The Orioles today announced that they have acquired outfielder Efren Navarro from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for cash considerations. To make room on the 40-man roster, outfielder L.J. Hoes has been designated for assignment. Navarro, 29, hit .329/.380/.442 with 24 doubles, one triple, two home runs and 29 RBIs in 72 games with Triple-A Salt Lake in 2015. In 54 games with the Angels last season, he batted .253/.295/.301 with four doubles and five RBIs. Over nine minor league seasons,...

The Orioles acquired a left-handed hitting outfielder today in a trade with the Angels, obtaining Efren Navarro for cash considerations. Outfielder L.J. Hoes was designated for assignment to create a spot on the 40-man roster. Navarro, 29, hit .329/.380/.442 with 24 doubles, one triple, two home runs and 29 RBIs in 72 games with Triple-A Salt Lake in 2015. He batted .253/.295/.301 with four doubles and five RBIs in 54 games with the Angels. Over nine minor league seasons, Navarro has hit...

As the Orioles continue their search for another starting pitcher and outfielder, they're much more comfortable with a lineup that includes first baseman Chris Davis. It wasn't easy, but they got the deal done, reaching agreement on a seven-year contract that totals $161 million - including $42 million deferred and payments that stretch until Davis is in his 50s. It became official on Thursday. Managing partner Peter Angelos and agent Scott Boras worked late into the night of Jan. 15 to...

There is still a good buzz around right-hander Reynaldo Lopez, who accelerated onto the scene the last two seasons by displaying a 95-plus mph fastball from his 6-foot frame. Coupled with the 6-foot-6 Lucas Giolito, they provided a lethal one-two punch in the Nationals system. A slight back injury slowed Lopez down a bit as the 2015 season wore on, but he is still considered a hot commodity and is No. 5 in Baseball America's ranking of top Nationals prospects. No. 5 Reynaldo Lopez Lopez...

The New York Mets are set to defend their National League pennant with the pitching staff that had the fourth-best ERA (3.44) in the league. The Nationals have a new look to their rotation. The Marlins are hoping for health and a chance to show they were better than last season. The Braves and Phillies are dealing with rebuilding projects. As the mid-Atlantic moves snow and baseball fans look forward to spring training, here's how pitching stacks up in the National League East: ATLANTA...

The Rays rotation is deep and returning to health. The Yankees have a trumped-up bullpen, a candidate to be the best in baseball. The Red Sox signed David Price to anchor their rotation and Craig Kimbrel to be their closer. The Blue Jays have Drew Storen, the former Nationals closer. The Orioles have a strong bullpen, but rotation questions. Here's how the American League East pitching shapes up as the mid-Atlantic shovels snow and dreams of watching live batting practice: BALTIMORE...

Even with the departures of right-handers Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister through free agency, the Nationals haven't been aggressively pursuing starting pitchers this offseason. "I like the rotation as it is," Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said earlier this month. "We have a very talented, quality starting rotation." Rizzo reportedly flirted with righty Mike Leake and left-hander Scott Kazmir before the free agents signed with the Cardinals and Dodgers, respectively. According to...

So how will Chris Davis handle the pressure to produce now that he has signed what is easily the richest contract in Orioles history? No one has a crystal ball on that front. In three of his four full seasons in Baltimore, he has produced an OPS of at least .827, hit at least 33 homers and recorded an OPS+ of at least 121. We all recall that when he was trying to follow up his 53-homer season in 2014, he hit just .196 with 26 homers, 72 RBIs and a .704 OPS. O's fans certainly hope that will be...

There are 23 more days before Orioles pitchers and catchers officially report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, though the number of early arrivals seems to grow every year. Twenty-three more days and we still don't know who's replacing Wei-Yin Chen in the rotation. If the season started today, the Orioles would make a fortune on coffee and hot chocolate sales. Also, I'd have to project Vance Worley as the fifth starter based only on my God-given right to guess along with...

Former Orioles outfielder David Lough has signed a minor league deal with the Phillies that includes an invitation to spring training. The club made the announcement this afternoon. The Phillies front office is loaded with former Orioles executives, including newly hired senior director of baseball operations Ned Rice. The Orioles non-tendered Lough on Dec. 2 rather than offer him a contract for the 2016 season. He immediately became a free agent. Lough, who turned 30 this month, made $525,500...