Consider this your Open Thread for Sunday.
Zrebiec: A Ray of class
"[Chris] Ray’s fastball velocity started to come back as the 2009 season progressed and he said that he has put on eight pounds of muscle this offseason to get some strength back that he felt he lacked last year. He said his 2009 struggles have provided great motivation. The bet here is that he’ll return to form and be a pretty effective reliever for Texas." -duck
Big names added to free-agent pool | MLB.com: News
Oakland slugger Jack Cust, Yankees right-hander Chien-Ming Wang, Colorado third baseman Garret Atkins and Pittsburgh closer Matt Capps were among the prominent players not tendered contracts prior to Saturday's 11:59 p.m. ET deadline, swelling the free-agent ranks. Other veterans granted free agency by virtue of not receiving contract offers are Nationals closer Mike MacDougal, Reds outfielder Johnny Gomes and the Giants' Ryan Garko. -zk
Zrebiec: Winter Meetings leftovers
"(T)he Royals and Orioles never engaged in formal trade talks (for Felix Pie) in Indianapolis, unless you count a couple of quick lobby conversations among scouts and other team officials. So no, the Orioles didn’t ask for Royals first baseman Billy Butler or third baseman Alex Gordon. " -duck
O's agree to terms with Albers, Meredith -- baltimoresun.com
The Orioles have agreed to terms with relievers Matt Albers and Cla Meredith on 2010 contracts, according to team sources today. -duck
Garret Atkins non-tendered by Rockies
"The Orioles have some interest and didn't engage in serious trade talks with the Rockies because they anticipated that he would hit the open market." Just Andy being Andy, people. -duck
IN OTHER BASEBALL NEWS...
Jason Bay rejects Red Sox offer
"Boston Red Sox free agent left fielder Jason Bay has rejected the team’s latest offer, Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports via Twitter Saturday. Bay’s agent Joe Urbon said ”We have other offers on table that are of greater interest to Jason.” Ha. See how YOU like it, Boston. -duck
Feliz Navidad / Feliz Navidad / Feliz Navidad / Prospero Ano y Open Thread.