Hello, friends.
There are now 107 days remaining until Orioles Opening Day 2016. I can't think of anything particular that the number 107 means. It's just a waypoint along the way.
If you missed it late last night, the Orioles look to be getting themselves a Korean free agent, Hyun-soo Kim. Here is a little more about him. Got to take all the news we can get at this point of the offseason. Of course, Kim does still have to take the dreaded Orioles physical, but let's hope that doesn't bring about any problems.
Will today bring any kind of exciting news? I guess there's always a possibility of another Chris Davis rumor. They can strike at any time. You never know when another team might finally jump into the bidding process, or when agent Scott Boras will decide there's not another team showing up in the market. But I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.
Despite there not being a whole lot of news, there are still a lot of links to rally under the traditional banner of our people.
Around the blogO'sphere
Orioles, Darren O'Day event underscores club's few big offseason signings - Baltimore Sun
The kind of article that it's surprising an Orioles beat writer would write - but then again, the writer, Dan Connolly, has taken a buyout and will soon be leaving The Baltimore Sun, so, you know. There really haven't been big offseason signings.
The Orioles’ Secret Weapon | FanGraphs Baseball
This article is by Jeff Sullivan, which means you should read it automatically. It happens to be about Mychal Givens - even better. Sullivan is a fan.
KATOH Projects: Baltimore Orioles Prospects | FanGraphs Baseball
Fangraphs is in love with a new projection system called KATOH. It sounds kind of worthless to me, but if you are curious what it has to say about some Orioles prospects, you should definitely give it a look.
School of Roch: Duquette on Davis, extensions and pitching
Not much news about Davis - or much news at all, unless you count an acknowledgement of interest in extending Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop.
Steve Melewski: Prospect profile: Now on 40-man, Andrew Triggs could help O's 'pen next year
I've got to hand this to Steve Melewski, he's been extolling the performance of Andrew Triggs pretty much all season, and now he's taking a little victory lap with Triggs on the 40-man.
Orioles' Bridwell Finds A 40-Man Spot - BaseballAmerica.com
Speaking of guys who were added to the 40-man this offseason, here's Baseball America on Parker Bridwell.
And one that doesn't involve the Orioles directly, but I found it interesting...
Put our money where your mouth is, David Glass - Royals Review
Turns out that even right after your team wins the World Series, you can still complain. In this case, Royals fans are unhappy that the Royals owner does not seem to be plowing any of the World Series spoils into next year's payroll. The World Series losers, the Mets, are pulling the same move. Peter Angelos is better than people think.
Birthdays and anniversaries
There are three former Orioles with birthdays today. "Disco" Stu Pomeranz (three games in 2012), Alex Cintron (part of the five-headed shortstop monster that made even Cesar Izturis look good), and the late Jerry Adair (1958-66). It was also the birthday of Cal Ripken Sr.
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Along with those former Orioles, you share this day with the following birthday buddies: English novelist/poet Ford Madox Ford (1873), programming language APL developer Kenneth Iverson (1920), Penthouse founder Bob Guccione (1930), reigning Pope Francis (1936), Ghostbusters actor Ernie Hudson (1945), sportscaster Michele Tafoya (1964), Charm City Cakes master Duff Goldman (1974), and boxer Manny Pacquiao (1978).
On this day in history...
In 1538, Henry VIII of England got himself excommunicated by Pope Paul III.
In 1777, France formally recognized the nascent United States of America.
In 1903, the Wright brothers took to the air for the first time in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
In 1987, Final Fantasy - the very first one - was released on the Famicom in Japan. 28 years later, there are now 14 "main" numbered games released in the series, with #15 coming next year.
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And that's the way it is in Birdland on December 17 - at least, unless something happens later. Have a safe Thursday.