Orioles pitchers and catchers aren't due to report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota for another two months. The first game won't be played until April 6 at Tropicana Field. Matt Wieters has no idea whether he's going to be in the lineup, only that it remains his primary goal. Wieters started a light throwing program immediately after Thanksgiving and has stayed with it, heading outdoors every other day to play catch with physical therapist Lloyd Van Pamelen in Atlanta. The...

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo just finished a conference call with the local media to make official what we've known for the past couple of days: The Nationals have dealt outfielder Steven Souza Jr. and minor league left-hander Travis Ott to the Padres for right-handed pitching prospect Joe Ross and a player to be named. Souza and Ott are then going from the Padres to the Rays as part of the deal that will bring 2013 American League Rookie of the Year Wil Myers to San Diego. Rizzo's...

There's a tendency for fans to judge every trade made on its face value in the moments immediately after the deal is consummated and announced. This can be tricky, since raw emotion, rather than careful consideration, takes over. It's often better - and more useful - to judge a trade in three ways: immediate impact, short-term results and long-term gains or losses. Yes, it's natural to have an opinion once a deal is struck. But how a deal plays out for the coming season, even a few seasons...

The Washington Nationals acquired right-handed pitcher Joe Ross and a player to be named from the San Diego Padres in exchange for outfielder Steven Souza Jr. and minor league left-handed pitcher Travis Ott on Friday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The deal was part of a three-team trade that also included the Tampa Bay Rays, who will receive Souza Jr. and Ott. Ross, 21, went 10-6 with a 3.92 ERA in 23 games (22 starts) between...

Left-hander Wesley Wright has passed his physical and signed his one-year contract with the Orioles after agreeing to terms earlier this week. Wright will receive $1.7 million, according to a source. The Orioles have a full 40-man roster and will need to remove someone if they're going to sign or trade for an outfielder, most bullpen help, a backup catcher. You name it. In case you haven't memorized it, Wright is 10-18 with a 4.17 ERA in seven major league seasons, the first 5 1/2 with the...

The Orioles today announced that they have signed free agent left-hander Wesley Wright to a one-year contract. Wright, 29, posted a 3.17 ERA (48.1IP, 17ER) in 58 games for the Cubs in 2014, his third straight season making 55 or more appearances. He held left-handed hitters to a .594 OPS, not allowing an extra-base hit to a lefty in 85 plate appearances. Wright also allowed a career-low 0.4...

Earlier this week, the Orioles failed to convince Charlie Manuel to accept the job of hitting coach despite numerous attempts to lure him to Baltimore. They pretty much knew by Tuesday morning that it wasn't going to happen. However, they have received permission to interview Rangers minor league hitting coordinator Scott Coolbaugh, according to an industry source. The Orioles were under the impression at the Winter Meetings that the Rangers denied permission, but Coolbaugh is expected to...

Most of baseball thinks Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo made another lopsided deal Wednesday, when he agreed to send outfielder Steven Souza Jr. to the Rays, Washington's contribution to a three-team, 11-player blockbuster that shipped 2013 American League Rookie of the Year Wil Meyers from Tampa Bay to the Padres. While I'm happy to recap the swap, you might want to go grab a snack and a soda. It'll take a couple of minutes to process everything. A flow chart may work well, too. OK,...

The agent for Delmon Young indicated today that the veteran outfielder isn't close to making a decision on where to sign, but he said the Orioles "absolutely" remain in play. "Everything has been very positive," said Joel Wolfe of Wasserman Media Group, who met with the Orioles during the Winter Meetings in San Diego. "They value Delmon and realize what he brings to the table, and hopefully it's just a matter of getting it right." Wolfe wouldn't discuss specifics of the negotiations,...

Not long ago, I wrote how the 2015 season is extremely important for the professional future of Cuban outfielder Henry Urrutia. He turns 28 in February, was limited to 51 games at Triple-A Norfolk last year due to a sports hernia that required surgery, and the Orioles may hold open tryouts in the outfield if they can't sign or trade for anyone. Urrutia's work ethic isn't an issue, as I was reminded during a text exchange Wednesday night that resumed yesterday morning. He's hitting the...