masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgSanta Claus arrived early today, which leaves me perplexed. I don’t have a chimney and I haven’t left the house all day. How did this happen?
Note to the bearded one: Don’t scarf all the Double Stuf Oreos, especially after going into the pantry to get them. If they’re not on a plate in the living room next to a glass of milk, they’re not for you.
One box was marked “non-update updates,” which hadn’t been on my list. I opened it anyway and found the following:
* The warehouse is closed…

Santa Claus arrived early today, which leaves me perplexed. I don’t have a chimney and I haven’t left the house all day. How did this happen?

Note to the bearded one: Don’t scarf all the Double Stuf Oreos, especially after going into the pantry to get them. If they’re not on a plate in the living room next to a glass of milk, they’re not for you.

One box was marked “non-update updates,” which hadn’t been on my list. I opened it anyway and found the following:

* The warehouse is closed for the holidays, but executive vice president Dan Duquette hasn’t changed his cell phone number. The Orioles reached agreement with Delmon Young last year on New Year’s Eve. I’m not anticipating a mega-deal being struck before Jan. 2, 2016, but it’s not completely out of the question.

All it takes is that one call.

Chris Davis laughing.jpg* There’s nothing new regarding first baseman Chris Davis. The Orioles are holding firm to their seven-year offer, which totals $150 million due to deferred money attached to the proposal. Agent Scott Boras is fine with dragging negotiations into January, as he did with first baseman Prince Fielder.

Neither side has blinked, which must be harder on the eyes than a shirtless Santa.

* The Orioles aren’t setting aside $150 million for Davis. He can have it if no one else agrees to a deal that removes a huge chunk of it.

The offer is off the table, but it’s not buried in a jar under the deck next to the goldfish graveyard.

* The Orioles don’t consider themselves in the running for left-hander Wei-Yin Chen as long as he’s seeking a five-year, $100 million deal. They’re not venturing into that neighborhood.

Chen has his share of supporters in the organization, but he’s apparently not coming back to Baltimore. Someone will step up with an offer that suits Boras. It won’t be the Orioles unless there’s a dramatic change in their thinking.

* Duquette wants another left-handed bat and he wants a starting pitcher to plug into Chen’s spot. He also would like to improve the pitching depth in the organization by adding another starter to a low-risk, high-reward type of deal.

* The Orioles don’t seem inclined to offer a fourth year to left-hander Scott Kazmir. They shocked the industry by doing it for Ubaldo Jimenez, but they’re not expected to do it for Kazmir. We’ll see.

* The Orioles appear to be on the short list of finalists for right-hander Yovani Gallardo, but other teams suddenly could jump into the bidding. We’ll see.

* Hyun Soo Kim is projected to play left field for the Orioles. He also can play first base, but that’s not his designated position in the majors. He’s going to get lots and lots of reps in left after reporting to the Ed Smith Stadium complex.

First base coach Wayne Kirby also serves as outfield instructor. He’s going to be a popular interview in camp.

* The Orioles are interviewing candidates for assistant hitting coach – they had a teleconference with at least one – but they don’t appear close to making a decision. They’re down to three finalists.

Not everyone is in a rush to get it done, wanting to make absolutely sure that they get it right.

OK, why are there socks and underwear in this box?