Another minicamp is in the books and the idea of organizing it seems more brilliant every year. Pitching coach Dave Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti get to check out another collection of arms. New players get acclimated to the coaches and the facility, giving them a head start on spring training next month. The Orioles can check on players coming off injuries and surgeries. Everyone in the organization eases back into baseball mode after shutting off that part of their brains and...

Last night's trade that sent Tyler Clippard to the Athletics in exchange for Yunel Escobar probably was tough for a lot of people in the D.C. area to take. Clippard was beloved by many fans for his walk-out music, his pleasant nature and his consistency. He was highly regarded by those in the organization because of how genuine and stand-up he was, and his willingness to take the ball every single day if need be. He was greatly appreciated by reporters because of his honesty, patience and...

For now, Dan Duquette is the executive vice president of baseball operations for the Orioles and managing partner Peter G. Angelos told MASNSports.com's Roch Kubatko last night that he will continue to be. Duquette is under contract through 2018 and Angelos denied reports that the Orioles and Blue Jays have begun negotiating a compensation package that would allow him to leave to become president/CEO of the Blue Jays. This is the story that doesn't seem to go away. Duquette did not put an...

The Washington Nationals acquired infielder Yunel Escobar from the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday in exchange for right-handed reliever Tyler Clippard. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Escobar, an eight-year Major League veteran, joins the Nationals after stops in Atlanta (2007-10), Toronto (2010-12) and Tampa Bay (2012-14). He was traded to the A's just four days ago (Jan. 10), along with infielder/outfielder Ben Zobrist, in exchange for...

The Nationals and Athletics have agreed to yet another trade. And this one involves more than just prospects or players that can fill out the back end of a roster. The Nats have acquired shortstop Yunel Escobar, and will send popular reliever Tyler Clippard to Oakland in exchange for the 32-year-old infielder. CBSsports.com first reported the Nats had acquired Escboar, and MLB.com first reported Clippard was heading to Oakland. This is now the ninth trade completed between the Nats and A's...

TAMPA - The Winter Meetings last month in San Diego began with reports that the Blue Jays wanted to hire Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette as their president/CEO. The minicamp this week in Sarasota concluded today with reports that the Jays were nearing a deal to acquire Duquette. This story needs to reach its conclusion. The Orioles and Jays have discussed compensation, as FOXSports.com confirmed this afternooon. You can be certain that the Orioles have studied Toronto's farm...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Ed Smith Stadium complex looks deserted now, with Orioles players and coaches heading to the airport after the three-day minicamp. Third baseman Manny Machado sat at his locker as manager Buck Showalter concluded his final media session. Machado is returning to Miami to continue his workouts "Manny looked good today," Showalter said. "Glad he came over. Didn't have to. Appreciated him making the trek. "Richie (Bancells) followed him around. He looked good. He's got...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles third baseman Manny Machado said he's been doing full baseball activities for a couple of weeks, with the exception of moving laterally to field ground balls, and today's minicamp provided a demonstration. Machado hit in the indoor cage and took batting practice outside, shagged fly balls and did agility drills with head athletic trainer Richie Bancells, sprinting up the first base line and simulating going from home plate to second on a double. The surgically...

Vouchers for autograph sessions at the Orioles' 2015 FanFest will go on sale Saturday, January 17, at 10:00 a.m. The list of autograph session times and participants will be posted online for preview at www.orioles.com/fanfest by 9:00 p.m. on Friday, January 16. Orioles FanFest will be held on Saturday, January 31 at the Baltimore Convention Center from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with early entry for Orioles Season Plan Members to begin at 10:00 a.m. At this year's FanFest, the Orioles will...

The Nationals continue their connection to Las Vegas with the selection of right-hander Erick Fedde in last June's draft. Bryce Harper (hometown) and Matt Williams (UNLV) have obvious connections to the entertainment capital of the world. (More on baseball and Las Vegas later). Fedde is a 21-year-old, 6-foot-4, 180-lb. starting pitcher out of the UNLV. He went 8-2 with a 1.76 ERA in 11 starts. He had two shutouts and 82 strikeouts in 76 2/3 innings. He had Tommy John surgery in June. Fedde has...