Thursday Bird Droppings

Orioles offering Balfour a two-year deal | School of Roch
Do not want.

With Options Dwindling, Orioles Need To Make A Move | Press Box Online
Paul Folkemer is mad as hell and he's not going to take it anymore! Actually, he'll totally take it because what else is he going to do, other than complain to me?

The Orioles Are Better Off Without Jim Johnson | Baltimore Sports Report
What this article is actually saying is the Oriole would be better without a designated closer. Whether you agree with that or not, it's never going to happen.

Should the O's Be Concerned About Shin-Soo Choo's Splits? | Baltimore Sports and Life
Only when they're pitching against him, I assume.

Q&A with pitching prospect Tim Berry | Orioles Uncensored
Everything you always wanted to know about Tim Berry. Have you ever actually wanted to know about Tim Berry?

Should Orioles Pull Trigger on Johan Santana? | Orioles Nation
Jeff Kryglik wonders whether the Orioles should give a chance to the oft-injured Johan Santana.

Ryan Webb wins over O’s fans with great Twitter Q&A | Eutaw Street Report
Ryan Webb engaged the fans on Twitter last night and seems like a pretty cool guy. His answers included a quote from Kenny Powers and an assurance that he will be our new 5th favorite player.

Arrivals and Departures: 40 Man Update (12/12/2013) | Camden Depot
An update of the 40-man roster and their options remaining, and a look at possible Rule 5 picks.

Agents fight in Winter Meetings parking lot | Baseball Nation
The most exciting thing to happen yet at the winter meetings.

MLB instituting ban on home-plate collisions | SBNation.com
This makes me happy.

Happy birthday to former Oriole Garrett Atkins! He's the only former Oriole celebrating today.

On this day in 2007 the Orioles traded Miguel Tejada to the Houston Astros for Luke Scott, Troy Patton, Dennis Sarfate, Mike Costanzo, and Matt Albers. Only Troy Patton remains in the O's organization.