The Orioles began the process of clearing room on their 40-man roster yesterday by outrighting pitcher Steve Johnson to Triple-A Norfolk. Johnson will become a free agent after the World Series and must decide whether to sign a minor league deal or change organizations. Don't jump to the conclusion that the Orioles are about to make a bold move to fill the spot. This is routine roster maintenance in the offseason. The Orioles need to protect some minor leaguers in the Rule 5 draft,...

When Baseball America and other publications that rank minor league prospects comes out with a new list of organizational rankings, the Orioles are likely to take a bit of a fall. These rankings take a look at the minor league systems around baseball and rate the current overall talent. ESPN rated the O's No. 10 before last season while Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus rated the O's No. 12. But the Orioles will likely fall into the 15-20 ranking, possibly a bit lower, when new...

The Nationals announced a few changes to their front office today, including the expansion of their baseball research and development department. Adam Cromie, the Nats' director of baseball operations, will keep that title but has also been promoted, getting the title of assistant general manager. Sam Mondry-Cohen was promoted to director of baseball research and development after previously serving as the Nats' manager of baseball analytics. Michael Debartolo, previously the Nats'...

Steve Johnson said he's going to speak with his agent and weigh his options before deciding whether to re-sign with the Orioles, who outrighted him today to Triple-A Norfolk after he cleared waivers. Johnson can refuse the assignment because he's been outrighted previously, but it's a moot point. He's eligible for free agency after the World Series due to his service time. "Either way, it doesn't matter," said Johnson, who is recovering from surgery last month to shave down a bone spur...

The Orioles have outrighted pitcher Steve Johnson to Triple-A Norfolk, removing him from the 40-man roster. Johnson, 26, was 0-3 with a 6.23 ERA in 17 starts between Norfolk (13 starts), short-season Single-A Aberdeen (three) and the Gulf Coast Orioles (one). He went on the disabled list with inflammation in his right shoulder and underwent surgery on Sept. 24 to shave down a bone spur behind the shoulder. The spur affected his control, as he averaged 7.2 walks per nine innings in the...

The Orioles today announced that they have outrighted right-hander Steve Johnson to Triple-A Norfolk. Johnson, 26, was 0-3 with a 6.23 ERA (47.2IP, 33ER) in 17 starts between Norfolk (13 starts), Aberdeen (three starts), and the Gulf Coast Orioles (one start). Johnson had surgery to remove a bone spur in his right shoulder on September 24. The Orioles now have 39 players on their 40-man major league roster.

The World Series shifts to San Francisco this weekend, presenting a new set of questions for the Giants and the Royals, who are tied 1-1 going into Game 3 at quirky AT&T Park. Start with the bullpens. The Giants bullpen is thin. Rookie Hunter Strickland, who threw seven innings during the regular season after spending 2014 in the minors, is getting hit and had trouble controlling his emotions in Game 2. Jean Machi is not pitching well and Tim Lincecum left Game 2 with a cranky back that...

Bryan Minniti has found a new home, as the Diamondbacks have announced that the former Nationals front office man has joined Arizona's organization as an assistant general manager. Minniti spent the last five years with the Nats as an assistant GM under Mike Rizzo, before announcing that he was leaving the organization just a few days after the Nats were knocked out of the postseason. Minniti was a well-liked member of the Nats' front office, and assisted with everything in the baseball...

Andrew Miller picked a good time to have the best year of his life. He pitched great for two teams during the 2014 season and now he can sit back and watch teams fight over him during free agency. He can go to the highest bidder and the bidding should go high for this reliever who combines talent, size, smarts and a devastating slider to produce impressive statistics. Fans seem convinced that the Orioles made a shrewd trade when they gave their No. 3 prospect, 21-year-old left-hander Eduardo...

I was going to start this entry by giving my Gold Glove predictions, but I honestly have no idea whether the Orioles will take home any hardware. I'm constantly surprised by the results. Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain wasn't nominated and I'm pretty sure he catches every ball hit in every ballpark. Maybe he's being punished for moving to right. It's a tribute to his defensive skills, but perhaps it hurt his chances in the balloting. I don't know. All three Orioles - J.J. Hardy, Adam...