More photos » by Gail Burton - AP

Your Off-Season O of the Day: Oscar Salazar. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

Browse more photos »

Knocking Their Sox Off - SI Vault (10/17/83)
Real Orioles don't pout. Real Orioles don't gloat. Real Orioles just win. -Stacey

"That's when they started baseball, so everybody was debuting."  - Matt Wieters on Baltimore having five rookie pitchers win their big league debuts in 2009, the most in a season since the 1888 Chicago White Stockings had six. Is that a personality I'm seeing, Mr. Wieters? -Stacey

Baseball Video Highlights & Clips | A look at the Arizona Fall League Championship Game - Video | MLB.com: Multimedia
Jonathan Mayo goes Around The Minors, talking about the Arizona Fall League Championship Game. Stephen Strasburg, despite a stiff neck, is expected to start for the Devil Dogs and go about five innings. It's video from MLB, so have headphones ready at work or school. -duck

Shocker! Brandon Erbe is glad to be on the 40-man roster!
"Even though he has a splint on his right pinky finger that ended his time in the Arizona Fall League early, Wednesday was a good day for pitcher Brandon Erbe. The Baltimorean and life-long O's fan from McDonogh High made the Orioles' 40-man roster for the first time." Well, being that this was the first year the O's had to protect him, I guess it would be the first time he'd be happy about being on the 40-man. -duck

Seattle Times -Baltimore possibly targeting Bedard as FA
"Also, Jeff Zrebiac of the Baltimore Sun, who is one of the best beat writers around, lists Erik Bedard as a free agent likely to be targeted by the Orioles. Wouldn't that be the final dagger, for the Orioles to get Adam Jones, an All-Star year from George Sherrill and then a trade package for him, Chris Tillman, et al -- and then potentially reap the benefits of a healthy Bedard. Ouch." Sorry, but this just makes me all happy inside. -duck

10 free agents O's may target
"Baseball's free-agent signing period begins Friday, and the Orioles have money to spend and holes to fill. Here are some free agents that they will consider." And guess who's first - our favorite French-Canadian left-handed pitcher. Yeah, this is the article the Seattle guy links to. -duck

O's will wait on Hendrickson negotiations
"While the Orioles remain interested in re-signing pitcher Mark Hendrickson, a deal will not get done during the team's exclusive negotiating window." Sure, just carry out the suspense even longer! Won't someone think of the children? -duck

O's positioned to be buyers in free agency
"With a down economy, multiple teams crying poor and little money invested in future payrolls, the Orioles are arguably in a better financial position this offseason than they have been in more than a decade." In a year with the worst FA class in a decade, too. Oh, goody. -duck

Santa is coming to Salisbury at Shorebirds' stadium
"The Delmarva Shorebirds would like to announce that Santa will be at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium on Saturday, December 5, 2009 from 10 AM-12 PM as part of the Cookies with Claus event." Great event, but that team needs a new PR writer. -duck

More photos » by Charles Rex Arbogast - AP

Your Off-Season O of the Day: Jason Berken (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Browse more photos »

In Baseball, Money Loads the Bases - WSJ.com

   One reader offers his reasons for frustration with baseball's economic model. -duck

Report: Jauss to be Mets' bench coach | MLB.com: News

   Dave Jauss, a former bench coach for the Orioles and Dodgers, will be hired to fill the same position by the Mets, FoxSports.com, citing Major League sources, reported on Tuesday. -duck

The Schmuck Stops Here: Orioles: Making sense of today's roster moves

   That leaves a few recognizable players exposed to the Rule 5 Draft -- including shortstop Blake Davis and recently acquired pitcher Steve Johnson -- and leaves room to question why certain journeyman-type players are still on the 40-man. The Orioles kept pitcher Chris Waters, for instance, even though he didn't seem to be on the radar when the Orioles needed help at several points last season. -duck

Nationals name ex-Orioles manager D. Johnson advisor 

   Davey Johnson, the Orioles' former All-Star second baseman who was the last manager to lead the club to a winning season, has taken a job with the Washington Nationals. Johnson, 66, will be a senior advisor to general manager Mike Rizzo. -duck

Arizona Fall League recap -- Nov. 18

   Pretty good night for the O's in the AFL. -Stacey

Remembering Corey Patterson’s Bright Spot 

   Corey Patterson used to be looked on fondly, doncha know. -Stacey

Mike Scioscia and Jim Tracy Are Managers of the Year - NYTimes.com

   This year’s managers of the year were runaway winners: Jim Tracy of the Colorado Rockies and Mike Scioscia of the Los Angeles Angels. -Stacey

Frankly, my dear, I don't give an Open Thread.

More photos » by Alex Brandon - AP

Your Offseason O of the Day: Koji Uehara. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Browse more photos »

First off, I got the following in an email from MLB Network....

A new season of Baseball’s Seasons begins this week on MLB Network with a focus on the most memorable moments of the 1979 Major League Baseball season. The documentary-style series created by Major League Baseball Productions focuses on the Pittsburgh Pirates’ championship season led by Dave Parker and 1979 National League MVP Willie Stargell; the story of the Baltimore Orioles, led by Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver and 1979 All-Star Ken Singleton; and the California Angels who, with veterans like Rod Carew & 1979 American League MVP Don Baylor, reached the playoffs for the first time in the franchise’s history. Also highlighted in the episode is how the New York Yankees were impacted by the death of their star catcher Thurman Munson in the quest for their fourth-straight American League pennant. As the series examines each year in the context of the time’s culture and society, the 1979 episode highlights the country’s gas crisis. The episode will air on Wednesday, November 18 at 8:00 p.m. ET and re-air at 11:00 p.m. ET.

There was a clip from the episode in the email, and it had an awesome shot of Dave Parker making a catch in right-center, with a bunch of 70s cars visible over the outfield wall. This baby airs tonight. I'll be setting my TiVo. (-zk)

It's pretty quiet on the interwebz. We have a coupla light news items....

O's show interest in Smoltz
I hope not. I don't want that guy anywhere near the Orioles. But I'm sure Smoltz would just as soon stay out of the AL East anyway. -Stacey

The Markakis family gives back
Nick and Christina Markakis will spend this weekend distributing turkeys with the Maryland Food Bank. I love that Nick lives here year round -Stacey

Jordan sizes up some O's draft picks
He discusses Justin Dalles, Aaron Wirsch, Devin Harris, Ryan Berry, and Jake Cowan. -Stacey

BaseballAmerica.com: Blog: Baseball America Prospects Blog " Blog Archive " Minor League Free Agents
Major League Baseball granted free agency on Nov. 9 to 536 minor league players, i.e. those not included on 40-man rosters. We have them all here, listed by organization. (For those of you who are REALLY into tracking minor leaguers....) -zk

May I pass along my congratulations for your great interdimensional breakthrough. I am sure, in the miserable annals of the Open Thread, you will be duly enshrined.

More photos » by John Froschauer - AP

Your Offseason O of the Day: Aubrey Huff. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Browse more photos »

Orioles FanFest in Sarasota
Heath from Dempsey's Army attended the Sarasota FanFest and gave a great account. Sounds like the Birds are going to have a lovely new home. -Stacey

Reds Re-Sign Ramon Hernandez
I guess they like him better than the O's did. Plus they don't have Matt Wieters. -Stacey

BaseballAmerica.com: Bell, Snyder Upgrade On Defense
Great article by Ben Badler on the Bell and Snyder and their improving defense. -Stacey

Winter Leagues: Arizona Fall League: Statistics | MLB.com: Events
Speaking of Bell and Snyder, they continue to rake in the AFL. Sure, it's just the AFL, but it's nice to see both guys among the league leaders in hitting. It's better than both of them sucking in the AFL, right? -zk

If I Were a Rich Man: On the Baltimore Orioles | FanGraphs Baseball
Carson Cistulli at FanGraphs points out that the Orioles are starting the offseason with only $40M committed to payroll, and they are in a position to spend, spend, spend. He'd start by throwing a butt-ton of dinero at Nick Johnson.-zk

PressBox: Trembley Warns Pitchers: 'Get Tough'
As soon as he found out he would return in 2010, Trembley began the process of speaking to core players, guys like Markakis, Jones and second baseman Brian Roberts, to set the stage for what he hopes will occur next season....The skipper pointedly called out his starting pitchers, telling them he expected them to be physically ready to pitch when spring training begins in February in Sarasota, Fla. He also put on-the-bubble guys like right-handers Matt Albers (whose conditioning has been called into question) and Dennis Sarfate (recovering from injuries) on notice that they have to pitch better. -zk

SimonOnSports: Blogging the Offseason: Baltimore Orioles
Jeff from ROR answers 10 off-season Qs about the Os.-zk

MASNsports.com
Injury updates on Reimold, 3E1N, and Dr. Jones. -zk

Leave the gun. Take the Open Thread.

More photos » by Tom Olmscheid - AP

Your Offseason O of the Day: Chris Tillman (AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid)

Browse more photos »

Orioles get big surprise: a very warm welcome | HeraldTribune.com 
"That was cool,'' Baltimore Gold Glove winner Adam Jones said, "but it's too much for me. I'm laid back and low key.'' Jones, then, should love his new spring home, particularly if its people, both residents and visitors alike, engage in the level of bird watching witnessed Saturday. A meet and greet at The Ed the Orioles hoped would attract 1,000. An estimated 2,500 showed up. Looking around, Jones knew he wasn't in Lauderdale any more. "Nobody cares about baseball over there,'' the Baltimore centerfielder said. "I think this is more people than came to all of our games.'' - The FanFest was reported yesterday, but here's a refreshing take on it. Nice to see fans clamoring to see the O's -zk

Critics of baseball in Sarasota County suing over e-mails | HeraldTribune.com 
And yet some folks still reeeeeeaaaaaally don't want the Orioles in Sarasota. -zk

Free-agent watch: Good year to go bargain-hunting - Chris Bahr, Sporting News - MLB - Sporting News
Free agency officially starts Friday. Here's TSN's take on the pickings. -zk

Keys Donate $375,000 To Local Causes - OurSports Central - Independent and Minor League Sports News
rederick, MD - The Frederick Keys, Class-A Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, are proud to announce that in partnership with its marketing colleagues and fans, have donated $375,000 to local charities, causes and schools in 2009. -zk

Odds look good for O's return to Cuba -- baltimoresun.com
Schmuck waxes nostalgic about the last time and likes Angelos' chances of making another Cuba trip happen. -zk

MASN Online: One Liners from Lunch with Dave Trembley
Dave has his share of witticisms, including my fave: "The toughest three outs to get in Yankee Stadium are the six you have to get." -zk

You see, there's a certain amount of life wisdom I give these boys. I can expand their minds. Sometimes when I've got a ballplayer alone, I'll just read Emily Dickinson or Walt Whitman to him, and the guys are so sweet, they always stay and listen. 'Course, a guy'll listen to anything if he thinks it's Open Thread.

More photos » by Rob Carr - AP

Your Off-Season O of the Day: Chad Moeller (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

Browse more photos »

Sarasota welcomes the Orioles 
About 2,500 Sarasota residents welcomed the Orioles to town during the team's FanFest activities yesterday. -duck

Premilinary and incomplete Spring Training dates available
One of Roch's readers sent him the link 4sarasota.com and it appears many, but not all, of the home Spring Training dates are starting to be filled. -duck

Update on injured O's minor league pitchers
Steve Melewski talks with David Stockstill about Orioles' minor leaguers rehabbing and recovering from injuries during 2009. -duck

2009 Tides pitchers in review
Steve Melewski talks with Gary Allenson, manager of the Norfolk Tides, about the starters he had this year that weren't among those called up to Baltimore. -duck

The Schmuck Stops Here: Orioles: Is Uggla the answer?
Peter Schmuck attempts to solve the age-old debate "Is it OK if a piece of plywood would play better defense that your third baseman?" -duck

AFL Orioles - Week 5
Jay LeBlanc of The Washington Times reviews the week in Arizona. -duck

Umpire John Hirschbeck forgives Robbie Alomar, but will Hall of Fame voters forget?
"Longtime umpire John Hirschbeck would like to put to rest any lingering controversy about Robbie Alomar on the Baseball Writers Hall of Fame ballot. Despite the infamous 1996 spitting incident the ump says Alomar is absolutely a Hall of Fame player." -duck

Nick Markakis deserved a Gold Glove: Carroll County Times
"Congratulations, Adam Jones. You just accomplished something rare by being named one of the three best defensive outfielders in the American League even though you’re not even the best on your own team." Gee, Josh Land of the CC Times, tell us what you really think. -duck

You're a French aristocrat, she's a simple girl of the people, and she won't even give you a Open Thread. Hah! 

by Rob Carr - AP

Your Off-Season O of the Day: Harold Baines. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

View full size photo »

Sherrill Trade Looks Even Better for O's
Analysis on Josh Bell, Steve Johnson, and plenty of good vibes about the O's future. -Stacey

U.S. and Cuba look to bridge gap through baseball
Peter Angelos tells the Associated Press that he hopes to take the team to Cuba next year for an exhibition. Because moving to a new Spring Training home isn't enough of a distraction from routine. -duck

Uggla doesn't want to change positions
While everyone seems to be buying Dan Uggla plane tickets to Baltimore and a third baseman's glove, Uggla's agent says his client will resist any move away from second base. -duck

GM Dombrowski says Tigers won't pursue Aubrey Huff
Shocker. -Stacey

Ken Griffey, Jr. Has Spent Four Decades With Mariners (Sort Of) - SB Nation
Now that The Kid has resigned with the Mariners, he will have played with the team in four different decades. He turns 40 in a few days. Seems a long time since he played in the M's outfield with his dad back in the late 1980s. -duck

The worst football game ever? - Joe Posnanski
"There are, officially, six rivalries in the NFL." And he doesn't list Ravens-Steelers as one of them. Yet another reasons why I think Pos is more hack than talent. What do you guys see in his writing that I'm missing? -duck

Excuse me, duck, Joe Posnanski is NOT a hack, and saying so is pretty much a bannable offense. First of all, he says in the article that he's not including modern rivalries. Considering the Ravens have existed since 1996, that seem to fit the bill. Second of all, what I see in his writing is his brilliance. For examples, see:  here, here, and here. And those are just a few of many. -Stacey

by Lynne Sladky - AP

Your Off-Season O of the Day: Brian Roberts (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

View full size photo »

A Minor Review of ‘09: Baltimore Orioles
FanGraphs gives their opinion on Matt Wieters, Brandon Waring, Billy Rowell, Caleb Joseph, and Brandon Erbe. -Stacey

SAL renews president's contract.
The South Atlantic League Board of Owners and Directors, during their 2009 Fall Meetings in Lexington, Kentucky, voted unanimously to extend the contract of President Eric Krupa for 2 years, through October 2012. Krupa was hired by the league in 2007 to succeed John Henry Moss, the league's founder and leader for 50 years. -duck

Catching up with Gary Cates, ex-Shorebird
Gary Cates holds the record for the most games played with the Shorebirds. You gotta like a guy who lists his third favorite memory of playing for Delmarva as "Squirming around at second base because Willie Harris put Icy Hot in my socks as a prank." -duck

Ripken to be keynote speaker at Red Cross Evening of Stars
Cal gets his charity on. -Stacey

Right Off Russell » Matt Wieters Facts Contest
Right Off Russell is having a contest and the winner gets their very own Matt Wieters Facts t-shirt. Just submit your own MWF and if it's selected as the best, you win! -Stacey

Yankees to inquire about Roy Halladay - SI.com
It is not even a slight exaggeration when I say that if Roy Halladay becomes a Yankee I will vomit. -Stacey

2009 Silver Slugger teams announced
Congrats to Nats 3B Ryan Zimmerman on his first silver slugger. See the link for the full list. -Stacey

Report: John Wetteland Taken to Hospital With 'Mental Issue'
Mariners bullpen coach and former Yankees closer John Wetteland was described in a phone call to the police as "possibly suicidal." No news on his current condition. -Stacey

Riggleman gets Nationals managing job for 2010
Jim Riggleman beat out Bobby Valentine for the Nats managing job. Maybe this is just the thing the team needs to turn itself around. -Stacey

Celizic: MLB needs Cuban to breathe new life into game
That's what baseball needs: Mark Cuban! -duck

Hudson agrees on $28M, 3-year deal with Braves  | ajc.com
The Braves have officially signed Tim Hudson. Good for them. -Stacey