Sunday Bird Droppings

Baltimore Orioles executive VP Dan Duquette says club has offered contract extension to Chris Davis - baltimoresun.com
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said Saturday at FanFest that the club offered first baseman Chris Davis a long-term contract extension this winter, but that was news to Chris Davis.

Baltimore Orioles executive hopes to add veteran pitcher - ESPN
"We're going to see what we can do to add a veteran pitcher between now and when spring training starts. We think we have the core of a good staff but if we could add a veteran starter, that would stabilize the staff and help us get off to a good start." That's Dan Duqette, folks. Not very committal, is he?

J.J. Hardy contract: Orioles hoping to work out extension with shortstop - philly.com
J.J. Hardy wants to stay.

Orioles expect payroll to exceed $100 million, per report - philly.com
Ken Rosenthal thinks the O's will end up north of $100 million. Considering they're still barely at $83M once Matt Wieters' arbitration case is settled, I'd like to know what $17+ million in acquisitions Dan Duquette is going to make.

Duquette avoids some key questions | The Daily Times | delmarvanow.com
Dan Duquette told jokes, listened to the crowd and talked about the promising future, but did not dare to leak names about who the Orioles are interested in signing.

Matt Wieters: Orioles did not actively shop Matt Wieters - Rotoworld.com
Matt Wieters tells Roch Kubatko he wasn't actively shopped to be traded this winter.

School of Roch: Tillman on his mindset, opening day, workouts, Wallace and Britton
"I've got to go in camp with the same thought process. We're all out there competing and they're going to take the best 25 guys north." Chris Tillman isn't coasting on the success of last year.

Orioles' Manny Machado cleared for some activities, but still uncertain on return - baltimoresun.com
"Once I’m cleared to play, then lets see how I feel when I am sliding, sliding into second base, taking out the second baseman. How did I feel the next day? Am I going to be able to wake up [and] is it going to be hurting? All that comes into play," he said. "Once I start playing I can give you a better -- more or less -- of an idea when I’ll be able to start [the season]." This is a wise young man. Losing 10 games at the beginning of the season to make sure all is well is a better idea than rushing back to make Opening Day.

Orioles' Nolan Reimold ready for what might be his last shot - Baltimore Sun
"I’ll be living and dying with every pitch, every at-bat,’’ he said during the team's FanFest at Baltimore Convention Center. "It’s do or die." Geez, Nolan, I don't think they plan on taking you out back behind the shed and putting you down if it doesn't work out this spring.

Happy Birthday to former Orioles Melvin Mora, noted Metallica aficionado Scott Erickson, Paul Kilgus, Pat Clements, and Don Buford.

On this day in Orioles history, "2005 - The trade that sent Sammy Sosa to the Baltimore Orioles from the Chicago Cubs is finalized after Commissioner Bud Selig approves the deal and the slugger passes his physical. Chicago receives second baseman Jerry Hairston, Jr. and two minor leaguers, then signs Jeromy Burnitz as a free agent to replace Sosa in right field."

I expect the best and I give the best. Here's the Open Thread. Here's the entertainment. Now have fun. That's an order!