Day 4 of the Winter Meetings

Day 4 of the Winter Meetings
NASHVILLE - Welcome to the final day of the 2015 Winter Meetings. We've reached the Rule 5 draft, followed by the stampede of executives and reporters to the airport. Try not to get in the way. I'm staying later because of my dedication. Or because I whiffed on the 1:30 p.m. flight and don't want to pay the cost of changing my reservation. What's a few extra hours at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center? Maybe I'll get in a little Christmas shopping. The Orioles will be...

Orioles holding firm on offer to Chris Davis

Orioles holding firm on offer to Chris Davis
NASHVILLE - The Orioles held another round of negotiations with agent Scott Boras today, but the conversation took place via a phone call and involved managing partner Peter Angelos. According to two industry sources, Angelos and Boras spoke again while trying to strike a deal with first baseman Chris Davis. They met in person before the Winter Meetings and were in contact again today while Angelos remained in Baltimore. The Orioles' offer hasn't changed, according to the sources. They're...

A few notes and quotes from Dan Duquette

A few notes and quotes from Dan Duquette
NASHVILLE - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette didn't meet today with agent Scott Boras and no more progress has been made in trying to reach agreement with first baseman Chris Davis. Duquette said he believes the club's relationship with Boras "is fine" and he's not conceding that a deal won't get done before team executives head home on Thursday afternoon. "I don't know," Duquette said. "I would never say never, but there's a lot of things that go into these multi-year...

Boras doesn't think Orioles have drawn "any lines in the sand" in Davis talks

Boras doesn't think Orioles have drawn "any lines in the sand" in Davis talks
NASHVILLE - According to agent Scott Boras, there is nothing "immediate" in regard to first baseman Chris Davis' contract negotiations. Talks continue as the Orioles' patience is tested. Boras has more meetings planned for tonight with unidentified teams, but an agreement with Davis isn't anticipated. "I've been in talks with a number of teams and, as with most Winter Meeting dynamics, you're kind of moving along and hearing what everyone has to say and just reporting it to Chris,"...

Darren O'Day takes physical (and other notes)

Darren O'Day takes physical (and other notes)
NASHVILLE - Reliever Darren O'Day has taken his physical after agreeing to terms with the Orioles on a four-year, $31 million contract. There don't appear to be any issues with the results and it's possible that an announcement could come by FanFest, which is being held Saturday at the Convention Center. O'Day agreed to terms on Monday after denying via Twitter the previous day that a deal had been completed. A few more details needed to be worked out. Sources have confirmed that O'Day was...

The latest from the lobby

The latest from the lobby
NASHVILLE - Chris Davis still hasn't made a decision. Continue to breathe normally. ESPN's Buster Olney confirmed what I tweeted last night about the Orioles' offer being around $150 million. Olney said the deal covers seven years. I was told it's a little more than $20 million per year, which adds up. However, I also heard about deferred money, which complicates it. Executive vice president Dan Duquette repeated on MLB Network this morning what he told the beat crew over the last few days....

More on Orioles' offer to Chris Davis and leftovers for breakfast

More on Orioles' offer to Chris Davis and leftovers for breakfast
NASHVILLE - Breakfast for me at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center has consisted of egg sandwiches and lattes at Starbucks. I ordered egg whites and turkey bacon on the second day to give the illusion of being healthy. Manager Buck Showalter will speak to reporters this afternoon after the annual reception and luncheon, when the beat crew dines with him at a circular table and audio, video, tweeting and other forms of social media are strictly prohibited. It's an informal...

Dan Duquette discusses attempts to make deals and much more

Dan Duquette discusses attempts to make deals and much more
NASHVILLE - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette focused mostly on the free agent market today while searching for a left-handed bat and the trade market while searching for starting pitchers. With the cost of arms these days, the Orioles are hoping to fill a hole in the rotation and improve their depth by dealing with other clubs. Of course, the challenge is finding a match. "We made a little progress today on the market," Duquette said from his suite at the Gaylord Opryland Resort...

Brady Anderson talks about his contribution to MLB auction

Brady Anderson talks about his contribution to MLB auction
NASHVILLE - Orioles vice president of baseball operations Brady Anderson wears many hats in the organization, and one of his most important roles involves setting up workout programs and training players in the organization. Now it's your turn. The Orioles have donated three items to Major League Baseball's online auction to raise money in the continuing fight against cancer. The auction is live on MLB.com until Thursday at 9 p.m. The Orioles are offering one fan a chance to be the public...

Duquette on today's meeting with Boras (and other notes)

Duquette on today's meeting with Boras (and other notes)
NASHVILLE - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette met today with agent Scott Boras and said the discussion centered mostly on first baseman Chris Davis. However, he reminded the media that the Orioles are searching for left-handed bats, suggesting that they also talked about Pedro Alvarez and perhaps Denard Span. It doesn't appear that the Orioles made much progress regarding Davis. Duquette said the club has maintained an ongoing dialogue, but nothing is new today. Does Duquette have...

Orioles return Dave Anderson to organization (and other notes)

Orioles return Dave Anderson to organization (and other notes)
NASHVILLE - The Orioles officially brought back Dave Anderson to the organization, hiring him for his old job as minor league infield coordinator. Anderson, the former Dodgers infielder, managed the Angels' Triple-A affiliate in Salt Lake over the summer. He expressed interest in returning to the Orioles after a one-year absence and they were happy to oblige. Kevin Bradshaw, hired by the Orioles as Anderson's replacement, will run extended spring training and coach in Florida, his duties...

Orioles meeting today with agent Scott Boras

Orioles meeting today with agent Scott Boras
NASHVILLE - Providing further proof that they haven't surrendered hope of re-signing first baseman Chris Davis, the Orioles are meeting today with agent Scott Boras at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. Multiple people have confirmed the meeting, and Davis won't be the lone topic of conversation. Boras also represents Pedro Alvarez, who was non-tendered by the Pirates and intrigues the Orioles as a potential left-handed bat at designated hitter. Outfielder Denard Span, who...

Orioles return focus to Chris Davis after retaining Darren O'Day

Orioles return focus to Chris Davis after retaining Darren O'Day
NASHVILLE - You may not agree with every move made by the Orioles, but you can't deny that they've been busier than the previous offseason. You also may find comfort in knowing that they're not done. They're determined to get a left-handed hitting outfielder via trade or free agency. They're determined to find another starting pitcher - a trade now seems more probable than a free-agent signing - and they continue to monitor the relief market despite retaining Darren O'Day. Another...

Orioles reach agreement with Darren O'Day on four-year deal

Orioles reach agreement with Darren O'Day on four-year deal
NASHVILLE - The Orioles have their agreement with reliever Darren O'Day and it's indisputable. According to a source, O'Day will sign his four-year, $31 million deal after taking a physical later this week. The paperwork has been turned in and the back end of the Orioles' bullpen just got stronger. A few details had to be worked out before the agreement became official. Earlier today, executive vice president Dan Duquette said, "We're continuing to work on that Darren O'Day project....

Orioles closer to finalizing O'Day deal (plus other notes)

Orioles closer to finalizing O'Day deal (plus other notes)
NASHVILLE - The Orioles appear confident that they will reach an official agreement with reliever Darren O'Day within the new few days. Executive vice president Dan Duquette said talks are "progressing" as the final details are hammered out and a physical is arranged. The Orioles intend to sign O'Day to a four-year deal worth $31 million, assuming that nothing has changed in that part of the agreement. Duquette was involved in a couple of trade talks today with teams willing to part with...

Cal Ripken Jr. named MLB youth programs advisor (updated with quotes)

Cal Ripken Jr. named MLB youth programs advisor (updated with quotes)
NASHVILLE - Cal Ripken Jr. has been named the new senior advisor to the commissioner on youth programs and outreach. Commissioner Rob Manfred will make the announcement later this afternoon at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. Ripken stays busy with his youth baseball complex, ownership of the Aberdeen IronBirds, analyst duties with TBS, overseeing the charitable foundation named after his late father and sorted other endeavors. What's one more job for baseball's Iron...

Neil Walker still on Orioles' radar

Neil Walker still on Orioles' radar
NASHVILLE - The Orioles' pursuit of a left-handed bat and a desire to improve their on-base percentage could lead them back to Neil Walker. Executive vice president Dan Duquette talked to the Pirates about Walker at last month's general managers meetings in Boca Raton, Fla. With the Orioles still unsure about Chris Davis, they maintain interest in Walker as a switch-hitting utility-type player who could get plenty of at-bats at first base and as their designated hitter. Walker is challenged...

The latest buzz on Chris Davis (and more)

The latest buzz on Chris Davis (and more)
NASHVILLE - The Orioles arrived at the Winter Meetings yesterday still trying to gauge the market for first baseman Chris Davis. Does it exist? If so, let's hear about the teams and the potential dollars. Don't hold back. I'm not talking about the inevitable mystery team, which won't surface until much later if Davis remains unsigned. Are the Cardinals still one of the favorites to sign him? ESPN.com suggested that their reported interest was overblown. Are the Astros willing to spend big...

Dan Duquette on Darren O'Day, a left-handed bat and starter, and more

Dan Duquette on Darren O'Day, a left-handed bat and starter, and more
NASHVILLE - Does stirring up the industry two straight years on the day before the official start of the Winter Meetings actually constitute a streak? Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette isn't being courted by the Blue Jays this year, but he has to address the confusion over an apparent agreement with reliever Darren O'Day on a four-year, $31 million contract. ESPN.com's Buster Olney is now reporting that the final details in O'Day's talks with the Orioles center on...

Quick hits from media session with Dan Duquette

Quick hits from media session with Dan Duquette
NASHVILLE - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette didn't wait for the inevitable questions about Darren O'Day. Before anyone from the media could chime in while gathering in his suite at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, he stated that "there's more work to do" regarding an agreement with the free agent reliever. Duquette said there's no "news item" today related to O'Day and he wouldn't provide a timetable for finalizing an agreement despite earlier...