The Nationals have released catcher Jhonatan Solano, according to the team's transactions page, clearing another spot on the team's 40-man roster. Solano appeared in 36 big league games between the 2012 and 2013 seasons, and impressed in his first taste of major league action, hitting .314/.351/.571 in 37 plate appearances in 2012. He hit two homers and drove in six when helping to fill in for an injured Wilson Ramos that year. But Solano hit just .214 at Triple-A Syracuse in 2013, and had a...

During the 2014 season, Andrew Miller pitched better than David Robertson. Miller has the stats to prove it. He had a better ERA, more strikeouts per nine innings, fewer walks per nine innings, a better WHIP and beat Robertson in other statistical categories as well. So will Robertson get a better contract via free agency than Miller? Should he? Ken Rosenthal discussed that question on MLB Network's "Hot Stove" morning show Tuesday. "The answer might not be as obvious as you would think,"...

Six starters for five spots in the rotation. The math still hasn't changed, no matter how often I check the figures. No matter how often I use the calculator on my iPhone. No matter how often I remove my shoes and count on my own. The Orioles are always in the market for pitching, but they most certainly will listen to offers for their starters. Of course, that includes Kevin Gausman. No one is untouchable. But they'd have to be blown away by a proposal. It would have to be so obscene, it...

The Orioles are keeping pitcher Oliver Drake in the organization, signing him today to a major league contract. Drake, who has options remaining, became a minor league free agent following the season and drew enough interest that the Orioles inked him to a major league deal. He's added to the 40-man roster for the second time in his professional career. Drake, chosen in the 43rd round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft out of the Naval Academy, went 2-4 with a 3.08 ERA and an Eastern...

The Orioles today announced that they have signed right-hander Oliver Drake to a major league contract. Drake, 27, posted a 3.08 ERA (52.2IP, 18ER), 31 saves, and 71 strikeouts in 50 appearances for Double-A Bowie in 2014. His 12.1 strikeouts per 9.0 innings were the best single-season mark in his seven-year minor league career and he held hitters to a .214/.278/.297 line in 210 plate appearances. Drake has gone 32-28 with a 3.53 ERA (545.0IP, 214ER) and 40 saves in 160 minor league games (73...

If the floor seems to be vibrating beneath your feet, it's just reliever Andrew Miller jumping up and down. The guy is 6-foot-7. The tremors are going to travel. The White Sox announced today that they signed left-handed reliever Zach Duke to a three-year, $15 million contract. Duke, 31, will be paid $4.5 million in 2015, $5 million in 2016 and $5.5 million in 2017, according to the team's press release. By the way, kudos to the White Sox for announcing the terms of the contract and not...

There are days during the winter months when nothing really happens in the baseball world. There are, in fact, many such days. Rumors might spread, various free agent names might be kicked around and potential trades might be tossed out there, allowing fans and media members to speculate about what might go down. But often, days at a time go by without any real news breaking. Yesterday was not one of those days. The Blue Jays swooped in to sign catcher Russell Martin to a monster five-year, $82...

This is the most jaw-dropping story of the offseason: After months of speculation that the Miami Marlins would trade Giancarlo Stanton, the team wound up signing him to the richest contract in sports history, $325 million for 13 years. They will announce the deal Wednesday. The Marlins are playing in a new ballpark and need a signing like this to prove their relevance. They know more about splitting up a team than holding it together. At least, that's the Marlins' reputation. But is that a...

The temperature soared on baseball's hot stove yesterday with news that the Marlins signed Giancarlo Stanton to a 13-year extension worth $325 million, the largest contract in the history of sports, the Blue Jays signed free agent catcher Russell Martin and the Braves traded outfielder Jason Heyward to the Cardinals for pitcher Shelby Miller. Pitchers Jordan Walden and Tyrell Jenkins also were involved in the deal, but Heyward-for-Miller was enough to grab the attention of the baseball...

The Rule 5 draft is the last event of the Winter Meetings and will take place on Dec. 11. Any player selected in this draft must remain on the selecting team's 25-man roster for the entire 2015 season or be offered back to his original club. This is the draft where the Orioles got Ryan Flaherty three years ago and pitcher T.J. McFarland two years ago. The Orioles selected Michael Almanzar from Boston last year, sent him back and reacquired him, but he is now a minor league free agent. Players...