The Nationals have signed second baseman Dan Uggla to a minor league deal, the team announced, reuniting the veteran infielder with Mike Rizzo, who as the Diamondbacks' scouting director drafted Uggla in 2001. Uggla's minor league deal includes an invitation to big league spring training, where he will likely compete for the Nats' starting second base job. Uggla has big power potential, and displayed it from 2007-2011, when he hit more than 30 home runs five years in a row. Since then,...

Well, hello again, everyone. I'm back after a nice two-week trip out of the country, and while I missed out on much of the holiday season while I was away, I hope all of you enjoyed some quality time with your families and got some good food in ya. If you celebrate Christmas, I hope yesterday was merry and joyous. If you don't, I hope you enjoyed your Chinese food and a movie. What did I miss on the Nationals front while I was away? Well, not a ton, although the Nats did make one...

Is anyone surprised that some of baseball's biggest spenders this winter reside in the American League East? Is anyone surprised that list of big spenders does not include the Orioles? While it irks some of you, it should not be a big surprise. The Matt Kemp and Justin Upton rumors were nice and they were interesting, but they were never close to happening. The Red Sox are spending again, the Blue Jays are active again and the Yankees are still the Yankees and can flash a big checkbook...

The Orioles have proceeded through winters past with one or two catchers on their 40-man roster. After claiming Ryan Lavarnway off waivers this week, the club seems to be collecting them like ornaments. Lavarnway is the fifth catcher added to the 40-man, leaving more doubts about whether Steve Clevenger has a future in the organization. Matt Wieters might not be ready on opening day, but Clevenger is being squeezed by Lavarnway and Caleb Joseph. Prospect Michael Ohlman also is on the 40-man...

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone around Birdland. Hope this is your best Christmas ever. Thanks again to the loyal readers here at MASNsports.com. I am thankful 365 days a year that you come here and read this blog. What a great community of Orioles fans and and I hope today and every day is special for you. With yesterday's news that the Orioles have agreed to a new contract with Delmon Young, let's take one moment for a quick baseball thought today. Let's take a look at a...

As I continue to focus on the depth of the Nationals minor league system, we turn our attention to Baseball America's rundown of the club's top talent. We already listed the top 12 Nationals prospects according to the publication. But what is interesting is to look at how Baseball America perceives the Nationals' talent from 11 to 30. Editor-in-chief John Manuel says two things jump out to him when he looks at the rest of the list of Nats prospects: catchers and frontline impact...

I want to start out by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas or Happy Holiday or whatever works for you on this day. Enjoy it with family and friends. Any list of Orioles pitching prospects always includes Dylan Bundy in the top spot. Ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow didn't change the order. The strained right latissimus dorsi that ended his 2014 season is a distant memory after only four months. Teams continue to inquire about his availability - Bundy and Kevin Gausman come...

In a previous life, I was a store Santa. For six years, beginning in college and lasting into my first newspaper job, I donned the red suit and white beard (and used professional makeup to whiten my eyebrows, mustache and facial hair), first for Montgomery Ward and later as a jolly ol' elf for hire at office functions, private parties and even delivered poinsettias for a florist friend. To this day, the Santa gig remains one of my all-time favorite jobs, especially when I could surprise...

The Orioles can cross another item off their winter shopping list, having reached agreement with free agent outfielder Delmon Young on a one-year contract. The deal is pending a physical, which will be completed after the New Year, according to a source. He's guaranteed $2.25 million and can reach $3 million in incentives. Young, 29, was seeking a multi-year deal after batting .302/.337/.442 with 11 doubles, seven home runs and 30 RBIs in 83 games. His first preference was to re-sign with the...

I'm a day late for the big Festivus celebration - now I'm stuck with that pole I ordered from Amazon.com - but it's always an appropriate time for the airing of the grievances. I'll start with how I keep answering the same questions over and over as if I'm typing in invisible print. (It's not really a major gripe for me, but I'm tying together two themes here, so please ride it out.) Folks seem to enjoy a good holiday movie sequel, though my screenplay for "It's A Wonderful Life II"...