The Orioles' quest for more starting pitching has carried them to a former Cy Young Award winner. The second minor league deal offered in two days. According to an industry source, the Orioles have agreed to terms with veteran Félix Hernández on a contract that pays $1 million if he's on the club. The news on Hernández comes less than 24 hours after confirmation that the Orioles re-signed left-hander Wade LeBlanc to a deal that offers $700,000 if he's on the active...

Though a bunch of members of their World Series roster have now departed, the Nationals are bringing back one beloved player from that championship group few could've envisioned returning: Gerardo Parra. Yes, the Nats have signed Parra to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training, a source familiar with the deal confirmed. The popular outfielder will report to big league camp in West Palm Beach, Fla., and have a chance to make the opening day roster, which would earn him $1...

The warning came early Monday morning, with pitcher Alex Cobb told by his representatives in a phone call of the pending trade from the Orioles to the Angels. The bags packed for spring training weren't going to make it to Sarasota, Fla. "I had had some discussions with my agents about some possibilities, that things might be happening, so it was on my radar, but also, didn't put my stock into it," Cobb said this afternoon. "I believed I was showing up to spring training. Had my place set,...

Brian Krehmeyer first began to notice the eighth-grader on days that the kid would sit in the stands at Wesleyan School in Norcross, Ga., watching baseball practice and greeting the coaches. Always eager to strike up a conversation, always smiling. Krehmeyer had been an assistant for six years and became head coach in 2012. One of his freshman players that first season in charge was Jahmai Jones. The talkative kid who later would be drafted by the Angels in the second round and traded to the...

The Washington Nationals agreed to terms on a one-year contract with catcher Alex Avila on Wednesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Avila, 34, is a veteran of 12 Major League seasons, having played for the Minnesota Twins (2020), Arizona Diamondbacks (2018-19), Chicago Cubs (2017), Detroit Tigers (2009-15, 2016) and Chicago White Sox (2016). He's hit .235 with a .348 on-base percentage and a .394 slugging percentage with 146...

Because his final year-plus was beset by injuries and inconsistent performances on the mound, we might tend to forget just how great Sean Doolittle was for the majority of his Nationals career. Make no mistake: Doolittle not only was the anchor of the Nats bullpen, but one of the most dominant relievers in baseball for a prolonged stretch. The left-hander made his Nationals debut July 18, 2017. From that moment through May 15, 2019 - just before the first of his multiple meltdowns against the...

The Orioles today announced that they have acquired infielder/outfielder Jahmai Jones (juh-MY) from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for right-hander Alex Cobb. The Orioles 40-man roster currently has 40 players. Jones, 23, made his Major League debut in 2020 for the Angels, appearing in three games and collecting three hits in seven at-bats. Jones has appeared in 484 career minor league games, slashing .258/.338/.386 (491-for-1900) with 90 doubles, 24 triples, 35 home runs, and 96 stolen...

Left-hander Wade LeBlanc is headed back to the Orioles. LeBlanc has agreed to terms on a minor league deal with a spring training invite, according to a source. LeBlanc can earn a base salary of $700,000 if he's on the club. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias has sought at least one veteran starting pitcher. The trade of Alex Cobb to the Angels, which is still awaiting approval from the commissioner's office, could lead to another signing. The Orioles have major league offers...

When the Nationals convene in 10 days at West Palm Beach, Fla., they will be full of optimism and eager to erase the stench of a 26-34 record in the truncated 2020 season that earned them a share of last place in the National League East. But amid all the cliches about being in the best shape of their lives, boundless hope that things will be better in 2021 and the inevitable focus on how newcomers to the organization will adjust, one factor drives performances more than any other. Some guys in...

Baseball America recently released its prospect position rankings, which followed up its release of the publication's top 100, where the Orioles placed five players. Adley Rutschman, ranked No. 2 in the Baseball America top 100 (subscription may be required), is rated as the No. 1 catcher in what Baseball America calls a loaded group of catchers, with nine of their top 10 rated also in their top 100. Baseball America points out that it was only three seasons ago that there were only four...