First thing! Don't forget to vote for us in the Mobbies! Now that Orioles Hangout, er, Tony's Take has been added, we don't have a shot in hell to win, but put up a good effort anyway, all right? I figure if we finish in second place behind them, we still won the best blog competition since Orioles Hangout isn't a blog. Vote every day! -Stacey
And don't forget to vote for Testudo Times as best Terps blog and Baltimore Beatdown as best Ravens blog to help our local SBN brethren. -duck
Question of the Day: As was mentioned in yesterday's Bird Droppings (and slightly down below, too), our favorite surly Canadian had his option declined by the Mariner's yesterday, and is once again a free agent, along with a couple other rehab project starting pitchers (Brandon Webb, Justin Duchscherer). Last year the Orioles were said to be interested in one of these project pitchers but ultimately did not acquire any of them - and that was probably a good move as it would have been money wasted. But are you interested in a rehab pitcher project this offseason? -Andrew
At first, plenty of slugging options available | MLB.com: News
And we were worried about a decent 1B FA. Accroding to MLB.com, there's plenty to choose from!
Mariners decline 2011 option on Bedard - Baseball Wires - MiamiHerald.com
So, Erik Bedard is available. I'm just sayin'.
The Royle Rundown: Baseball is OVER... questions in the AL East
Jen Royle lists a lot of questions relating to the AL East. A plethora. An inordinate amount. There's a bunch, I'm telling you.
School of Roch: Berken is workin' on his shoulder
Jason Berken is rehabbing his shoulder. Scintillating details to follow.
Steve Melewski: Under the radar All-Star: Another solid season for Welty
Ronnie Welty was a 22-year-old All Star in the Carolina League. So, prospect or organizational filler?
O's looking to make home improvements | orioles.com: News
An overview of the goals and possible solutions to the Orioles' plans for the winter..
Orioles Insider: A free-agency primer
Most, if not all, of the questions you may have about how free agency works this winter are answered.
Orioles Insider: Wayne Kirby agrees to be Orioles' first base/outfield coach
No word on where John "T-Bone" Shelby will land.
Contract Crowdsourcing Results: Cliff Lee | FanGraphs Baseball
The readers of FanGraphs are either cheapskates or expecting owners to hold onto their dollars a bit tighter this winter as their expectations for the contract Cliff Lee will eventually sign are considerably lower than expected.
Reports say Brewers have hired Roenicke
The Brewers have hired Ron Roenicke, brother of former Oriole Gary, to be their new manager.
Scottsdale 9, Surprise 3 | MLB.com: Events
Two Orioles' prospects had a good day, as Ryan Adams went 2-for-4 with 1 run scored and 1 walk and 1 RBI and catcher Caleb Joseph went 3-for-3 win 1 run scored, a walk, a double and 3 RBI.
I guess I have a talent for languages, sir. I hear a language once I pick it right up. I don't even know how. They found out about it in the Open Thread.