Thursday Bird Droppings

Countdown check! We've got 66 days until Opening Day, 19 days until pitchers and catchers report, 12 days until my birthday, and 10 days until the Ravens are in the Super Bowl.

As for the links, it's a Kubel-fest:

Orioles rumors: Baltimore pursuing Diamondbacks' Jason Kubel - MLB Daily Dish
I think "pursuing" might be a touch strong. Also, this continues to annoy me.

School of Roch: The Kubel question
Roch offers up this option if the Orioles trade for Jason Kuble: "Kubel becomes the primary designated hitter, which would greatly impact Wilson Betemit, who isn't nearly as effective from the right side." He doesn't mention that Kubel is just as crappy against lefties and not any better against righties.

Jason Kubel trade talk continues, but Orioles aren't convinced deal would make team dramatically better - baltimoresun.com
No crap! Why are we still talking about this?

Orioles spring training tickets go on sale at 10:00 a.m. this Saturday, January 26 | orioles.com: News
If you live near Sarasota or will be traveling down there for Spring Training, get your tickets this weekend!

Deciding Three AL Arbitration Cases-Off the Radar - Fantasy CPR
A look at the arbitration cases of Darren O'Day and Jason Hammel (and Mike Aviles, if you just love Mike Aviles and wat to read about him).

Camden Depot: Mark Hendrickson, sidearm lefty specialist? Maybe.
Does anyone besides me wonder if Buck Showalter was just messing with Mark Hendrickson about being a side armer, and now he feels bad?

Tell It To Your Analyst: The Raging Genius Of Earl Weaver
Tom Scocca talks Earl Weaver. I enjoyed it.

Happy birthday to former Orioles relief pitcher, Tim Stoddard.