in a season that can't end soon enough." So another Orioles starter has his season end early. Man, Oct. 4 can't get here fast enough. This was posted Saturday afternoon, so it may be a moot point by now. -duck

Mets could be interested in Cuban defector
"Count the Mets among the handful of teams that are exploring a deal for Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman, the hard-throwing lefthander who was declared a free agent Friday by Major League Baseball." I'm not seeing the Orioles listed as a team with interest. -duck

Right now, poised at the edge of the galaxy, Emperor Zurg has been secretly building a weapon with the destructive capacity to annihilate an entire planet! I alone have information that reveals this weapon's only weakness. And you, my friend, are responsible for delaying my rendezvous with Open Thread!