Nats want a center fielder - what about O's Adam Jones?

Nats want a center fielder - what about O's Adam Jones?
DALLAS - The Nationals are shopping for a center fielder at the Winter Meetings. How about the Orioles' Adam Jones? Here's a proposal: The Orioles trade Jones to the Nationals for a pitcher, John Lannan or Ross Detwiler, second baseman Steve Lombardozzi and centerfielder Roger Bernadina. The Nationals could get one more player, but basically, the players named would be the foundation of the proposal. The trade would be good for the Orioles because it would boost their pitching staff and...

Day Three in Dallas

Day Three in Dallas
DALLAS - For me, this feels like the final day of the Winter Meetings. From a workload and stress standpoint, tomorrow is a breeze compared to the others. Executives, scouts, agents and reporters bail after the Rule 5 draft, which is held in the morning. Today is expected to be busy for a lot of teams, including the Orioles, who could make a trade and perhaps announce their coaching staff for next season. We might have our first Scott Boras sighting, which is like the circus coming to town,...

More from Dan Duquette

More from Dan Duquette
DALLAS - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette apologized to reporters today for not having more news. We were willing to take any scraps, but yes, a full meal would have been much more satisfying. Maybe we'll feast tomorrow. I'd settle for soup, which can be a meal. "I wish I had more A stuff today," he said. "We met with a couple more clubs, we advanced a couple different trade proposals, and we made a couple offers to sign players, but we really don't have anything new to...

Dan Duquette: "We are not out marketing Adam Jones"

Dan Duquette: "We are not out marketing Adam Jones"
DALLAS - During my one on one video interview tonight with Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette, I asked him about center fielder Adam Jones. There were conflicting reports today, including my own blog where I reported a source saying the Orioles were open to holding trade talks involving Jones. Another report said the Orioles were telling teams Jones was "off limits." I asked Duquette if either were true. "First of all, we are not out marketing Adam Jones," Duquette said....

Why would you trade pitching for pitching?

Why would you trade pitching for pitching?
DALLAS - Some fans have asked why the Orioles would trade pitching for pitching, as for instance moving Jeremy Guthrie and getting a pitcher of Guthrie's ability back in return. Isn't that just swapping one deck chair for another? One reason to do that would be to get a pitcher that is younger and perhaps less expensive. Before you go saying, "There the Orioles go, going cheaper again," that move could be smart and they could use the savings in another area. Of course, under the above...

Would the Orioles entertain trade offers for Adam Jones? (update)

Would the Orioles entertain trade offers for Adam Jones? (update)
DALLAS - A major league source said the Orioles are willing to trade Adam Jones. I would say there is a big gap between "are willing to trade him" and "an actual deal happening," so it's a little premature to jump that far with this development. It makes perfect sense to me for the team to listen to offers for Jones. He's a 26-year-old talent whose best years are likely ahead of him and several teams would have to be very interested in the Orioles center fielder. They could possibly get...

Orioles re-sign Brandon Erbe

Orioles re-sign Brandon Erbe
DALLAS - The Orioles have signed pitcher Brandon Erbe to a minor league contract, keeping him in the organization that drafted him out of McDonogh High School. Erbe, a third-round selection in 2005, was designated for assignment over the summer and cleared waivers. The Orioles outrighted him to short-season Single-A Aberdeen in August. He was a minor league free agent. Erbe underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum on Aug. 13, 2010, and it's been a long road back to recovery. He went 0-1...

Checking again on the pitching market

Checking again on the pitching market
DALLAS - Chicago White Sox general manager Kenny Williams told reporters today that he's not getting suitable offers for his pitchers, so he's inclined to hold onto them at the moment. This news impacts the Orioles, who are looking for pitching - in case you hadn't heard - and might have made a run at Gavin Floyd or John Danks. Of course, Williams could change his stance with one phone call, meeting or elevator ride. I'm just giving you the current update. Also, I heard earlier today...

The hunt for pitching (with note)

The hunt for pitching (with note)
DALLAS - The Chicago White Sox and Tampa Rays have pitching to spare. The Orioles want a frontline starter to stabilize their rotation and take a little more pressure off the young arms. So how exactly are they supposed to match up? That's the burning question here at the Hilton Anatole. As I wrote earlier, White Sox general manger Kenny Williams would move Gavin Floyd or John Danks, but he wants young pitching in return. He's also in the market for an outfield prospect. The Orioles are...

No interest in Soriano

No interest in Soriano
DALLAS - Just to keep the rumor mill from spinning completely out of control, I'll try to slow it a little by passing along confirmation that the Orioles aren't interested in Cubs left fielder Alfonso Soriano. The Cubs reportedly are trying to convince the Orioles to take Soriano and are willing to absorb most of the $54 million he's owed. I'm told that the Orioles will pass on that offer. Keep in mind that the Cubs approached the Orioles. I never heard that the Orioles initiated talks....

Cal Ripken on a postage stamp? It could happen

Cal Ripken on a postage stamp? It could happen
The United States Postal Service is asking for your suggestions for a new stamp. For years, the post office wouldn't put someone on a stamp that hadn't been dead for at least five years. That appears to be changing. According to this piece in The Washington Post, one person that could be on a new stamp is Hall of Famer and longtime Oriole Cal Ripken Jr. Ripken's competition includes Steve Jobs, Oprah Winfrey, Billy Graham, former president Bill Clinton, Jerry Lewis and President Barack...

Still a Buehrle fan

Still a Buehrle fan
DALLAS - While the Orioles have yet to make any deals or acquisitions here at baseball's Winter Meetings, they clearly have a lot of irons in the fire. One source familiar with the club's work here last year and this year described them as much more active now. Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette told us last night that he has talked to more than 10 teams but he didn't give reporters an indication whether any deals are close or getting closer at this point. Former president Andy...

Day Two in Dallas (updated)

Day Two in Dallas (updated)
DALLAS - If you're anticipating that the Orioles will make a move today, look for it to be a trade. And expect it to involve a starter or reliever. Could Mount St. Joseph grad Gavin Floyd be in the mix? The White Sox apparently are willing to move him, and the Orioles have coveted him for years. Well, former president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail was a big admirer. I doubt that executive vice president Dan Duquette has any issues with Floyd. Pure speculation. I'm just saying that...

Showalter one-on-one video interview

Showalter one-on-one video interview
DALLAS - After Orioles manager Buck Showalter met with a horde of reporters here today at the Winter Meetings, he took some time out for a one-on-one interview here on MASNsports.com. Showalter talked on several topics including the additions to the front office of Fred Ferreira and Lee Thomas. "Freddy was in New York with me and very instrumental in Bernie Williams, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada," Showalter said. "Freddy is solid. Great addition. Lee Thomas, there is not many things Lee...

Quick hits with Duquette

Quick hits with Duquette
DALLAS - I'll post quotes later, but I wanted to pass along the highlights from today's media session with executive vice president Dan Duquette. Duquette said he met with about 12 teams today and spoke to six or seven others. He has a few more meetings scheduled for tonight. Duquette said most of the activity today centered on trade discussions, and 65 percent of it involved pitching. The Orioles are in the market for a veteran starter who can provide stability to the rotation, but they...

Hearing more from Duquette

Hearing more from Duquette
DALLAS - Rick Peterson reportedly is no longer a candidate to become Boston's pitching coach. I mention it because Peterson interviewed last week for the Orioles' minor league pitching coordinator job. Here are some comments from executive vice president Dan Duquette: "There were mostly trade discussions today, and some free agent discussions. But primarily trade discussions," he said. "There seems to be more relievers in the market. I haven't found anybody to make a deal yet, so I...

Quotes from Buck Showalter

Quotes from Buck Showalter
DALLAS - Orioles manager Buck Showalter finished a lengthy session with the media a few moments ago. Here are a few topics he addressed: Are these meetings any different with Dan Duquette? "There are some similarities. We met as a group this morning, the travel party at 8 a.m. Dan made a lot of assignments, different clubs. We gathered some more information. Everybody has their own personality and how they choose to do things. It's been fun. "Sometimes we make too much of these four...

As promised, Brooks Robinson has visited bronze likeness

As promised, Brooks Robinson has visited bronze likeness
DALLAS - Back in October, when he was overcome with emotion at the unveiling of a nine-foot bronze statue of himself on a plaza between Russell Street and Washington Boulevard that now bears his name, Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson told reporters that he planned to sneak back and take a look at his likeness when all the hubbub died down. Fat chance, right? Like Robinson could quietly walk around the slab of concrete outside Pickles Pub and not be noticed? He's a Baltimore deity,...

Orioles still deciding Jim Johnson's role (and more)

Orioles still deciding Jim Johnson's role (and more)
DALLAS - Orioles manager Buck Showalter is meeting with the media. I'll pass along a few notes here, and check Steve Melewski's blog for quotes. Showalter laughed and shook his head when asked whether the Orioles signed Prince Fielder today. Maybe the results of the physical haven't come back yet. Kidding. Showalter repeated that every team here is looking for pitching. It's the "one common denominator," he said. Jim Johnson's role for 2012 remains undecided. He could be a starter...

More from Showalter

More from Showalter
DALLAS - As of 4:30 p.m., the Orioles hadn't met with the agent for outfielder/DH Manny Ramirez. Or should that be DH/outfielder? Anyway, the Orioles aren't dismissing the idea of pursing Ramirez. "I don't think we're in a position to completely close the door on anything," manager Buck Showalter said. "I don't think we're far enough along with anything to say that's in, that's out, but we'll see." The Orioles have held internal discussions about Ramirez, but "not in depth,"...