It's become the most popular question of the week following news that the Orioles reached agreement with left-hander Wesley Wright on a one-year deal worth $1.7 million. Well, it may slot second behind "Who?" As I've written, Wright is a southpaw reliever who's 10-18 with a 4.17 ERA in seven major league seasons, the first 5 1/2 with the Astros. He was 0-3 with a 3.17 ERA in 58 games this season with the Cubs, who non-tendered him last month. Wright, who turns 30 next month, has held...

That memory of Steven Souza Jr.'s diving catch in left-center to seal Jordan Zimmermann's no-hitter on the last day of the regular season may have to last you a while. It appears Souza is on his way out of D.C. in a mutliple-player, three-team trade that also involves the Padres and Rays. Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com is reporting that a framework is in place that would send Souza and minor league left-hander Travis Ott to the Rays, with the Nationals receiving two prospects - shortstop Trea...

In case you missed it in the comments section, left-hander Wesley Wright is scheduled to take his physical Thursday morning in Baltimore. His signing could be announced later that day or Friday, depending how quickly the results come back. Major League Baseball issued the following statement this afternoon regarding President Obama's announcement that the United States will restore full diplomatic relations with Cuba and open an embassy in Havana for the first time in more than a...

Not so long ago, general managers putting together their rosters didn't fret much over catchers. You had your starter, who hopefully could hit a little and was at least passable defensively. And you had a backup, whose skill set was the opposite of your starter. If the starting backstop was a good defender, you looked for a backup with a decent bat; if your starting catcher was better with the stick than the glove, you looked for a good catch-and-throw guy who might function as a late-inning...

The Orioles' deal with left-hander Wesley Wright becomes official once he passes his physical. An announcement could come at any time. The 40-man roster will be full once Wright signs, but the Orioles can make room later for another player. I've heard rumblings that Wright's deal is worth $1.7 million. He earned $1.425 million this season. Wright is on Twitter at @realweswright. Two of the three players signed to minor league deals yesterday, pitcher Chaz Roe and outfielder Matt Tuiasosopo,...

In need of a left-handed reliever as part of their winter shopping list, the Orioles have reached agreement with Wesley Wright on a one-year deal, according to multiple sources. Wright, who turns 30 next month, is 10-18 with a 4.17 ERA in seven major league seasons, the first 5 1/2 with the Astros. He was 0-3 with a 3.17 ERA in 58 games this season with the Cubs, who non-tendered him last month. Wright can become a free agent following the 2015 season. Wright, a seventh-round pick of the...

The offseason for Steve Pearce and Brad Brach included a visit today to Dave & Buster's at the Arundel Mills Mall, where they signed autographs and served lunch to students from Callaway Elementary School in Baltimore. Pearce isn't accustomed to showing up at spring training with a guaranteed spot on the 25-man roster, but he's a candidate to start in right field and also could play left field and first base, as well as serve as the designated hitter. Just not at the same time. "I'm...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter recently played golf with Chris Davis in Texas, and the first baseman revealed that he's received a therapeutic use exemption for Adderall for the 2015 season. Major League Baseball suspended Davis for 25 games on Sept. 12 following a second failed test for the drug. Davis apparently had the exception with the Rangers, but was denied with the Orioles. "That's just what he told me," Showalter said this morning at the 36th annual OriolesREACH Holiday Party for...

This shapes up to be a big season for right-hander A.J. Cole, who continues to excel in the Nationals minor league system and climb the ladder with outstanding pitching. Cole is the No. 2 Nationals prospect, according to Baseball Prospectus. It's amazing to consider he is at that slot with the Nationals when it looked just a few seasons back like he would continue his career with the Oakland A's after being a key piece in the Gio Gonzalez deal. No. 2: right-hander A.J. Cole Chris Mellen,...

Since he was named Nationals manager on Oct. 31, 2013, the recently completed Winter Meetings marked a milestone in Matt Williams' tenure at the helm: He's been through a full annual cycle of life as a major league skipper. It's not as easy as writing down names on a lineup card every day during the season or fulfilling the role of engaging tour guide, as Williams did Friday afternoon at Nationals Park for some lucky MASN "Word of the Day" winners. Those are the kind of activities the fans...