It wouldn't be the hot stove season if there weren't rumors swirling about. And with the Winter Meeting looming next week in Nashville, the Nationals continue to be strongly linked to one of the more popular free agents out there, utility man extraordinaire Ben Zobrist. See, that's what some fuel on the ol' hot stove fire feels like. Multiple reports over the past few days have indicated that the Nationals, Mets and Giants were among the 20 or so teams that were hot and heavy in pursuit of...

Before executive vice president Dan Duquette, manager Buck Showalter and the rest of the Orioles contingent gather in Nashville next week for the Winter Meetings, decisions must be made regarding the contract statuses of their 11 arbitration-eligible players. Here comes another way to clear a spot or two on the 40-man roster. The Orioles must tender contracts by the 11:59 p.m. deadline on Wednesday night. They did it with all 11 of their eligible players last year - Zach Britton, Chris Davis,...

The Orioles currently have seven outfielders on their 40-man roster, but only one - Adam Jones - that we know will be an everyday player next year. The others on the 40-man are Dariel Alvarez, L.J. Hoes, Junior Lake, David Lough, Nolan Reimold and Henry Urrutia. We know the Orioles are in the market for corner outfield help to play on either side of Jones. Will they sign or trade for one outfielder? Will they look to add two players there? MLBTradeRumors.com rated four free agent outfielders...

Anyone want to watch some radio? The "Hot Stove Show" is returning to 105.7 The Fan beginning on Thursday and running through the end of spring training on March 31, 2016. I'm joining MASN's Jim Hunter again for the hour-long program, but the venue has changed. Rather than sit in studio, we're taking our act on the road to Dempsey's Brew Pub & Restaurant at Camden Yards. Fans are encouraged to come out for any of the 16 shows, which run from 6 p.m.-7 p.m. We'll talk Orioles and...

The Orioles today announced the return of the weekly "Hot Stove Show" on CBS Radio's 105.7 The Fan (WJZ-FM), the flagship station of the Orioles Radio Network. Beginning on December 3, 2015, fans will be able to enjoy one hour of Orioles news, analysis, special guests, and more each week on 105.7 The Fan. MASN broadcaster Jim Hunter will join MASNsports.com beat writer Roch Kubatko to host the program live from Dempsey's Brew Pub & Restaurant. Orioles Executive Vice President of Baseball...

Tomorrow is another one of those important housekeeping dates on the Major League Baseball offseason calendar. By 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, teams must offer their arbitration-eligible players contracts or non-tender those whose services they're no longer interested in. While some Nationals players have multi-year contracts - think Max Scherzer, Jayson Werth, Ryan Zimmerman, Bryce Harper and other guys who helped push the team's 2015 opening day payroll north of $162 million -...

As expected, Jordan Zimmermann is gone from the Nationals. He's agreed to a five-year, $110 million contract with the Detroit Tigers, his first chance to pitch in the American League. But what kind of team are the Tigers going to be next season? They could either be an aging team in need of a rebuild, much like the Philadelphia Phillies, or a team planning to return to first place in the AL Central with the addition of Zimmermann. Zimmermann, who turns 30 in May, will slot No. 2 in the Tigers...

I sought your opinions yesterday on free agent outfielder Denard Span and the idea of having him play right field for the Orioles. Being the fickle sort, I'm moving on to another player. This one isn't a free agent. He isn't a plus defender. His contract makes the strongest stomachs dry heave. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Hanley Ramirez. There are conflicting reports on whether the Red Sox are trying to trade Ramirez, who turns 32 next month. The Boston Globe listed the Orioles among...

Now that right-hander Jordan Zimmermann has moved on to the Detroit Tigers, the Nationals must figure out how they will replace the coveted starter. Zimmermann tossed 201 2/3 innings in 2015, compiling a 13-10 record with a 3.66 ERA. He matched Max Scherzer with 33 starts and was second on the team for innings pitched, 27 innings less than Scherzer. With right-hander Doug Fister also not returning, the Nationals must look to find a pair of starters. Right-hander Joe Ross would be the most...

Well, left-handed pitcher J.A. Happ is getting a three-year, $36 million deal from Toronto, while Detroit has agreed with right-hander Jordan Zimmermann on a deal reportedly for five years and $110 million. Of those two, Happ got more than I would have figured and Zimmermann actually got less. Detroit will have to give up a draft pick for signing Zimmermann, but it will be a second-round selection, as their No. 9 overall pick is protected. Zimmermann sure could have helped the Orioles, but...