Orioles interested in Matt Capps after all
"The Orioles have expressed interest in free-agent closer Matt Capps, who was non-tendered by the Pirates over the weekend. Agent Paul Kinzer expects to talk to president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail later (Tuesday) or today." -duck
Roch throws names against a MASN wall
"Buck Martinez's departure from MASN has left an empty seat in the broadcast booth for about half the games on the Orioles' 2010 schedule, and the network could choose to go in a few directions." I really just included this link so the millions, uh, thousands, OK, hundreds of CC readers will go and beg for John Lowenstein to come back. Because that would be awesome. -duck
Zrebiec: Koji and friend?
"The Orioles met with the agents of Japanese pitcher Hisanori Takahashi at last week’s winter meetings, but it’s too early to tell how serious their interest is." Takahasi is good friends with Koji Uehara. And he's left-handed. -duck
Stockstill takes stock of Chapman
"John Stockstill, the Orioles' director of international scouting, is flying back flew to Baltimore tonight last night after watching Aroldis Chapman's bullpen session earlier today Tuesday in Houston and also meeting with the Cuban left-hander's representatives." Stockstill estimated that Chapman threw 75 pitches, with representatives for 20-25 clubs in attendance. -duck
White Sox get Pierre from Dodgers
"The Chicago White Sox have acquired outfielder Juan Pierre and cash from the Los Angeles Dodgers for two players to be named." And the earth shook at the importance of such a move... -duck
Selig's new committee has Maryland flavor -- baltimoresun.com
"Baseball commissioner Bud Selig on Tuesday announced the establishment of a new committee to examine on-field issues such as video replay reviews and pace of game. The group will consist of several well-respected baseball men, including Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, Orioles Hall of Fame outfielder Frank Robinson and native Marylanders, Mark Shapiro, the Cleveland Indians' general manager, and Atlanta Braves president John Schuerholz." -duck
Chapman's former agent sues his new reps
"Even before he has a contract to play in the major leagues, Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman is in the middle of a lawsuit." So, he's being introduced to American culture rather quickly, I see. -duck
New targets flying low on O's radar, for now -
"President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said his front office has contacted the representatives of several players who were not tendered contracts by their previous clubs at Saturday's deadline. That group includes corner infielders Garrett Atkins, Ryan Garko and Mike Jacobs and closers Matt Capps and Mike MacDougal." None of those names exactly send my heart aflutter. -duck
Japanese Female Phenom Knuckleball Pitcher Eri Yoshida Joins Arizona Winter League - OurSports Central - Independent and Minor League Sports News
Yoshida, 17, made headlines and impressed the baseball world last summer when she became the first female to play professionally in Japan. Equipped with a sidearm knuckleball that is considered almost unhittable when she is on, she debuted for the Kobe Cruise 9 of the Kansai League in Japan on opening day as she walked one and struck out one in front of 12,000 fans. She began playing baseball in the 2nd grade and credits Tim Wakefield as the inspiration for her 50 mph knuckleball delivered from her 5 foot 1 inch, 114 lb frame. -zk
Heralded Chapman works out for MLB scouts | orioles.com: News
[Chapman] threw a bullpen session in the morning for about 50 Major League scouts, impressing them with his size and velocity....."The kid's got a great arm," Houston Astros general manager Ed Wade said of the 6-foot-4 Chapman. "He's a physical specimen. He's left-handed. He throws hard. Obviously, anybody would be interested in an arm like this. He's got some great stuff. The early feedback from our guys, and everybody else, is he's a tremendous talent."...."He's a hard thrower from the left side," said David Lakey, national cross checker for the New York Mets. "I think they said [he hit 96 mph]. That kind of arm is hard to find from the left side." -zk
AND IN OTHER NEWS
Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax To Tour Together | Billboard.com
"Heavy metal's Big Four -- Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax -- will ride together in 2010. In Europe, at least." So, I gotta get a passport, mortgage the house, buy plane tickets, and find a ticket scalper. At least I have a few months. -duck
Thy leaves are green in summer's prime,
Thy leaves are green at Christmas time.
O Open Thread, O Open Thread,
Thy leaves are green forever.