Pitcher Max Scherzer, the 2013 Cy Young Award winner, is a free agent after turning down the Tigers' offer of a six-year, $144 million extension in March. They made a qualifying offer to him yesterday, which he's also going to toss away like circus peanuts in a Halloween bag. I mention it only as a pre-emptive strike against fans and media who try to connect the Orioles to him. They're not going to spend that kind of money. They're not in his neighborhood. They won't try to talk their way...

The Orioles sent out a release tonight confirming that they declined their portion of the mutual option on right fielder Nick Markakis' contract. The club will pay a $2 million buyout rather than the $17.5 million option. The Orioles now have 32 players on their 40-man roster. They still haven't confirmed that they're also declining the $5 million option on catcher Nick Hundley's contract. Markakis, the seventh overall pick in the 2003 First-Year Player Draft, batted .276/.342/.386 with...

The Orioles today announced that they have declined their portion of a mutual option on outfielder Nick Markakis for 2015. Markakis, 30, batted .276/.342/.386 with 14 home runs and 50 RBI in 155 games in 2014. The Orioles now have 32 players on their 40-man major league roster.

Heading into free agency, the Orioles, Red Sox and Yankees all had one key reliever that could have hit the open market. Now that number has been reduced from three players to two. While Andrew Miller and David Robertson are likely to test the market and accept offers, Koji Uehara will not. The former Orioles right-hander signed a two-year deal worth $18 million to stay with the Red Sox. That seems to be too much money to pay for a reliever that struggled late last season and will turn 40 next...

The Orioles today announced that they have claimed left-hander Pat McCoy off waivers from Detroit. McCoy, 26, posted a 3.86 ERA (14.0IP, 6ER) over 14 appearances for the Tigers in 2014. He also went 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA (45.0IP, 15ER) in 30 appearances for Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo. Across all three levels, he held left-handed batters to a .208/.276/.299 line in 87 plate appearances last season. The Orioles now have 33 players on their 40-man major league roster.

The Orioles claimed left-handed reliever Patrick McCoy off waivers from the Tigers earlier today. McCoy, 26, appeared in 14 games with the Tigers as a rookie this season and allowed six runs and 21 hits in 14 innings for a 3.86 ERA. He walked 13 batters and struck out 11. His walk-to-strikeout ratio was much better in the minors, where he went 1-0 with a 3.95 ERA in nine games at Double-A Erie and 2-0 with a 2.59 ERA in 21 games at Triple-A Toledo. McCoy walked nine and struck out 34 over 45...

It's been nearly a month since the Nationals played their last game. While spring training is still months away, MASN HD is airing five "Nationals Classics" games this week. Make sure you tune in this week to get your fix of some of the greatest games in Nats' history, including a pair of walk-off wins courtesy of third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. Here's what MASN has on deck this week: Monday, Nov. 3, 1 p.m.: Zimmerman has earned the reputation of "Mr. Clutch" throughout his time in...

Each year, options are picked up or aren't. Players become free agents. Players move on, new players are welcomed in. So it was certainly business as usual when it was announced that options will not be picked up on veterans Rafael Soriano and Adam LaRoche. One can understand the business reasoning behind each move. But it is still tough to take when you realize that players like Soriano and LaRoche will not be on the 2015 Nationals roster. Especially LaRoche. I spoke to LaRoche before and...

We've assumed for a while now that Denard Span would be back with the Nationals next season, with his $9 million being a relative bargain after the excellent 2014 campaign put up by the center fielder. It's now official. Span's club option was picked up by the Nats yesterday, ensuring that Span will return for 2015. The club will retain its leadoff hitter and its center fielder, meaning two very important roles are accounted for. We've also assumed for a little while now that neither Adam...

If you're wondering how you'll recognize me tonight on Halloween, I'll be dressed again as a guy sitting on his front steps handing out candy. The cigar and cocktail are only props. I'm not big on sweets, but it's a photo finish between Almond Joy and Snickers for my favorite candy bar. I also can be enticed by peanut M&Ms if the mood strikes me. Do parents still hand out apples and popcorn balls, or am I showing my age? The world's a dangerous place now and they'd end up in the...