NASHVILLE – The Orioles' search for a back-end-of-the-game reliever and a starting pitcher may now be down to just a search for a starter. The club is, according to numerous reports, closing in on a deal with free-agent right-hander Craig Kimbrel, a pitcher who is a nine-time All-Star with 417 career saves. Even at 35, Kimbrel could be impactful fo

NASHVILLE – The Orioles might leave the Winter Meetings later today without a signed contract from a free agent, an agreement with a trade partner or a selection in the Rule 5 draft. However, the quest for a closer appears to be reaching its conclusion. Stand by. Multiple reports have the Orioles nearing an agreement with veteran Craig Kimbrel on a

NASHVILLE – The Orioles made news of sorts yesterday without making any signings or trades. The news was that there is “very definitely a strong possibility” that No. 1 ranked prospect Jackson Holliday will be on the Opening Day roster March 28. That is how O’s executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias answered when asked about the po

NASHVILLE – For more than a decade, the Nationals essentially sat out the Rule 5 Draft. From 2011-21, they didn’t select a single player in the major league portion of the event that annually closes the Winter Meetings. The thinking: A team that expected to contend each season probably couldn’t afford to use a big league roster spot on a player who

NASHVILLE – This afternoon’s Rule 5 draft marks the end of the Winter Meetings at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. Typically held on Thursday morning the week of the Meetings, the league bumped it up to Wednesday afternoon last year, much to the delight of beat reporters who get to travel home a day early. The Nationals historically haven’t utilized th

NASHVILLE – The Winter Meetings conclude later today with the Rule 5 draft. The Orioles hold the 29th selection in the first round but can move up as teams ahead of them pass. Probably won't matter. The Orioles have made a selection every year in the major league phase since pitcher Alfredo Simon in 2006. They traded Simon to the Phillies for catch

NASHVILLE – The Orioles weren’t eligible for today’s draft lottery but moved up two spots for next year’s first selection. They went from holding the 24th to the 22nd because of luxury tax penalties imposed on the Yankees and Padres. “That’s a pretty high pick coming off a 101-win season,” said executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias. I

NASHVILLE – One year ago, Mike Rizzo sat on a makeshift TV set in San Diego and legitimately sweated out the final moments of the brand-new MLB Draft Lottery, in the end accepting the No. 2 pick after the Pirates won the No. 1 choice. The tension wasn’t nearly as thick tonight for this year’s lottery. Rizzo wasn’t even in the room when the National

NASHVILLE – Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias said he’s had a “productive day” of meetings at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. Can’t get into particulars, but a lot of good conversations with so many attractive free agents remaining on the board and plenty of trade partners. Jackson Holliday isn’t just

NASHVILLE – In rattling off the positions they need to fill this winter, the Nationals will say first base, third base and left field. They’ll acknowledge Luis García isn’t guaranteed to retain his starting job at second base. But what about center field? When the 2023 season ended, the Nats were playing Jacob Young every day. And though the rookie