The Orioles veered away from an organizational philosophy last winter when they including a $7 million player option for 2018 in catcher Welington Castillo's free agent contract. They didn't refer to it as an opt-out clause, but it basically played as one. Castillo declined the option, as expected, and he agreed to terms today on a two-year, $15 million deal with the White Sox. His latest contract comes with an $8 million team option for 2020. A .282/.323/.490 slash line with 20 home runs in...

Seth Romero's tenure as a pitcher at the University of Houston did not end the way he would have liked, but he has the confidence of the Nationals and is looking to prove he was worthy of a high draft pick. Baseball America agrees that Romero is a talent and he already ranks No. 5 on their top 10 Nats prospect list. But national writer Carlos Collazo contends Romero will need to mature baseball-wise and as a man in his first few years as a professional to turn into the pitcher he is capable of...

Who knew a trip down memory lane would be so popular? The response to Thursday's article tracking down five former Nationals position players were overwhelmingly positive. Glad you all enjoyed it. I had already planned to publish today's article about former Nats pitchers, so hopefully you'll enjoy these as well. Maybe I'll have to make this into something of a regular feature, though, maybe a more in-depth look at one ex-National at a time, because there were plenty I didn't get to...

As the Orioles continue their search for starting pitchers, casting a wide net that covers the free agent, trade and international markets and potential non-tenders, they also are banking on two strong halves from Kevin Gausman. Tabbed as this year's opening day starter due to Chris Tillman's shoulder injury, Gausman registered a 5.85 ERA and 1.763 WHIP before the All-Star break and a 3.41 ERA and 1.204 WHIP after it. In 2016, he had a 4.15 ERA and 1.304 WHIP before the break and a 3.10 ERA...

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette indicated again tonight that he expects to keep closer Zach Britton rather than succumb to the various trade proposals. Appearing on the first edition of the "Orioles Hot Stove Show" on 105.7 the Fan, Duquette was asked to place odds on Britton being with the club on opening day. "I think they're good," he replied. "I like Zach Britton. Obviously, there's a lot of interest in him. He's got one year left on his contract here, he's been one...

Over the last few weeks, we have taken a look at nine different free agent starting pitchers in three different entries here. Today, let's take another look and rank them one through nine. I'm ranking mostly on my opinion of their talent level, while also taking into consideration the contract terms that might be needed to get it done. Yu Darvish and Jake Arrieta are not on the list. It would be a real surprise if the Orioles are willing to commit to the years and dollars those two will...

The Orioles have announced start times for their 2018 home schedule, and folks attending Sunday games at Camden Yards are going to have to adjust their schedules. Sunday games will now begin at 1:05 p.m., a change from the previous 1:35 p.m. start time. Though games will start a half-hour earlier, Sundays will still be family days at the ballpark, which means fans ages 4-14 will be able to participate in a postgame Kids Run The Bases event, sponsored by Weis Markets. The Orioles will begin the...

The Orioles announced today their home game times for the 2018 season. The Orioles will open the season at Oriole Park against the Minnesota Twins as part of a three-game homestand beginning with Opening Day on Thursday, March 29, with first pitch slated for 3:05 p.m. ET. New in 2018, Sunday home games played at Oriole Park will now begin at 1:05 p.m., a change from previous years in which Sunday home games began at 1:35 p.m. Sundays will once again be family days at the ballpark, when all...

If you've been thinking this offseason has been awfully quiet so far, you're not alone. The World Series ended four weeks ago, with free agency officially beginning five days later, and there has been next-to-no significant news across the baseball world. Eventually, that will change, most likely in the days leading up to the Winter Meetings (which begin Dec. 11 in Orlando). Until then, we'll keep trying to fill the void around here with content on a variety of topics. Like this one. The...

As the Orioles look to add left-handed hitting and some balance to their lineup versus right-handers, they could do a lot worse than Adam Lind. Yes, Adam Lind, who is a free agent and won't come at a big price. He has a good track record versus right-handed pitchers. What he doesn't truly offer is a good fit on an Orioles roster that already has several first base-designated hitter types. Lind, though, has played the outfield and played some in left field for the Nationals in 2017. While no...