School of Roch: Sources: Hale to be named Blue Jays bench coach

"The Toronto Blue Jays will hire DeMarlo Hale as their bench coach, according to two industry sources. One source said Hale could receive a three-year contract."

Anthony Castrovince: Smart moves, not big money, vital in winter | MLB.com: News

"The free-agent market makes for good discussion this time of year. But what's more interesting is watching general managers attempt to work their magic, molding a contender out of raw clay, sometimes in subtle ways." And he uses the O's signing of Wei-Yin Chen and the trade for Jason Hammel as examples of that patient approach working.

Black Friday musings | Articles | Baltimore Orioles

"Jonny Gomes’ two-year deal will probably be a solid starting point for the Orioles [with Nate McLouth], but it will also depend on how much faith Dan Duquette will put in the, latest, return of Nolan Reimold." Do we really start at 2 years, $10MM with McLouth? Seems a bit pricy for a guy who didn't hit .275 last year, but was a 0.8 WAR player. Maybe it's not. Discuss.

Steve Melewski: A look at the stand-pat theory

"But if the Orioles did return a club next season that looked a lot like the 2012 Orioles, what would be wrong with that?" Actually, quite a bit, Steve. Quite a bit would be wrong with that.

Catching up with Orioles playing winter ball - baltimoresun.com

"New Orioles second baseman Alexi Casilla has been playing in the Dominican for the Gigantes del Cibao and is hitting .290/.329/.449 in 16 games there." Ryan Flaherty, Rhyne Hughes, and Buck Britton are among others playing Winter League ball in places warmer than you are.