Monday Bird Droppings

It's seems nuts to even consider next season while still in the calendar year of 2014, but, heck...I'm an optimist by nature. Today is one of the many milestones on the way to next season: the start of General Manager Meetings in Phoenix, AZ. GM Meetings are something of an aperitivo  for the slightly more exciting (if you're a Hot Stove geek) Winter Meetings. Will the O's make a move? Funny you should ask...

School of Roch: Duquette set for start of GM meetings
Roch previews the GM Meetings. Regarding Nelson Cruz...it's funny to me that he's let the qualifying offer dangle out there.

What are Duquette's five most significant trades? | Comcast SportsNet Baltimore A Duquette retrospective...Masters of Mayhem?

Camden Depot: Should the Orioles Trade Matt Wieters? Lots of ins, lots of outs...

Report sheds light on Jose Abreu's defection from Cuba | Big League Stew - Yahoo Sports
Apparently, Henry Urrutia helped the 2014 Rookie of the Year defect. Wonder if he put in a good word for the Birds?

Baseball Prospectus | Internet Baseball Awards: The 2014 Internet Baseball Award Winners Some Buck love.

Steve Melewski: A look at Zach Davies' strong performance in the Arizona Fall League
Includes quotes from Norfolk pitching coach Mike Griffin, who's on the Desert Dogs coaching staff this fall.

On this day in 2004, Buck Showalter won his second Manager of the Year award.