We're in the midst of a new week in a new year with the same old questions hovering around the Orioles. Dogging them like a pack of Dobermans. How will executive vice president Dan Duquette fill out the rotation with three spots open and the club showing no inclination to spend the necessary amount to land an ace-like arm? Which left-handed hitters will be obtained, whether via trade or free agency, in an attempt to provide a little more balance to the lineup? Which left-handed reliever will...

As the new year arrives, the Orioles have some of the old problems. The calendar may have changed, but it is the same offseason from one day to the next. So today I wish everyone a happy new year along with a wish that in 2018 the discourse could always be nice and pleasant here. That is the wish anyway. I also wish for a resolution soon of the situation with Manny Machado. Until the Orioles make a public statement saying otherwise, they certainly appear still open to dealing the third baseman....

Some good things happened in 2017. Some bad things happened, too. No matter how you felt about the previous year, everyone can agree we all want to strive to be better in the new year. That applies to the Nationals, as well. And so without further ado, here are the Nats' resolutions for 2018, which every member of the club was nice enough to share with me for publication (as far as you know) ... BRYCE HARPER: No injuries of consequence in a contract year. MICHAEL A. TAYLOR: Take nothing for...

While wondering how many fans woke up this morning with their faces pressed against the cold bathroom floor tiles ... I've never been one to compose a list of New Year's resolutions, mainly because there's little chance that I'd see them through. And they're terribly clichéd as sports-related stories on Jan. 1. But who am I to judge? Or Aaron Judge? If the Orioles are going to create team-wide resolutions, they should make certain to include the following: Avoid breaking the club record...

The 2018 campaign is obviously a big season for the Nationals, a team built for the postseason, with outstanding starting pitching, timely hitting and stout defense. But 2018 is also the final season Bryce Harper is under contract with the Nats. The club has been working to secure a long-term deal with one of the elite offensive stars in baseball. One part of the scenario that might help in getting Harper to consider D.C. as his permanent baseball home is the status of his older brother, Bryan...

As we count down the final days of 2017, we're counting down the most significant stories of the year for the Nationals. Some are positive. Some are negative. All helped define this baseball season in Washington. We'll reveal two per day through New Year's Eve, concluding right now with ... No. 1: Another Game 5 loss It has become something of an annual ritual around here, rehashing another gut-wrenching loss in Game 5 of the National League Division Series. But until the Nationals prove...

As we count down the final days of 2017, we're counting down the most significant stories of the year for the Nationals. Some are positive. Some are negative. All helped define this baseball season in Washington. We'll reveal two per day through New Year's Eve, continuing right now with ... No. 2: Baker fired, Martinez hired The question of Dusty Baker's future with the Nationals lurked underneath the surface for most of the 2017 season, but it never truly felt like that much of a question...

Time to take a look back at the last week of stories here. Yes, of course, there was much more talk and discussion about Manny Machado. This amid some reports that indicate the Orioles, while still open to dealing their star third baseman, won't wait on offers forever. Probably time to make a deal if they are going to. On Tuesday, we looked at how Machado might bring a return to include at least one major league ready starting pitcher. He may be about the only player they could trade that...

With New Year's Eve upon us and recycled news all the rage during the hot stove season, I'm tempted to dust off my annual quip about assuring that the ball drops at midnight. You know, by putting (insert name of poor defender) underneath it. We all have our own holiday traditions. Manny Machado never will make it as the punchline. Platinum Glove winners are ineligible. (Hey, in case you hadn't heard in the last hour, the Orioles remain in touch with teams interested in trading for Machado...

As we count down the final days of 2017, we're counting down the most significant stories of the year for the Nationals. Some are positive. Some are negative. All helped define this baseball season in Washington. We'll reveal two per day through New Year's Eve, continuing right now with ... No. 3: Scherzer wins another Cy Young Seven-year contracts for pitchers are supposed to be dangerous. Few have ever worked out as initially hoped. Max Scherzer still has four years remaining on his...