In looking back at the last week of stories in this space, we had quite the variety. There was, of course, Manny Machado trade talk, also some free agent pitching discussion and a look at Chance Sisco's opportunity to make the 2018 Orioles. There was a post on Arizona's top two pitching prospects with the D-backs a potential Machado trading partner. There was also a look at Miguel Castro as a starter candidate and the latest payroll math after Friday's arbitration agreements. It was an...

The Orioles today announced that they have agreed to terms with infielder Tim Beckham, right-hander Brad Brach, left-hander Zach Britton, catcher Caleb Joseph and infielder Manny Machado on one-year contracts, avoiding arbitration. Beckham, 27, hit .306/.348/.523 (66-for-216) with 13 doubles, two triples, 10 home runs, 36 runs scored, and 26 RBI in 50 games with the Orioles. He was named American League Player of the Week for July 31-August 6, his first time winning the award. Brach, 31,...

In striking one-year deals with all three of their arbitration-eligible players yesterday, the Nationals also got some more clarity on their total team payroll - and its luxury tax implications - heading into the 2018 season. Obviously these numbers could still change depending on other moves the Nats make along the way, from potential free agent signings to potential trades both before and during the season. But what does appear pretty clear at this point is that this is going to be the...

The "deadline" for arbitration-eligible players to reach agreement on contracts for the upcoming season deserves the quotation marks that surround it. Big, bold, permanent marks like tattoos. Talk about a forced storyline. Talk about wasted energy. Executive vice president Dan Duquette was 0-for-7 past the 1 p.m. "deadline" and signed five players later in the day. It just meant that the sides ventured into territory where salary proposals are exchanged. Negotiations can continue right up...

After the Orioles agreed with five players on 2018 contracts Friday, avoiding possible arbitration hearings, we can take another look at their current payroll. According to Cot's Baseball Contracts, the salary for the Orioles' opening day roster was $147.7 million in 2016 and $164.3 million last season. Before Friday, the Orioles had four guaranteed salaries on the books for 2018, with Chris Davis listed at $21.1 million, Adam Jones at $17.3 million, Mark Trumbo at $12.5 million and Darren...

The Orioles are left with two unsigned arbitration-eligible players after a flurry of activity past the 1 p.m. deadline. Pitcher Kevin Gausman and second baseman Jonathan Schoop didn't agree to terms and it appears that the situation will remain unresolved heading into the weekend, according to a source. The sides have exchanged salary proposals and negotiations may continue until the hearing dates, which will be set for next month. A three-person panel will choose one of the salaries. Gausman...

The announcement was delayed a bit, but the Nationals did agree to terms with all three of their arbitration-eligible players before today's 1 p.m. deadline, avoiding hearings with Anthony Rendon, Tanner Roark and Michael A. Taylor. All three players agreed to one-year contracts, the club announced more than an hour after Major League Baseball's deadline passed. Given the overload of similar deals being struck around the sport at the same time, it's not uncommon for the formal announcement...

The 1 p.m. deadline has passed for teams to sign their arbitration-eligible players before the sides exchange salary figures. The seven Orioles haven't reached agreements, but executive vice president Dan Duquette texted that the club is "still working on it." The sides can continue to negotiate while hearing dates are set for next month in Phoenix. It's a pretty flimsy deadline. Third baseman Manny Machado, closer Zach Britton, second baseman Jonathan Schoop, starter Kevin Gausman,...

Spring training is right around the corner! In a few short weeks, Orioles fans from all over will fly south to Sarasota to catch the first live baseball action of 2018. And what better way to cap off the winter than Birdland's most popular event of the offseason? That's right, Orioles FanFest is approaching, and sooner rather than later, Orioles players, coaches and fans will gather at the Baltimore Convention Center for a day of baseball fun. And we'll be there with plenty of chances for...

There has been precious little news this winter, but there was some news yesterday with Edwin Jackson's return on a minor league deal. And there will be news today. Not huge news, but at this point, who are we to complain? Today marks the deadline for all major league clubs and all arbitration-eligible players to either agree to terms on their 2018 contracts or else formally file competing offers to league headquarters, which then will set arbitration hearing dates to settle their cases. What...