masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgMore awards will be announced tonight on MLB Network with the unveiling of the Most Valuable Players in both leagues.
The Angels’ Mike Trout, the Tigers’ Victor Martinez and the Indians’ Michael Brantley are the American League finalists. Trout is expected to win handily.
I’ll check whether Orioles outfielders Adam Jones and Nelson Cruz received any votes. That’s the assumption.
Jones finished sixth in 2012 and 13th in 2013. Cruz hasn’t crashed the MVP party, but 40 home runs should get…

More awards will be announced tonight on MLB Network with the unveiling of the Most Valuable Players in both leagues.

The Angels’ Mike Trout, the Tigers’ Victor Martinez and the Indians’ Michael Brantley are the American League finalists. Trout is expected to win handily.

I’ll check whether Orioles outfielders Adam Jones and Nelson Cruz received any votes. That’s the assumption.

Jones finished sixth in 2012 and 13th in 2013. Cruz hasn’t crashed the MVP party, but 40 home runs should get him an invitation this year. Just not the award.

markakis-balck-siwng-alds-sidebar.pngI’ve received lots of inquiries this morning about Nick Markakis and I have nothing to add beyond what I wrote yesterday.

His agent, Jamie Murphy, met with executive vice president Dan Duquette after more than a week of silence. Progress was made. Both sides are optimistic about a new deal, which still figures to be four years in the $40-$48 million range.

I’m not braced for an announcement today and Murphy is naturally going to continue speaking with other teams. Why would he start closing doors? It ain’t over till it’s over.

Markakis will stay with the Orioles. I’ve felt that way all along. It’s just not in the club’s nature to act quickly.

A report surfaced this morning that the Orioles made an offer to free-agent pitcher A.J. Burnett, but I checked with two officials who disputed it.

I was told that Burnett to the Orioles “isn’t happening.” But, hey, he’s a free agent again and he still lives in Monkton, so we may as well talk about him and keep the tradition alive.

The Phillies signed three players to minor league deals with spring training invites today who have ties to the Orioles: outfielder Xavier Paul, infielder Russ Canzler and catcher John Hester.

The Orioles traded Canzler to the Pirates on July 12, 2013. Name the player they received without looking it up.

Unlike previous offseasons, the Orioles aren’t expected to make many changes to their minor league staffs. The only coaching vacancies are in Triple-A Norfolk after hitting coach Denny Walling’s retirement and Single-A Frederick after the Orioles’ decision not to renew the contract of field coach Torre Tyson.

Did you remember the player obtained by the Orioles in the Canzler deal?

The Orioles acquired pitcher Tim Alderson, the Giants’ first-round draft pick in 2007. They released him in July.