Saturday Bird Droppings

Zach Britton, Baltimore Orioles agree one-year contract to avoid arbitration
"Orioles closer Zach Britton has agreed to terms on a $6.75 million contract for 2016, avoiding arbitration. The agreement was reached Friday. Britton was asking for $7.9 million and Baltimore countered with a $5.6 million offer before a compromise was reached."

More on newly-acquired Orioles right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne - Baltimore Sun
"Not only could Odrisamer Despaigne compete for a rotation spot out of spring training, he could open the season in the rotation at Triple-A Norfolk and either return to the big league club if a rotation spot opens up or as a spot starter or a long-relief arm if the bullpen needs replenishment. He gives the Orioles a lot of options."

Steve Melewski: Still talking about starting pitching
"Are the Orioles stockpiling fifth starter candidates? And not just fifth starter candidates, but rotation options that can be optioned. If the Orioles cannot add a more established starting pitcher to their staff, could it be that they intend to have a revolving door of sorts with optionable pitchers in the fifth starter's role? Maybe take a look at several pitchers and/or go with the hot hand in that spot?" Steve counts eight possible options. Only need one to stick, right?

School of Roch: Mark Trumbo on Chris Davis' return: "Oh, it was huge"
"What thoughts ran through Mark Trumbo's mind when news broke of the trade? "Oh, it was huge," Trumbo said. "I was just totally pumped up at the possibility of the amount of damage that the team was already capable of doing, but having Chris back in that lineup ..."

Baltimore Orioles Outfielder Dariel Alvarez Swinging Hot Bat in Caribbean Series for Venezuela | Orioles 101 | Sports Media 101
"(Dariel Alvarez) has played in all four games for Venezuela in the Caribbean Series and leads the team with a .500 average (8-16), while also knocking three runs, scoring four runs, and even has a triple to boot. He also owns a .529 on base percentage, .625 slugging percentage and a ridiculous 1.154 OPS. He has also not struck out once in the series thus far, which is a positive sign."

Jake Arrieta agrees to one-year, $10.7-million deal with Cubs - LA Times
"Chicago Cubs ace Jake Arrieta has agreed to a $10.7 million, one-year contract, avoiding arbitration with the highest one-year deal for a pitcher with four years of major league service." Oh, Jake. Why couldn't you be awesome here?

Happy Birthday to you if it's yours, but you share it with no current or former Orioles, but you do share it with Babe Ruth. You also share it with famous people like 1611 Chongzhen Emperor, 16th and last Ming Emperor of China; 1833 J.E.B. Stuart, Confederate general and Civil War loser; 1911 Ronald Reagan, sports announcer, actor and 40th US President; 1917 Zsa Zsa Gabor, actress; 1931 Rip Torn, actor; 1940 Tom Brokaw, news anchor; 1945 Bob Marley, reggae musician and singer-songwriter; 1962 Axl Rose, vocalist, Guns N' Roses; and 1966 Rick Astley, singer and YouTube sensation.

On this day in Baltimore baseball history...

1895 - Babe Ruth is born in Baltimore, Maryland. Ruth, who is considered by many to be the greatest player of all time, will start his career as a successful pitcher before amassing 714 home runs with 2217 RBI and a lifetime batting average of .342 on his way to Hall of Fame election in 1936.

2006 - Daniel Cabrera allows only one run and two hits in five innings, pitching the Dominican Republic's Licey Tigers past Mexico's Mazatlan, 3 - 1, in the 2006 Caribbean Series.

2012 - The Orioles trade P Jeremy Guthrie, their workhorse over the past three seasons, to the Rockies in return for Ps Matt Lindstrom and Jason Hammel. In a related move, the O's designate P Clay Rapada for assignment.

On this day in world history...

1508 Maximilian I proclaimed Holy Roman Emperor,though 1st Emperor in centuries not to be crowned by the Pope

1778 France recognizes USA, signs Treaty of Alliance in Paris; 1st US treaty

1819 Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles founds freeport harbor Singapore

1952 Queen Elizabeth II succeeds King George VI to the British throne

1992 The Sámi people of the far northern Nordic countries have an official day celebrating their existence.

Consider this your discussion space for NCAA Mens' Basketball - Purdue at Maryland.