As Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins gets set for the new season - one where he could be the everyday center fielder - he said the major league experience he gained late last year is very valuable to him now. "I think it was pretty important," said Mullins, who made his major league debut Aug. 10. "You get the nerves out. You get to see a lot of the guys that you will be facing in the future already. And get to study them." Mullins had a remarkable debut, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, two...

Luis Garcia can defend at shortstop, second base and third base. The 18-year-old played 78 games for low Single-A Hagerstown and 49 games for high Single-A Potomac, and made a name for himself with his hitting ability, as the Nats No. 3 prospect. Garcia made great strides with his work at high Single-A at such a young age, demonstrating batter's box awareness and patience similar to what we have seen from Juan Soto in his introduction to the major leagues. Carter Kieboom and Garcia have been...

It's been too long. Our last edition of 10 questions was before Christmas, and now the countdown to the report date for Orioles pitchers and catchers is in single digits. The team will be playing spring training games in less than three weeks. So, per usual, answer one or all 10 questions and provide short answers or answers that are very expansive. Respond to the answers from other readers to keep a good conversation going. But also feel free to skip any questions you like. But dive in on...

As spring training fast approaches, it's time to break down the state of the Nationals roster, position by position. The series begins today with the starting rotation ... It's no secret how the Nationals have attempted to build a championship-caliber roster over the last seven seasons: with a dominant rotation leading the way. Trouble is, the 2018 version of that rotation didn't come close to holding up its end of the bargain and proved to be perhaps the No. 1 reason this team...

Citing a need to "enhance ballpark safety," the Nationals announced Friday a new policy that prohibits fans from bringing backpacks into Nationals Park for the upcoming season. Fans previously had been allowed to enter the ballpark with backpacks, which, like other bags, were screened by security personnel at all gates. The team will no longer allow them, though, except in cases of backpack diaper bags or backpacks used for medical reasons or for devices covered by the Americans with...

At the start of the offseason, MLBTradeRumors.com released its predictions for the free agents this winter. Bryce Harper was predicted to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers and get a 14-year contract for $420 million. Manny Machado was projected to sign with Philadelphia for 13 years and $390 million. So it's February and we are still waiting. Will either of these players get anywhere close to those numbers? For years we heard that teams like the Yankees were pointing specifically to this...

The media at FanFest was treated to the availability of 27 players and six coaches for interviews in the workroom on the third level of the Baltimore Convention Center, along with executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias and manager Brandon Hyde. The Orioles PR staff spoiled us again, making it easy to gather notes and quotes in a comfortable setting. The only unexpected absences were due to scheduling conflicts that couldn't be avoided, with Jonathan Villar and Luis Ortiz...

Today, the Washington Nationals announced that beginning with the 2019 season backpacks may not be brought into Nationals Park, except as otherwise provided in the Nationals Bag Policy. The policy was revised in order to enhance ballpark safety. Exceptions may be made for backpack diaper bags or backpacks used for ADA/medical reasons. All purses, briefcases, drawstring bags, diaper bags and soft-sided coolers that do not exceed 16"x16"x8" will still be permitted. On the day of purchase,...

Beyond the outside hires that have been made public via Twitter, the Orioles also are shuffling minor league personnel to fill vacancies at multiple levels of their farm system. The Triple-A affiliate in Norfolk has announced the promotion of manager Gary Kendall, 55, from Double-A Bowie. Kendall will replace Ron Johnson. Buck Britton, 32, is moving up from low Single-A Delmarva to Bowie as Kendall's replacement, according to sources. An announcement from the Orioles is pending on the...

The Orioles' search for a veteran catcher to toss into the spring training competition led them to Jesús Sucre, who has agreed to terms on a minor league deal. The announcement came this afternoon. Sucre's contract includes an invitation to major league camp and guarantees $850,000 if he makes the club. USA Today reported that the deal also includes a March 22 opt-out date. The 40-man roster still holds only two catchers - Austin Wynns and Chance Sisco, who were rookies in 2018. Non-roster...