Now that we've welcomed a new year, we can say that spring training starts next month. It won't be long before things are hopping at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, Fla., as the Orioles get ready for a most intriguing 2019 season. But before we look to the future with names like Mike Elias and Brandon Hyde, it's time to reflect on some Or

As the world waits for Bryce Harper to make his long-awaited decision, the Nationals wait to figure out what exactly their 2019 lineup is going to look like. It's no hyperbole to suggest this lineup would look dramatically different without Harper in it than with him, and not simply because of his large presence in the heart of it all. There are some significant domino effects to Harper's decision that will impact not only who bats in the middle of the lineup but probably the top as well. If...

Kevin Gausman and Darren O'Day are in Atlanta. Jonathan Schoop is now in Minnesota. Zach Britton is headed back to the Bronx and Manny Machado is on deck. Adam Jones is very likely moving on as well. There seemed to be little consternation around Birdland when Britton agreed to re-sign with the Yankees over the weekend. This could be for several reasons, including that Orioles fans knew he wasn't coming back. They were never rumored to be pursuing Britton. And that old gang of theirs was long...

There's no denying the Nationals sorely missed Howie Kendrick last season. The veteran utilityman was being counted on both for his performance on the field and his leadership off the field. Then, six weeks into the season, he ruptured his right Achilles tendon. Though he made occasional appearances in the clubhouse so team doctors could check on his progress, Kendrick was mostly a forgotten man the rest of the year. So the Nationals are particularly excited about the prospect of having...

In looking back at the last week on this blog, we got into a few interesting topics and will revisit a few today. Your takes and comments on these topics are very welcome. On Monday, we took yet another look at Chris Davis. He's firmly in the doghouse of fans around Birdland after his struggles hit a new low in 2018. Last season, Davis hit .168/.243/.296 with 192 strikeouts, 16 homers and 49 RBIs. The same player who produced an OPS of 1.004 in 2013 and .923 in 2015 posted a .539 OPS in...

The Orioles needed only one day to resolve their situation with infielder Breyvic Valera. Valera has been traded to the Giants for cash considerations, with both teams making the announcement. He was designated for assignment yesterday after the Orioles claimed pitcher Austin Brice off waivers from the Angels. A spot had to be opened for Brice on the 40-man roster and Valera was the casualty. The Orioles could have attempted to pass him through waivers, but they worked out a trade. Former...

There wasn't much Orioles news to come out of the Winter Meetings beyond the decision to hire Brandon Hyde as manager, whatever the zealous level of the reports. Roster rumblings pretty much were limited to the Rule 5 draft and a waiver claim of third baseman Rio Ruiz. But two injury updates were noteworthy. Executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias said he expected reliever Richard Bleier and outfielder/designated hitter Mark Trumbo to be ready for opening day based on the...

The appeal of bringing in Mike Elias as the head of baseball operations for the Orioles centered on his deep background in scouting and player development. His experience working the international market. His familiarity with analytics and an unwavering belief that they must be incorporated in today's game in order to be competitive. The man has been entrusted with a variety of responsibilities over the years in the Cardinals and Astros organizations, and his fingerprints will cover the...

The excitement the Nationals have for their new high school top draft pick, right-hander Mason Denaburg, is equaled in Baseball America's Nats top 10 rankings. Denaburg is ranked at No. 4 in the Nats top 10 as he heads into his first full season as a pro. Denaburg had a full ride to the University of Florida on his resume, dealing at 92-96 mph with his fastball and throwing a 77-81 mph curveball, according to this FanGraphs.com preview from April 2018. The write-up described Denaburg's...

General manager Mike Rizzo, as has been noted here before, believes the single best path toward a championship is through a dominant rotation. No, you can't win with great starters and nothing else. But he firmly believes no matter what other strengths your roster boasts, it won't amount to anything without a top-notch rotation. Hence the significance of this winter's Patrick Corbin signing. Along with Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, Corbin gives the Nationals three potentially dominant...