The next big move for the Orioles, or one of them, will certainly be the hiring of a new manager. New general manager Mike Elias said the background work on managerial candidates had already begun the day he met the media for the first time on Monday. He would not put a timetable on the hiring and seemed to want to be thorough in his search for Buck Showalter's successor. I'm not sure we just could put down on paper exactly what the Orioles need in a new skipper and then find someone that...

The Orioles have less than a week to make a decision on director of scouting Gary Rajsich before his contract expires. While the contracts of other employees ended on Oct. 31, Rajsich continues to be paid through November and is awaiting a decision. There have been numerous changes in the baseball operations department, player development and scouting since the Orioles concluded a 115-loss season and began their search for a replacement for executive vice president Dan Duquette. And more are on...

Earlier this month, during the GM meetings in Carlsbad, Calif., news surfaced that the Nationals had extended an offer worth $300 million over 10 years to free agent-to-be Bryce Harper late in the regular season. The offer reportedly contained no opt-outs for the slugger, and was summarily dismissed by Harper and his agent, Scott Boras. Since then, there's been a ton of chatter about where Harper might wind up when he signs what could be the most expensive free agent contract ever. Daily...

Shortstop Carter Kieboom advanced to Double-A in 2018 within the Nationals organization. The 2016 first-round selection was also invited to participate in the Arizona Fall League. His team, the Salt River Rafters, advanced to the title game. Kieboom got some playing time at second base for the first time in his professional career. He hit .295 with a .427 on-base percentage in the AFL over 21 games. Nationals director of player development Mark Scialabba said the organization wanted to get...

The Orioles added Frederick, Md., native Branden Kline to their 40-man roster on Oct. 30 and it was pretty much a no brainer. They added a young pitcher with a big arm who was once one of their top draft picks. Kline returned strong this year after three seasons from 2015-2017 that were impacted by his Tommy John surgery in the fall of 2015 and complications after the procedure. Kline made eight starts to begin the 2015 season for Double-A Bowie, but didn't pitch after late May, and his elbow...

The Orioles have moved back into the slow lane while navigating through the Thanksgiving holiday. They hired Sig Mejdal as an assistant to executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias, which shouldn't have come as a surprise to anyone. They selected pitcher Dillon Tate's contract from Double-A Bowie, which shouldn't have come as a surprise to anyone. They signed four players to minor league contracts, including infielder Jace Peterson, which might have surprised some people. I...

If Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo wants a difference-maker behind the plate, Kurt Suzuki is going to be a backup catcher in 2019. Oh, Suzuki may still get to strap on the gear and catch 50 or 60 games, but banking on a 35-year-old to handle the game's most physically demanding position for 110 or more games is asking for a lot. So buckle up, make sure that your seatbacks and tray tables are in their upright and locked positions, and get ready for some turbulence as the Nationals attempt...

Newly reacquired catcher Kurt Suzuki returns to D.C. as the Nationals look to bounce back from a down year. They missed the postseason for the first time since 2015 and saw the Braves (including Suzuki) win the National League East. Now that he's back with the Nats, can Suzuki help them with his bat as well as his his game-calling and defense behind the plate? He just had two very good years with the bat for the Braves. Or are the Nats OK with average offense output from that spot in the order...

The Orioles hire a top executive for their baseball operations department and fans wonder how it might impact Chris Davis. Mike Elias brings in Sig Mejdal as an assistant in charge of analytics and fans wonder how it might impact Chris Davis. The managerial search is underway, with Elias already doing background work and tapping into his vast network, and fans wonder how it might impact Chris Davis. A new hitting coach? A true commitment to rebuilding? The chance for snow next month? Fans...

When the Orioles took the field against the Philadelphia Phillies for the 1983 World Series, there was plenty of motivation, and not just to win the championship. The Orioles were also out to avenge two heartbreakers - losing a 3-1 lead in the 1979 World Series and losing the 1982 American League East title on the season's final day. The Orioles lost the series opener 2-1 to the Phillies at Memorial Stadium, but that would be their only loss. They took the series in five games, completing the...