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Jason Berken's in much better condition

January 29, 2011, 11:54am

Orioles

I should have just combined the Josh Bell and Jason Berken entries. I'm working on the same theme here. Berken said he's lost about 30 pounds this winter by increasing his training, running more and eliminating certain foods from his diet. Fellow reliever Jim Johnson provided the first dose of motivation after the season by advising Berken to cut out fried foods. Berken also stopped drinking sodas and pulling his car into fast-food lanes. "It was really important for me to utilize my...

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More on Duchscherer's decision

January 30, 2011, 4:20pm

Orioles

Now that we've diverted our eyes from Vladimir Guerrero for a few minutes, we can focus on the Orioles' latest acquisition. They reached agreement late Sunday night with pitcher Justin Duchscherer on a one-year contract that could pay up to $4.5 million in salary and incentives based on number of starts. The Orioles had become the overwhelming favorites in a relatively short amount of time. They offered him a major league deal and a chance to start. He wanted a major league deal and a...

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Once again, FanFest served as a great kickoff to a new season

January 30, 2011, 4:01am

Orioles

Once again, FanFest served as a great kickoff to a new season

If FanFest is about a great day to talk Orioles baseball and get excited for a new baseball season in Baltimore, then mission accomplished. Once again, more than10,000 fans packed the Baltimore Convention Center and it seems many of us left the building wishing today were opening day. Fanfest was: * Seeing Buck Showalter walk to the main stage shortly after 10 a.m. to a standing ovation from season ticket holders. * Hearing Brandon Erbe talk about the steady progress he is making since his...

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Duchscherer offered major league deal (and accepts it)

January 30, 2011, 1:02pm

Orioles

Duchscherer offered major league deal (and accepts it)

An Orioles source confirmed tonight that the club has offered free-agent pitcher Justin Duchscherer a major league deal for the 2011 season. The Orioles are one of the finalists for Duchscherer and could learn of his decision early this week. Duchscherer threw for an Orioles scout Friday in Arizona and obviously made a strong impression. If he signs, Duchscherer will compete for a spot at the back of the rotation. He's also been a reliever in his professional career, but the Orioles aren't...

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Orioles remain in running for Duchscherer

January 30, 2011, 10:38am

Orioles

I'm hoping to provide at least one Justin Duchscherer update every day, just so I can learn to spell his name without having to look it up. It's J-U-S-T-I-N. Seriously, I did the same thing with Scott Kamieniecki. Not sure why I kept calling him "Justin." Anyway, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal speculates in this tweet that the Orioles made a major league offer to Duchscherer. ESPN's Jerry Crasnick tweets that the Orioles and Nationals are among four finalists for Duchscherer. President of...

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Leftovers from FanFest

January 30, 2011, 5:11am

Orioles

Good morning to everyone. I'm nursing my FanFest hangover this morning, and it has nothing to do with alcohol. That was quite a scene yesterday at the Baltimore Convention Center. The crowd exceeded 10,000, but fell short of the 12,000 that poured into the facility last year. Members of the media, and some Orioles officials, agreed that it seemed like more people were in attendance - probably because the venue was smaller. But I can vouch for the long line that wrapped around the building...

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The new double play combination speaks

January 29, 2011, 8:34am

Orioles

Shortstop J.J. Hardy and second baseman Brian Roberts stepped behind the stage to meet with reporters a few minutes ago. Hardy is impressed by today's fan turnout. "This is pretty good," he said. "I don't know how many people it is. They said about 10,000. It sounds like everyone is pretty excited." That includes Hardy. "This offseason, I didn't know what was going to happen," he said. "I felt like I was going to get traded. I didn't know where. With all the moves that the...

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Wieters aiming for offensive resurgence in 2011

January 29, 2011, 9:14am

Orioles

Wieters aiming for offensive resurgence in 2011

Matt Wieters hopes to put up better numbers on offense this year, and when he analyzed his game after the 2010 season he came to the conclusion that he chased too many pitches last season. "It's consistency, getting pitches to hit and not chasing them out of the zone. In the minors, I prided myself on discipline at the plate and last year I got away from that a little bit, tried to do too much. You have to give yourself the best chance," he said. "I went out of the zone I am comfortable...

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Reimold happy he's still an Oriole

January 29, 2011, 10:54am

Orioles

Nolan Reimold is at FanFest - and happy to still be an Oriole. During the Winter Meetings, it looked like Reimold would get dealt to Tampa Bay in a move that would have made shortstop Jason Bartlett an Oriole. "I woke up one morning and got a text from my agent to call him and that's how I found out I was about to get traded. But I'm happy that fell through and I'm still in Baltimore," he said. "I thought it was almost a done deal and then it fell through. That's the first time my...

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Guthrie, Orioles have discussed long-term contract

January 29, 2011, 8:16am

Orioles

Orioles starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie said today at FanFest that he and the club have had a conversation about the possibility of a long-term contract. "I don't think the parties agreed on the length of it, but I love Baltimore. I love pitching here and anytime you can provide your family with security, it's a great option. I'm very happy to also play it out year-by-year and have the motivation to go out and do the best that I can. Whatever happens, I'll be a good spot," Guthrie...

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Josh Bell's in much better condition

January 29, 2011, 11:17am

Orioles

Josh Bell looks noticeably thinner since he's been working out with former Oriole Brady Anderson. He can't tell you how much weight he's lost, but he brought a different body to FanFest. "I haven't jumped on a scale yet," Bell said. "I'm going to wait to surprise myself. I feel great. I'm running well. Everything's stronger." Bell started his winter in Arizona and has since relocated to Florida and California. He's spent the last two weeks with Anderson in California. Bell is...

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Mark Connor's tale of the tape

January 29, 2011, 10:58am

Orioles

Mark Connor has spent his winter getting acclimated to his new pitching staff. He's been watching videos that the Orioles supplied for him. No sense waiting until spring training. "I had the video coordinator (Michael Silverman) make up some DVDs of all these guys, as much as you can get - good outings, bad outings - just to kind of wrap my arms around these guys and see what they're all about from a physical standpoint," said Connor, who replaces Rick Kranitz as pitching coach. "You...

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New O's coach Wayne Kirby can't wait to get started

January 29, 2011, 9:41am

Orioles

New O's coach Wayne Kirby can't wait to get started

If you want to meet someone that is almost bubbling over with excitement for the new Orioles season, check out new first base coach Wayne Kirby. Kirby is the only member of the new O's staff that has never coached in the majors, but he can't wait to get started. "I have a lot of passion for this game," Kirby said. "I bring energy every day and kids feed off that. If I'm dead, (a player) may be. I'll bring it every day and they might have to tell me to shut up." Kirby. who will also...

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Healthy Bergesen optimistic about 2011 season

January 29, 2011, 9:17am

Orioles

Healthy Bergesen optimistic about 2011 season

Brad Bergesen says he's been going online for the first time this winter to check on the Orioles' offseason moves. He laughed when I asked which sites he checks. I was serious, but anyway... Bergesen has joined the ranks of the excited. He's expecting much better results from the Orioles in 2011. "I've been paying attention because there's been so much activity," he said. "I'm on the computer almost every night, just doing a quick search, seeing if anything's new. Obviously, I...

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Fresh from West Coast workouts, Matusz eager to get going

January 29, 2011, 7:26am

Orioles

Fresh from West Coast workouts, Matusz eager to get going

Orioles lefty Brian Matusz is enjoying the optimism around the Baltimore Convention Center today and said he is pretty psyched for the 2011 season. "You can see it, everyone is excited," he said. "We just seem like a team, we all are real comfortable right now. I keep saying it, but I am real excited about this spring. Our new park (in Sarasota), I hear is amazing." Matusz said he had a productive winter of workouts on the West Coast. "It's been a good offseason. I've been working out...

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Talking Millwood, J.J. and Vlad at FanFest

January 29, 2011, 5:45am

Orioles

Talking Millwood, J.J. and Vlad at FanFest

President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail and manager Buck Showalter are taking questions from season-ticket holders at the first forum of today's FanFest at the Baltimore Convention Center. Showalter received a rousing ovation and chants of "Buck, Buck Buck." MacPhail told the crowd that the Orioles have interest in bringing back Kevin Millwood, saying the idea hasn't been ruled out "by any stretch," but the hindrance in signing any of the remaining free-agent starters is the...

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Showalter weighs in on starting pitching, Scott's future role

January 29, 2011, 6:53am

Orioles

Showalter weighs in on starting pitching, Scott's future role

After he and president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail held their fan forum here today with season ticket holders, Orioles manager Buck Showalter talked with reporters on a few O's topics. Showalter was asked if the club still wants to sign a veteran starting pitcher. "It's something we have kicked around a lot. Just because a guy doesn't necessarily look attractive with his recent track record doesn't mean he's not going to be an impactful pitcher for us," he said. "We are still...

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MASN to unveil text-messaging service at Saturday's FanFest

January 28, 2011, 11:31am

Orioles

MASN to unveil text-messaging service at Saturday's FanFest

Saturday's Orioles FanFest at the Baltimore Convention Center will be full of fan forums, autographs and giveaways. But Orioles fans attending the annual baseball-centric celebration will also get the opportunity to participate in a brand-new MASN initiative: a mobile text-messaging platform that will deliver important FanFest updates directly to their cellular devices and smart phones. By texting ORIOLES to 74499, O's fans will be given an opportunity to receive updates throughout the day....

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Quick Duchscherer update

January 29, 2011, 6:18am

Orioles

President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said he received a positive report on free-agent pitcher Justin Duchscherer, who threw for their Arizona-based scout yesterday. The Orioles retain interest in Duchscherer, but MacPhail warned again that you can't read too much into a pitcher's winter bullpen session. "We're pleased with the way he's come along at this point," MacPhail said. "As I mentioned before, that is not an uncommon occurrence for us. We have seen this year three or...

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Orioles sign utility infielder Nick Green (updated)

January 28, 2011, 11:36am

Orioles

The Orioles have added another candidate for their second utility infield job, agreeing to terms with veteran Nick Green on a minor league contract with a spring training invitation. There's your big FanFest announcement. OK, not really. But he did agree to the deal. Green will compete with Robert Andino and Brendan Harris for the chance to join Cesar Izturis on the bench. If this sounds like a repeat, the Orioles almost had a deal done with Green last month, but he was hoping to land a...