If you look strictly at the moves that the Nationals have made so far this offseason, it might seem like members of the organization's front office have been kicking back and enjoying some down time over the last few months. We all know that's far from the truth, but in terms of actual additions to the organization, it's been almost entirely minor league deals and trades to improve the club for future seasons. Outside of re-signing a few minor leaguers who were already in the Nats system...

Since 2008, the Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays have combined to win three American League East titles while the Yankees and Red Sox have combined to win four. That is not bad for two franchises that spent so many seasons losing and cannot spend at the same level as those teams. Tampa Bay, and then Baltimore, took on and at times passed the big boys on their way to the top of the division. Can't imagine many O's fans that didn't enjoy that and/or preferred that Tampa Bay won if the Orioles...

SARASOTA, Fla. - As the Orioles' minicamp begins today, it seems like an appropriate time to also talk about spring training. It's only a month away and the fields at the Ed Smith Stadium complex are in superb condition. The Orioles will bring at least six catchers to spring training. They would like to keep Ryan Lavarnway as a non-roster invitee if he clears waivers. Inviting Brian Ward also is a possibility. Ward is a defensive specialist who intrigues the Orioles despite his offensive...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Knuckleballer Eddie Gamboa has been added to the list of Orioles attending this week's minicamp at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. The Orioles extended the invitation and were waiting to hear back from him. Gamboa signed a major league deal on Dec. 3, putting him back on the 40-man roster. The Orioles removed him last year at the non-tender deadline and re-signed him to a minor league deal, and he drew interest from other teams this winter due to his success pitching in...

The second base option most frequently linked to the Nationals this offseason is heading elsewhere, as Ben Zobrist got shipped from the Rays to the Athletics yesterday in a deal that also sent shortstop Yunel Escobar to Oakland. How often do you see a team trade away both of its starting middle infielders in one deal? I can't remember such a case, at least off the top of my head. The Rays saved themselves a good bit of money with this deal, and also got a good bit younger. They were thought to...

Baseball America released its list of the top 10 Orioles prospects at the end of October. Four players on that top 10 are already on the Orioles' 40-man roster and probably six or more potentially could play for the Orioles this season. Today, let's take a look at what we might see from this group come April. 1) Dylan Bundy, RHP: Bundy is likely to begin the season in Double-A Bowie's rotation. Believe it or not, Bundy has pitched just 16 2/3 innings in his life so far at that level. But...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Ravens are done playing and more attention now falls upon the Orioles. No more distractions unless you're really into college hoops. The Orioles won't announce their minor league staffs until they hire a field coach at Single-A Frederick. If it's keeping you awake nights, we need to talk. Nothing new to report on Colby Rasmus. If he wants to sign with the Orioles so badly and use a one-year deal as a platform, what exactly is preventing the sides from reaching an...

Anyone who followed the Nationals closely last season remembers that pretty much from Day One of spring training, manager Matt Williams said he was going to make sure that his team played an aggressive brand of ball, putting pressure on opponents with their baserunning style. That is indeed how things played out for the 2014 Nats. I came across a tweet yesterday from John Dewan, who is the author of the Fielding Bible. Dewan passed along a link that ranked the best baserunning teams in 2014,...

Former Nationals minor league first baseman Justin Bloxom has traded in his cleats and glove for an opportunity to find the top prospects in the country and sign them to the Nats. Bloxom has been hired by the Nationals to be their amateur scout for the Kentucky and Tennessee regions. The 26-year-old Bloxom played six seasons in the Nationals system, but realized the final couple of years that he would need to transition into a new line of work. As he searched for a new position, he knew that he...

SARASOTA, Fla. - My rental car is a maroon Camaro. My "suite" is so small, there's no floor or closet space for my suitcase and I need to step out of the room to change my mind. You take the good with the bad at Orioles minicamp. My interest level has increased with the news that Chris Tillman and Tommy Hunter are in Sarasota. Tillman was expected to meet with pitching coach Dave Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti later this week in California. What does it say about Tillman and Hunter,...