LAS VEGAS - The Orioles have the No. 1 pick in the Rule 5 draft, which is the last event of the Winter Meetings. It takes place 9 a.m. Pacific time on Thursday at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Baseball America executive editor J.J. Cooper is as knowledgeable of that draft as anyone and has written on it and studied it for years. Here is his latest story previewing this year's draft. The Houston connection with the Orioles' Mike Elias and Sig Mejdal could come into play on...

LAS VEGAS - The Winter Meetings are all about rumors. They dominate the lobby conversation day and night at the Mandalay Bay Casino and Resort. They fuel all sorts of media speculation. And they're discussed each day when reporters meet with general managers to get an update on their team's machinations. This morning brought some chatter n Yahoo! Sports about the Nationals shopping right-hander Tanner Roark, who seems an unusual trade candidate considering that general manager Mike Rizzo...

LAS VEGAS - The Orioles aren't expected to shop Dylan Bundy at the Winter Meetings, with executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias referencing the right-hander in a letter sent out to season ticket holders. However, some of the executives who have gathered at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino are curious about the availability of Alex Cobb, who has three years and $43 million remaining on the deal he signed in spring training. I spoke with one executive yesterday who thought the...

LAS VEGAS - It's probably no surprise that while Orioles fans seem excited with their new general manager Mike Elias, and national reporters echo some of their feelings. Two I talked with yesterday, ESPN's Keith Law and Jonathan Mayo of MLBPipeline.com, spoke highly of what Elias can do for the Orioles. "I think it's a great hire," said Mayo. "Obviously, you see the success the Astros have had in terms of what the Orioles now need to do in terms of rebuilding from within. That is in areas...

LAS VEGAS - Hiring the next manager for the Orioles is an important priority in the short term for new executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias. He will pick one of six candidates he's interviewed for the job. Though Elias wouldn't confirm any of the reported names, the six candidates are known to be Nationals bench coach Chip Hale, Cubs bench coach Brandon Hyde, Royals quality control/catching coach Pedro Grifol, Diamondbacks director of player development Mike Bell, Rockies...

LAS VEGAS - The Orioles will choose a manager from among six candidates, according to executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias. However, it's possible for two hires to come out of the process. Elias seems to be leaning more toward experience, preferring someone who's managed in the majors, but he also could hire Diamondbacks director of player development Mike Bell in a coaching capacity. Bell, 44, could serve as bench coach or third base coach under Chip Hale, Brandon Hyde or...

LAS VEGAS - Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias arrived at the Winter Meetings this morning with his focus primarily on the hiring of a new manager, which would lead to the completion of the coaching staff. The roster isn't being ignored, but there are more pressing matters, including replacements for director of player development Brian Graham and director of scouting Gary Rajsich. Elias praised the work done by assistant Sig Mejdal, director of baseball operations...

LAS VEGAS - The Rays redefined their pitching strategy last season, and they are getting ready to use the same philosophy in 2019. That is, they will continue to do their bullpenning. "We're going to see it happen," Rays manager Kevin Cash said during a press conference Monday at the Winter Meetings at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. "We're going to do it." Why not? It worked. The Rays finished third in the American League East with 90 victories. Most teams would panic if they lose...

LAS VEGAS - The Rays redefined their pitching strategy last season, and they are getting ready to use the same philosophy in 2019. That is, they will continue to do their bullpenning. "We're going to see it happen," Rays manager Kevin Cash said during a press conference Monday at the Winter Meetings at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. "We're going to do it." Why not? It worked. The Rays finished third in the American League East with 90 victories. Most teams would panic if they lose...

LAS VEGAS - Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias confirmed this afternoon that he's conducted six in-person interviews for the managerial position and hopes to name a replacement for Buck Showalter later this month. Elias, meeting with the media for about 20 minutes inside his suite at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, said the process is "pretty far" along and there won't be a second round of interviews. He has all of the information that he needs. Though Elias...