I'm just about off for the airport, ready to head out to San Diego for four days of Winter Meetings coverage. My cell phone battery and the soles of my shoes will be put to the test this week, as they are every Winter Meetings. Keeping up with all the rumors, speculation and legitimate news can be tough during this annual event, which includes long days and many trips from the lobby to the media workroom and then back to the lobby again. No, the Nationals don't need to make many moves out...

Welcome to the last blog entry filed in Maryland until Friday morning. The Winter Meetings are set to begin in San Diego, which brings as much joy to this reporter as being bled with leeches or watching Season 1 of "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo." The Orioles need at least one outfielder - the possibilities still include Delmon Young, Michael Morse, Matt Kemp, Justin Upton and Melky Cabrera - and a left-hander for their bullpen. They're interested in finding another catcher to provide depth...

As the Winter Meetings approach on Monday, I'll continue to field questions regarding the Orioles' interest in specific players. I can confirm some, make an educated guess on others and plead ignorant on most. I've been asked about free agent outfielder Nori Aoki, who batted .285/.349/.360 this year in 132 games with the Royals. I'm told that the Orioles have "limited" interest in Aoki. I'd expect executive vice president Dan Duquette to meet with agent Nez Balelo of CAA Sports next...

Immediately after the Doug Fister trade was completed last winter, there were many people who doubted the return that Detroit got from the Nationals for a guy viewed by many as one of the more underrated right-handers in baseball. But Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski steadfastly said that he liked the three players that his side got in the trade - infielder Steve Lombardozzi, left-handed reliever Ian Krol and left-handed pitching prospect Robbie Ray - and that he viewed these players as...

If it was exciting for pitchers Tyler Wilson and Mike Wright when they were recently added to the Orioles' 40-man roster maybe it was doubly so for pitcher Oliver Drake. The 27-year-old right-hander was recently added to the 40-man, as well - and for the second time. Three years after Drake made it the first time in November 2011, he did it again. This time may have been even more satisfying since it followed shoulder surgery. There was no guarantee Drake would return to pitch at a high...

The Orioles lost three of their free agents this week after teams reached agreements with Nelson Cruz on Monday, Nick Markakis on Wednesday and Andrew Miller on Friday. Anyone nervous about Sunday or is it safe to go outside? The Orioles never were going to re-sign Miller and they weren't expected to retain Cruz unless he settled for three years. If fans are reeling, it's probably because they didn't anticipate being hit with the news in the same week. I figured that the Orioles would go...

The Orioles never were involved in serious talks to keep left-hander Andrew Miller, refusing to get in a bidding war with 22 other teams. Miller will have plenty of opportunities to make them regret the decision. Miller is staying in the American League East after agreeing to a four-year, $36 million deal with the Yankees, who just confirmed it on Twitter. Early speculation had Miller landing a deal in the $40-$48 million range. He settled for less, but still is going to be paid handsomely in...

Outfielder Nick Markakis was a fan favorite in Baltimore, but the Orioles did the right thing by not trying to outbid the Atlanta Braves' $44 million contract. It's better to have payroll flexibility than an $11 million outfielder hitting .280 with 12 home runs. The Orioles are going to benefit in the long run from not having Markakis. So what do to next? Prospect Dariel Alvarez needs more time in the minors. A trade for the Braves' Justin Upton or Evan Gattis is possible. Upton is...

Nationals right fielder Jayson Werth was found guilty this afternoon of reckless driving and has been sentenced to 10 days in prison with 170 days suspended. According to multiple media reports from the Fairfax County Courthouse, Werth's attorney has said he will appeal the conviction. The 35-year-old Werth will also lose his driver's license as a result of the verdict. Werth was cited on July 6 by a Virginia state trooper for driving his two-door Porsche at 105 mph in a posted 55 mph zone on...

Nick Markakis has moved on from the Orioles, but there's another chapter to add before the book closes on his tenure in Baltimore. Markakis is expected to formally sign his four-year, $44 million contract with the Braves this weekend after agreeing to terms on Wednesday. However, he's likely to undergo surgery to repair a herniated disc in his cervical spine, according to multiple sources. FOXSports.com is reporting that Markakis is leaning toward having the surgery. I've been told that...