Today, I will be taking a look at some stats and information, and ending this blog with a question. Some of the stats are courtesy of the Orioles public relations staff, some from FanGraphs.com and some from the Melewski research bureau. * Since 2012, the Orioles lead the majors with 854 home runs. That is 62 homers ahead of the next closest team, the Toronto Blue Jays, at 792. * Manny Machado is the active major league leader in consecutive games played at 162. According to STATS, LLC., Kole...

The Orioles have reached an agreement with first base coach Wayne Kirby on a contract for 2016, according to a source. I've received confirmation on five of the coaches. Still no word on pitching coach Dave Wallace. The Orioles were concerned that bullpen coach Dom Chiti might leave if he received a chance to become pitching coach in another organization, but he signed a new contract for 2016. I'm sure it won't quiet all the skeptics, but I'd like to state that Vance Worley has no shot at...

The Orioles have claimed right-hander Vance Worley off waivers from the Pirates and designated reliever Jorge Rondon for assignment to create room on the 40-man roster. Worley, 28, went 4-6 with a 4.02 ERA in 23 games, including eight starts, with the Pirates in 2015. He posted a 2.83 ERA, allowing nine earned runs in 28 2/3 innings, and held opponents to a .236 average in his 15 relief appearances. In 104 career games, including 81 starts, Worley has gone 31-28 with a 3.79 ERA in 508 2/3...

After scoring just three runs in losing the first two games of the American League Championship Series, the Toronto Blue Jays bats broke out last night. Because of that, the Blue Jays can even the ALCS at 2-2 today with a victory against Kansas City. Toronto won 11-8 last night as Ryan Goins, Troy Tulowitzki and Josh Donaldson homered. Toronto had 13 hits combined in the first two games and recorded 11 Monday night. The Blue Jays went 5-for-11 with runners in scoring position after going...

Looks like the cost of the spring training complex the Nationals will share with the Astros has gone a little higher than expected. The teams have told Palm Beach County that the budget for the shared facility that is due to open in West Palm Beach for the 2017 Grapefruit League campaign has risen to at least $144 million from the $135 million that was approved in August. Any increase over the original $135 million budgeted for the project will be split between the Nationals and Astros, per an...

The Orioles today announced their 2016 Grapefruit League schedule, which opens Tuesday, March 1, with an away game in Lake Buena Vista, FL against the Atlanta Braves. The Orioles will open their home schedule the following day, Wednesday, March 2, with a 1:05 p.m. game against the Braves at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. The Grapefruit League season will conclude with the club's home-finale on Thursday, March 31, against the Braves. The 2016 season marks the seventh consecutive Spring Training...

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo will interview Ron Gardenhire today in his search for the team's new skipper, according to a report from MLB.com. Gardenhire led the Twins to six American League Central titles during his 13 years as manager. He compiled a 1,068-1,039 record over his tenure, but was dismissed in 2014 following four straight seasons of 90-plus losses. Gardenhire was drafted by the Mets in 1979 and played parts of five seasons in New York between 1981-1985 before injuries cut...

There is some logic behind the thinking that Zach Britton should return to the Orioles rotation. The reasoning goes that the Orioles may need a left-hander in the rotation if Wei-Yin Chen leaves via free agency. And a rotation that ranked next to last in ERA in the American League last year could use a boost and infusion of a talent like Britton. But should the Orioles rob Peter to pay Paul, as Buck Showalter might say? Should they remove one of the AL's best closers from that role? Could...

If you took a poll on the chances of the Orioles re-signing their six pending free agents, left-hander Wei-Yin Chen would set up permanent residence at the bottom of the list. I put him there. Others in the media have put him there. At least a few members of the organization have put him there. The reasons range from the price tag agent Scott Boras will attach to him, to the perception that the Orioles' decision to option Chen to Single-A Frederick for one start caused irreparable damage to...

The Orioles will play their first spring training game next year where they ended their 2014 Grapefruit League schedule. The Orioles will travel to Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on March 1 to play the Braves in a home-and-home series, with Atlanta making the trip to Sarasota the following day. The schedule includes five road games within the first seven, including split-squad games in Fort Myers against the Twins and at home against the Rays. Six of the last eight games will be held at Ed Smith...