The articles posted in the offseason list him among the projected starting pitchers. People with a tremendous amount of influence in the Orioles organization expect him to make it, as if it would take some bizarre occurrence to deviate from the plan. So why won't right-hander Asher Wojciechowski believe it? Wojciechowski isn't used to arriving at spring training with a job basically waiting for him, but these are the 2020 Orioles and a rebuild makes it possible to change the narrative. If the...

Here are some great insights from the Nats Winterfest last week at Nationals Park. Closer Sean Doolittle shared about his time starting out in pro baseball when he arrived as a hitter. After suffering through several injuries, it was suggested to Doolittle that he switch from position player to pitcher. He then slowly made the transformation and got himself to the big leagues. "I definitely took the scenic route to get to the major leagues," Doolittle said on 106.7 The Fan on Sunday. "In...

The Nationals' primary goal for the better part of a decade now has been simple: Win the division. They've done that four times in the last eight years, though of course they immediately were eliminated in the National League Division Series each time. And of course the one time they reached the postseason via the wild card, they went on to win the World Series. So it might be easy for some right now to think it doesn't matter whether the Nats finish first or second in the National League...

The Orioles got some nice prospect recognition this week when three of their young players were noted as among the best in the game by MLBPipeline.com. Right-hander Grayson Rodriguez was rated as the No. 10 right-handed pitching prospect in the sport. A nice honor, since the prospects lists always seem to be loaded with right-handers. Pitcher DL Hall was listed No. 10 among left-handers and at catcher, Adley Rutschman was ranked No. 1. He's a top 10 national prospect. By the way, some of the...

While wondering if I should jump off the baseball beat and cover something more believable, like World Wrestling Entertainment ... What are the Orioles doing at third base? Mark it down as another storyline heading into spring training. Rio Ruiz made 89 starts at third to lead the club, but he also was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk and pretty much shared the position with Hanser Alberto. The Orioles could give him a shot at an everyday job, which he'll have to earn in camp. He's actually a...

The competition for a utility job with the Orioles has grown thinner. The Diamondbacks claimed Pat Valaika off waivers this afternoon after the Orioles designated him for assignment on Friday while selecting Richard Ureña off waivers from the Blue Jays. Ureña is poised to break camp with the team as a backup at various positions, most importantly shortstop behind starter José Iglesias. Meanwhile, Valaika is joining his third organization since Oct. 30. The Orioles claimed Valaika off...

The offseason now in progress has certainly proved eventful. The Nationals basked in the glow of their World Series title for just a moment, then turned their attention to the problem of defending their crown. Repeating as champs became all the more problematic when Anthony Rendon left D.C. for sunny California, but the Nats brought Howie Kendrick, Asdrúbal Cabrera and Daniel Hudson back into the fold while adding reliever Will Harris, veteran infielder Starlin Castro and slugger Eric...

Got the winter blahs? Repeat after me: Opening day is just a couple of months away. This week's set of "Orioles Classics" includes an opening day from four years ago that ended in a walk-off win for the O's. You'll also see a pair of late-20th century playoff games in Baltimore, one of which pitted two mound giants against one another and ended with the Birds advancing to the next round of the postseason. Add to that a trio of games featuring pitching oddities and you'll find enough...

Ryan Zimmerman worked out Wednesday with a professional sports team. He put on a uniform, emerged from a locker room and went through drills with fellow elite athletes, then answered questions from reporters after he was done. All of this took place, of course, at a hockey rink. Zimmerman, making good on a long-ago promise to Nicklas Backstrom, laced up his skates and donned a full set of equipment as a special guest goalie at Capitals practice Wednesday afternoon. At times looking quite spry...

The Orioles have removed a lot of the uncertainty that hung in the air after their final game of the season. However, there are questions that always linger like the aroma of a hard-boiled egg. And that's no yolk. This is why mailbags exists. This is why I continue to do sequels to the original. I don't have all the answers, but I'll keep pretending. Forgive the snark. What's your ideal rotation for the Orioles? Palmer, McNally, Dobson and Cuellar. Trying this again, what's your ideal...