The Mets are heading to the World Series, a big accomplishment considering they were two games over .500 in the National League East on July 30. But, they reinvented their roster and finished 31-11 to buzz by the favored Nationals to win the division without drama. The Mets continued to knock off favorites in the postseason. They beat Zack Greinke, Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers in the NL Division Series and swept the red-hot Cubs in the NL Championship Series. The Mets have been off since...

The Kansas City Royals, a team that had nine consecutive losing seasons (including four seasons of at least 100 losses) from 2004 to 2012, are making a repeat visit to the World Series. The Royals are the first team to win consecutive American League pennants since Texas in 2010-2011, but the Rangers lost both World Series. Toronto won back-to-back World Series titles in 1992-1993. Not long ago, the Royals were a young and talented team going nowhere. Their turnaround started in the second half...

If the Orioles aren't willing to enter a bidding war for first baseman Chris Davis, they'll need to figure out whether his replacement is inside the organization, or if they need to come up with a cheaper alternative from another team or the free agent market. Where does Christian Walker fit into this puzzle? My guess is Walker begins the 2016 season at Triple-A Norfolk, but he's going to fight for a roster spot in spring training. There's been lots of attention directed toward Double-A...

While it seems a pretty safe bet that Chris Davis is going to cash in big with some team this winter and that Wei-Yin Chen may be in line for a three- or four-year deal (and maybe one longer than that), catcher Matt Wieters' future is harder to predict. It starts with the Orioles and their decision whether or not to make him the qualifying offer. If they make the offer, Wieters could sign it and he would then earn $15.8 million to play the 2016 season as an Oriole. If he declines the...

If you were a reader here last winter, you probably are familiar with what this is all about. In this edition of "10 Questions for O's Fans," I ask and seek your answers. Provide a short or long answer. Answer just one or two question or all 10. Please number your answers as that makes it a little easier to follow along. Now our first offseason edition of "10 Questions": 1) Dylan Bundy is out of minor league options starting next season. How many innings will he pitch for the 2016...

Right-hander John Simms had a very good start on Friday as Salt River defeated Mesa 5-1 in Arizona Fall League play. Simms went four innings, allowing only three hits and one run. He struck out four and walked one, surrendering just a solo homer to catcher Stephen McGee. Simms is now 2-0 and has a 2.57 ERA in two games and seven innings for Salt River. The 23-year-old out of Rice was an 11th-round selection by the Nationals in 2013. Salt River won its second straight over Mesa 5-4 on...

While the Orioles have all seven coaches under contract for the 2016 season, they're still in the early stages of deciding on a new assistant hitting coach. Names are being collected from inside and outside the organization, but the process is delayed while the Royals and Mets play in the World Series. Potential candidates may want to interview for jobs in other organizations. The Rangers parted ways with hitting coach Dave Magadan, and Orioles minor league hitting coordinator Jeff Manto is...

The Nationals began interviewing candidates for their managerial opening days after general manager Mike Rizzo relieved Matt Williams of his duties on Oct. 5. Since then, seven different candidates are known to have met with Rizzo and members of the Nationals brass about leading a roster believed to still be a World Series contender in 2016. Here is a look at each candidate and their chances of securing the Nationals job: 1. Dusty Baker, veteran manager: The former three-time National League...

After firing first-time manager Matt Williams following numerous late-inning strategic mistakes, it may have caused some head scratching when Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo included the likes of Diamondbacks third base coach Andy Green and Triple-A skipper Phil Nevin in the ongoing managerial search. Green and Nevin, along with other Rizzo interviewees Giants bench coach Ron Wotus and Dodgers bench coach Tim Wallach, don't have any background managing at the major league level,...

While the Nationals continue their search for a new manager, I'll point out that Cal Ripken Jr. still hasn't been contacted about interviewing for the job and he isn't sitting by the phone waiting for a call. The Nats seem to bring in a new candidate every day, but I've heard that Ripken doesn't expect to join them. If his name is linked to the team, it's nothing more than speculation by fans and media, or maybe just wishful thinking. Nothing against a good rumor, but facts do tend to get...