When news of Matt Wieters accepting the Orioles' qualifying offer spread yesterday afternoon, some fans immediately feared this meant the Orioles would have less money to sign Chris Davis or other free agents. Well, Wieters made $8.3 million last year and through arbitration, had he been an arbitration-eligible player this year, his salary probably would have increased to $10-$11 million. So this is no huge overpay, here but Wieters will play for $15.8 million in 2016. Dan Duquette said the...

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette stated today that there's still enough payroll flexibility to retain first baseman Chris Davis despite committing $15.8 million to catcher Matt Wieters, who accepted the qualifying offer. "I don't think it impacts our desire or our ability to re-sign Chris Davis," said Duquette, who's in New York to watch third baseman Manny Machado receive his Gold Glove. "I will say this, It's the shortest and quickest negotiation I've ever had with...

To no one's surprise, Jordan Zimmermann this afternoon passed on the $15.8 million qualifying offer extended by the Nationals. The right-hander now becomes one of the most sought-after starting pitchers in free agency. The Cubs, Giants, Red Sox and Cardinals are just a few of the teams rumored to have interest in Zimmermann join their rotation. The Nationals drafted Zimmermann in the second round in 2007 out of the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. He made his major league debut with...

The Orioles today announced that catcher Matt Wieters has accepted the club's Qualifying Offer and will return for the 2016 season. Wieters, 29, batted .267/.319/.422 with eight home runs and 25 RBI in 75 games with the Orioles this season. He finished the season riding an eight-game hitting streak (.444/.545/.741) and slugged the 100th home run of his career in Game 2 of a doubleheader on September 30 against Toronto, becoming the 24th player in club history to hit 100 home runs. A...

Ian Desmond won't play for the Nationals next year. The 30-year-old, who was drafted by the Expos and has played his entire career in Washington, declined the club's $15.8 million qualifying offer today. The Nationals are still waiting on right-hander Jordan Zimmermann to decide on his qualifying offer. The deadline is 5 p.m. today. Desmond enters the free agent market for the first time and is expected to command a multi-year deal worth at least $75 million. The Mets, Padres, Diamondbacks...

The general managers meetings concluded this week in Boca Raton, Fla., and while these gatherings are usually for fact-finding missions, there were plenty of trades. Perhaps it is because of the turnover - one-third of the bosses that make the trades - are new to teams this year. We anticipate that the GM meetings could launch a wild and crazy offseason. So here are the talking points after a week of talking in Boca Raton: * There is a never-ending speculation that the Nationals will trade...

Though he understood the risks and took his time making the decision official, Orioles catcher Matt Wieters said today that he always was leaning toward accepting the qualifying offer and staying in Baltimore. It's just the right fit for Wieters and his family. Wieters will return to the Orioles on a $15.8 million contract as the second player to accept the qualifying offer. Astros outfielder Colby Rasmus also took it. "I wouldn't say it was an easy decision because when you play for...

Catcher Matt Wieters will return to the Orioles in 2016. Wieters has accepted the Orioles' $15.8 million qualifying offer, according to a source, while first baseman Chris Davis and left-hander Wei-Yin Chen are assured of rejecting it. The club hasn't confirmed it, but an announcement will come later today. The deadline is 5 p.m. Wieters was the uncertain one in the group. All three players are represented by agent Scott Boras. The Orioles will receive compensatory draft picks if Davis and...

Nationals launch search for the newest concession at Nationals Park The Nationals are giving local vendors and restaurants the chance to pitch their culinary concepts to be sold at Nationals Park during the 2016 season, offering businesses from D.C., Maryland and Virginia the exciting opportunity to have their product featured at a Major League ballpark. "We are always looking for opportunities to offer a greater variety of local culinary flavors at Nationals Park," said Valerie Camillo,...

Right-hander John Simms has impressed in his first month in the Arizona Fall League. Simms came into his first game after the starter and a reliever had completed four innings. Salt River trailed 4-3 when he arrived, but the game was tied 5-5 when he departed. He earned the win after pitching three innings and allowing just one run in a 9-7 Rafters comeback victory. After that initial appearance, Simms (3-0) has been tremendously consistent, starting four straight games, tossing 18 innings and...