One day after a report that the Toronto Blue Jays no longer sought to negotiate a deal for Orioles executive Dan Duquette, the team announced tonight that Paul Beeston has signed a new contract to continue as its president and CEO. Beeston has signed a deal that will run through the 2015 season and he will retire at the end of the season, according to a press release from the team. Does this mean the end of Toronto's pursuit of Duquette? It appears it does, at least for now, although the...

The Orioles today announced that they have agreed to terms with infielder Ryan Flaherty and right-hander Bud Norris on one-year contracts, thus avoiding arbitration. Flaherty, 28, hit .221/.288/.356 with seven home runs and a career-high 32 RBI in 312 plate appearances in 2014. In three seasons with the Orioles, Flaherty is a career .221/.283/.369 hitter with 23 home runs and 78 RBI in 264 games. Norris, 29, was 15-8 with a 3.65 ERA (165.1IP, 67ER) in 28 starts for the Orioles in 2014. In 158...

It seems that new Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred caught some people a bit off-guard with a comment he made during his first day on the job Sunday. He mentioned the possibility of eliminating defensive shifts. In his blog yesterday, ESPN's Buster Olney posted this video where Manfred made these comments. He also posted this transcript of that part of Manfred's interview with ESPN's Karl Ravech: Ravech: "If you had a broad brush, and the goal was to be as radical as you can be...

The Orioles reached agreement with pitcher Bud Norris on a deal for 2015, leaving four arbitration-eligible players without contracts for the upcoming season. Norris will make a guaranteed $8.8 million this year. He submitted $10.25 million on the day that sides exchanged salary figures, and the Orioles countered at $7.5 million. The deal includes a possible $25,000 for reaching 180 innings and another $25,000 for reaching 200 innings. Norris could receive $50,000 for making the All-Star...

The Orioles found a left-handed hitting outfielder today, signing former first-round pick Chris Parmelee to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. The club also announced that it signed right-hander Dane De La Rosa to a minor league deal, and it confirmed the Steve Johnson signing that was reported a few days ago. They also receive invitations to spring training. Parmelee has been on the Orioles' radar for more than a month. He declined an outright assignment to...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter compared the Blue Jays' interest in executive vice president Dan Duquette to teams pursuing free agents on the roster during his call-in segment this morning on 105.7 The Fan. Showalter didn't go into any detail regarding the Blue Jays' attempts to make Duquette their president and CEO. A report out of Toronto yesterday stated that negotiations have ended and Toronto will move in another direction. I've been told that the Orioles aren't aware of the Blue...

WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Top Nationals pitching prospect Lucas Giolito attended the Potomac Nationals Hot Stove Banquet at the Old Hickory Golf Club, accepting the top player award on behalf of P-Nats infielder Tony Renda, who was out of town due to his engagement party. Giolito said last season was the perfect learning experience at low Single-A Hagerstown, and he is very likely to start this season with the P-Nats less than a half-mile away at Pfitzner Stadium. "Getting that first year out of the...

Seemingly every year, there's at least one non-roster invitee who makes a major impression in spring training, and ends up surprising people and cracking the opening day roster. Sometimes, it's a veteran who had been signed to a minor league deal with an invitation to big league spring training. Guys like Chad Tracy, who are looking to find their way back into the fold in the majors after an injury, time in Triple-A or a year playing abroad. Other times, it's an under-the-radar minor...

Ernie Banks, the Hall of Fame shortstop who played his entire 19-year career with the Chicago Cubs, was known for his 512 home runs, two National League MVPs and a never-ending sunny disposition on life, even though he never came close to playing in a World Series. Banks, 83, who died Friday night, also had a curiosity that was as legendary as Wrigley Field. He loved asking people questions because he said he enjoyed learning. And he understood that the magic of baseball was in the thrill of...

Another lazy and uneventful Sunday? Not this one. The Orioles settled on a 2015 contract with infielder Ryan Flaherty and the Blue Jays may have decided again that they were done negotiating to acquire executive vice president Dan Duquette. I'll pause to let you catch your breath. The Orioles have settled with six of their 11 arbitration-eligible players. In case you missed it last night, here are the remaining five and the figures that were exchanged: * Alejandro De Aza submitted $5.65...