masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgSARASOTA, Fla. – The Ravens are done playing and more attention now falls upon the Orioles. No more distractions unless you’re really into college hoops.
The Orioles won’t announce their minor league staffs until they hire a field coach at Single-A Frederick. If it’s keeping you awake nights, we need to talk.
Nothing new to report on Colby Rasmus. If he wants to sign with the Orioles so badly and use a one-year deal as a platform, what exactly is preventing the sides from reaching an…

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Ravens are done playing and more attention now falls upon the Orioles. No more distractions unless you’re really into college hoops.

The Orioles won’t announce their minor league staffs until they hire a field coach at Single-A Frederick. If it’s keeping you awake nights, we need to talk.

Nothing new to report on Colby Rasmus. If he wants to sign with the Orioles so badly and use a one-year deal as a platform, what exactly is preventing the sides from reaching an agreement?

Last time I checked, and it wasn’t long ago, the Orioles maintained interest in Rasmus and seemed to be moving closer to a deal.

As for the minicamp, players will begin trickling in today. Outfielder Henry Urrutia, catcher Michael Ohlman and a few others already have been working out here.

Manager Buck Showalter flew into Sarasota last night and will be at the Ed Smith Stadium complex today.

There haven’t been any changes to the facility. The Orioles didn’t request another practice field, new turf or a dome. They just want another left-handed hitter.

One of their former right-handed hitters, Nolan Reimold, remains a free agent. The Phillies and Indians are among the teams still expressing interest in signing him to a minor league deal. The Orioles have an offer on the table, but Reimold is hoping to secure a major league contract.

johnson-s-front-sidebar.jpg

The Orioles are trying to put the finishing touches on a minor league deal with pitcher Steve Johnson. Too bad it couldn’t get done sooner, because this minicamp would have given them the opportunity to watch him throw from 90 feet and check on his shoulder.

The United States Office of Foreign Assets Control reportedly has cleared Cuban right-hander Yoan Lopez to sign with a major league team, but I’m told that the Orioles haven’t been scouting him.

Lopez, 21, will be subject to international spending limitations.

The Rays traded Ben Zobrist to the Athletics yesterday, and the Orioles aren’t sorry that he’s left the division.

Zobrist is a career .280/.382/.498 hitter with 36 doubles, seven triples, 15 home runs and 61 RBIs in 122 games against the Orioles, and a .300/.390/.509 hitter with 23 doubles, five triples, five home runs and 27 RBIs in 60 games at Camden Yards.

Zobrist batted .329/.395/.513 in 19 games against the Orioles in 2013.