SAN DIEGO - The Orioles have an opening on their 40-man roster after the Rangers claimed left-hander Scott Barnes off waivers this morning. Barnes didn't have time to get attached to the Orioles, who acquired him from the Indians on Nov. 26 in exchange for cash considerations. Barnes, 27, appeared in 25 games (one start) with Triple-A Columbus in 2014, going 3-2 with a 3.69 ERA in 31 2/3 innings. In two major league seasons with the Indians, Barnes went 0-1 with a 5.20 ERA in 27 2/3 innings...

As the weather continues to get colder in the Washington D.C. area, the hot stove continues to heat up around the baseball world. While general manager Mike Rizzo continues to work on the Nationals' roster at the Winter Meetings, relive four magical games from the 2014 season. By all accounts, 2014 was the season of walk-off wins for the Nationals. And no, I'm not just talking about the 10-game winning streak in August, Many of the Nats' walk-off wins came before and after the winning...

SAN DIEGO - The lobby at the Manchester Grand Hyatt is teeming with executives and media members. Day One of baseball's Winter Meetings is under way, even if many of the participants are a little bleary-eyed from a day of cross-country travel and the interruptions of their usual sleep patterns. Some years, lots of action takes place at the Winter Meetings. Some years, eh, not so much. But that does little to satiate the rabid fans 2,253 miles away in Washington, D.C., who have tons of...

The Winter Meetings are well under way and the hot stove is certainly heating up. While Orioles nation is focused on the future of the Birds, why not relive some of the greatest games from the last two years? This week, we have four of the best "Orioles Classics" from 2013-14, including three walk-off wins. Here's what's on deck this week on MASN HD: Tuesday, Dec. 9, 9 a.m.: It was the bottom of the ninth on June 23, 2014, and the Orioles were trailing the White Sox 4-3 with two on...

A few of the prospects on the Nationals' top 10 list by Baseball Prospectus got a chance to showcase their talents on the biggest stage this past season. Steven Souza Jr. made an impact with a couple of mammoth home runs and an unforgettable no-hitter-saving catch. Michael A. Taylor also made his presence known with a home run early in his first week at the Mets, and demonstrated a very nice swing at the plate. He also showed he could play plus-plus defense in center field for the...

SAN DIEGO - A sportswriter's hearing is tested each December by his ability to decipher the "buzz" from the hotel lobby at the annual Winter Meetings. The sound usually comes from executives, scouts and agents who pass along rumors and shared discussions. Reporters swap information, as well. Most of the Orioles talk, separate from the Dan Duquette drama, centers on their search for outfield, bullpen and catching depth. They have a few free agents of their own that they'd like to bring...

SAN DIEGO - The calendar says the Winter Meetings officially start today. I'm not sure how to categorize yesterday's activity. The Orioles made news and it didn't involve any players. Executive vice president Dan Duquette was the center of attention following reports that the Blue Jays wanted to interview him for the president/CEO job. No matter how Duquette feels about such an opportunity - and he's got to be intrigued by the job title and healthy raise in pay - his contract does not...

SAN DIEGO - The Nationals have engaged Jordan Zimmermann and his representatives in the past about a possible contract extension that would keep the right-hander in D.C. long-term. These previous talks haven't progressed too far. But with Zimmermann now set to enter his final year of team control, a source confirms that the Nationals are set to take another crack at a long-term deal with Zimmermann. Zimmermann is set to earn $16.5 million in 2015, the final year of a two-year deal reached last...

SAN DIEGO - How about some actual baseball talk? Sunday was highlighted by the report that the Toronto Blue Jays have interest in Dan Duquette as a candidate to be their CEO/president. Both Duquette and Orioles managing partner Peter G. Angelos threw cold water on the report. Angelos basically said the Orioles would not allow Toronto to talk to Duquette. When told of Angelos' comments on MLB Network Radio, Duquette said, "That's good to hear and I do have a contract and I always honor my...

SAN DIEGO - We're all set up here at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in beautiful San Diego, right on the water and just a short walk away from Petco Park, home of the Padres. The Winter Meetings don't technically begin until tomorrow, but that hasn't stopped groups of team employees and reporters from congregating in the lobby as everyone catches up and gets set to check into their rooms. It isn't just general managers and top team officials that attend the Winter Meetings from the teams' side...