Closing with a flurry

Closing with a flurry
As we approach the Rule 5 draft, the Orioles have made two trades and re-signed their closer. So much for "doubtful," right Andy? Multiple reports confirm that the Orioles and Twins completed a deal after midnight that will send shortstop J.J. Hardy to Baltimore for minor league pitchers Jim Hoey and Brett Jacobson. The Orioles also would receive utility infielder Brendan Harris, which doesn't bode well for Robert Andino. I'd also put away my Cesar Izturis jersey unless you're into...
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As I pack up my laptop... (w/ Koji update)

As I pack up my laptop... (w/ Koji update)
The Orioles are still trying to work out a trade for Twins shortstop J.J. Hardy.There's also a feeling here that the Cardinals could move shortstop Brendan Ryan later tonight. In case you hadn't heard, the Orioles need a shortstop. The Padres no longer are in the running for Ryan after acquiring Jason Bartlett from the Rays earlier today. The Orioles and Pirates could end up splitting the remaining candidates. President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail told reporters around 6 p.m. that...
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No offers made to Pena or Konerko (updated)

No offers made to Pena or Konerko (updated)
President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail told reporters tonight that he never made an offer to free-agent first basemen Carlos Pena or Paul Konerko. MacPhail met with their respective agents, but he insisted that no offers followed those discussions. He knew after one conversation that Konerko wasn't leaving Chicago. Pena told a few reporters earlier today that the Orioles made an offer, but agent Scott Boras passed that information to him. MacPhail said he met with Boras once here,...
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Bartlett out; Hardy in? (updated)

Bartlett out; Hardy in? (updated)
Following word that trade talks for Jason Barlett were "dead," the Orioles are trying to finalize a deal with Twins shortstop J.J. Hardy. Backing a report in The Sun, an industry source confirmed that the Orioles are engaged in serious talks for Hardy, though a deal might not be completed today. You know how easily these things can fall apart, so don't get your hopes up until it's final. At least Nolan Reimold's name hasn't come up in talks. Hardy hit 50 home runs with the Brewers...
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Who's on first?

Who's on first?
We have conflicting reports on whether the Nationals have reached agreement with first baseman Adam LaRoche. One tweet says it sounds like LaRoche is headed to D.C. Another one says nothing is imminent and "not at all a lock." The Orioles can only hope that the second report is more accurate. They've expressed interest in LaRoche every winter since his T-ball days. Their choices are dwindling this winter, with LaRoche and Derrek Lee the most desirable options left on the free agent...
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Orioles drawing closer to re-signing Koji?

Orioles drawing closer to re-signing Koji?
Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail met again this morning with the representative for closer Koji Uehara. It's believed that the Orioles remain Uehara's first choice. The right-hander would prefer a two-year deal. If I'm the Orioles, I'd be a lot more comfortable with one year, heavy in incentives, plus a club option.
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Lobby chatter (updated)

Lobby chatter (updated)
One official told me that the Orioles never had serious interest in Japanese pitcher Kenshin Kawakami. The Braves have contacted every team, trying to unload the right-hander and a portion of his contract. The Orioles listened but weren't close to making a deal. The Orioles want to add a veteran starting pitcher, but the bullpen, first base and shortstop are higher priorities. The Orioles are still interested in re-signing Cesar Izturis to be their everyday shortstop or backup middle...
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What lies ahead...

What lies ahead...
I've read enough lies this week to last me a while. This one is true: Carlos Pena is off the board after agreeing to a one-year, $10 million contract with the Cubs. There was lots of talk here about agent Scott Boras' ridiculous asking price for Pena. One veteran scribe that I spoke with yesterday predicted that Pena would settle for a one-year deal. Boras got his $10 million annually, but on short term. Put 100 executives, scouts and writers in a room - and we've done that here - and...
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Quick hits from MacPhail (w/quotes)

Quick hits from MacPhail (w/quotes)
I'll post quotes shortly, but here are some topics that president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail addressed a few minutes ago - after he mocked all the false rumors that have been swirling. He even dropped a "kicking the tires" reference with a roll of his eyes. According to MacPhail: * We shouldn't expect any trades or signings to be announced tonight. * No trade talks are dead at this time "until they (players) go off the board." * No deals with free-agent relievers have been...
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Bartlett talks stalled

Bartlett talks stalled
A Rays official says nothing is imminent on the trade front regarding shortstop Jason Bartlett, and that most of the talks with clubs have been "bullpen-centric." Various reports are surfacing that talks with the Orioles are dead. We're heading up to Andy MacPhail's suite in a few minutes. Also, I'm told the Nationals had some interest in former Orioles outfielder Lou Montanez, but that may no longer be the case. Montanez is getting ready to play winter ball in Puerto Rico. Former...
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Showalter time

Showalter time
Orioles manager Buck Showalter just finished a lengthy interview session with reporters. One interested spectator was Luke Scott, who lives about an hour away and showed up with the usual winter beard and carrying an envelope with color photographs of the kills from his latest hunting trip. Not for the squeamish. Trust me. Showalter spoke about Josh Bell's efforts to get in better shape. The Orioles pushed him to avoid playing winter ball and instead place more emphasis "on some things he...
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For Konerko, no still means no

For Konerko, no still means no
Enough dirt has been dumped on the possibility of Paul Konerko signing with the Orioles, but I'll break out the shovel one more time. Konerko's agent, Craig Landis, met in the lobby with White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf a few minutes ago, and they headed up one of the elevators for another round of talks. I'm told again that Konerko has no interest in playing for the Orioles. He lives in Arizona and the White Sox train in Glendale. He also wants to end his career on a winning team. Also,...
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Opening double doors to the Asian market?

Opening double doors to the Asian market?
Multiple reports surfaced earlier today that the Orioles and Braves have held trade talks regarding Japanese pitcher Kenshin Kawakami. MASNsports.com's Steve Melewski recently got confirmation from an industry source. Kawakami, 35, is owed $6.67 million, and the Braves would have to eat a large chunk of it. They seem willing to do so. The Orioles made offers to Kawakami and Koji Uehara two winters ago. Uehara accepted their proposal, of course, while the Braves signed Kawakami, who's 8-22...
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Bartlett vs. Hardy vs. Izzy

Bartlett vs. Hardy vs. Izzy
The common feeling here among executives and scouts is that the Orioles are more likely to re-sign shortstop Cesar Izturis if they land a big bat at first base. We can debate whether Adam LaRoche would constitute a big bat. The Rays wanted reliever David Hernandez for Jason Bartlett, and they're still more interested in acquiring bullpen arms. Same with the Twins in any deal involving J.J. Hardy. It seems like every team here is looking for relievers. Again, we go back to Hernandez's...
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Early buzz involves former Oriole

Early buzz involves former Oriole
Sounds like another story about Sidney Ponson's drinking escapades, but you would be wrong. It appears that former Oriole Ty Wigginton has agreed to a two-year deal with the Colorado Rockies. So much for leaving that door open. Wigginton will serve as a right-handed bat off the bench, which would have been a nice role for him in Baltimore. I knew he would hold out for a multi-year deal, but I assumed he would wait to find out whether he could find a starting job at first or third base. A...
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Reynolds on Reynolds

Reynolds on Reynolds
The Orioles arranged a conference call with new third baseman Mark Reynolds, who spoke for about seven minutes before we let him enjoy the rest of his night. Reynolds said he was surprised to learn that the Diamondbacks traded him this morning. "Obviously, I didn't want to leave," he said. "I have my house here, my friends, family. I have a pretty good setup with spring training 10 minutes down the road. But I'm looking forward to it, going back east. I'm from Virginia Beach, so it's a...
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Showalter discusses Reynolds (updated)

Showalter discusses Reynolds (updated)
Manager Buck Showalter is aware of Mark Reynolds' low batting average this year. He's also aware of Reynolds' obscene strikeout totals. He doesn't seem to care. "You can find negatives on every player," he said. "I understand where Mark's history is. He would have led our club in home runs, RBIs, runs scored, walks, a lot of categories. That's just something we don't have. We're not going to beat him up on the negatives. "We dwell on the positive things that he brings. He brings...
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MacPhail discusses trade

MacPhail discusses trade
President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail made it to the podium this afternoon, accompanied by manager Buck Showalter and Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers. The topic, of course, was today's trade of third baseman Mark Reynolds to the Orioles for relievers David Hernandez and Kam Mickolio. "We made no secret of the fact that we were looking to augment our offense this off-season," MacPhail said. "We don't think we're necessarily done being able to improve our...
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How does Reynolds trade impact Bell?

How does Reynolds trade impact Bell?
New Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds is signed through 2012 with a team option for 2013. What does that mean for Josh Bell? It's a fair question, since the Orioles only sought a one-year deal for a third baseman last winter because they didn't want to block Bell. I haven't spoken to president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, who might shed more light on the subject when he meets with reporters later this afternoon. However, the trade doesn't have an immediate impact on...
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Hernandez: "It's kind of a bittersweet reaction"

Hernandez: "It's kind of a bittersweet reaction"
David Hernandez is still waiting to hear from the Diamondbacks, who completed their trade with the Orioles today. He's been busy fielding calls from reporters and friends. "It's kind of a bittersweet reaction, I guess," Hernandez said. "I'll be closer to home. That's for sure. But I'll miss all the friends and teammates I made along the way. That was my first organization coming into pro ball. "I have nothing but good things to say about the Orioles. They treated me well and gave...
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