SARASOTA, Fla. - During his session yesterday with the media, Orioles manager Buck Showalter challenged me to come up with a starting lineup. That's what happens when you sit in the front row. Showalter won't reference Nelson Cruz by name until the deal becomes official, but he clearly intended for a projected lineup to include the veteran outfielder/designated hitter. Cruz has hit in every spot, but it's safe to assume he won't lead off in Baltimore. My initial thought was batting him...

VIERA, Fla. - After facing left-handers Sammy Solis and Matt Purke in live batting practice today, and before he was set to step in against right-hander A.J. Cole, I asked shortstop Zach Walters what he thought of the young, talented hurlers the Nationals were rolling out to the mound on Field 2 today. "Is it like a requirement now that every guy we have is (6-foot-6) and can locate seven pitches?" Walters deadpanned. Sure seems that way. Walters was able to barrel up a ball off Purke,...

VIERA, Fla. - As spring training progresses, we'll slowly be able to learn more and more about the new players that are in Nationals camp. Doug Fister looked sharp and shown impressive command down in the zone during his three bullpen sessions coming into today. And with hitters stepping into the batter's box against Fister for live batting practice for the first time, we got a little more information on how Fister likes to approach spring and what he brings to the table. For example,...

VIERA, Fla. - Today's workout was briefly interrupted by a heavy rainstorm that lasted about 15 minutes or so, but the Nationals still were able to take part in their first live batting practice sessions of spring, with a couple taking place before the rain came and the rest after the showers had passed through. Doug Fister and Gio Gonzalez were the first to throw today on Fields 2 and 3. Luis Ayala, Xavier Cedeno and a host of others went after the rain came down, including a trio of young,...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will play intrasquad games on Wednesday and Thursday next week, with the innings tentatively set for eight and four, respectively. No word on whether the games are open to the public. Manager Buck Showalter had to cancel a pop-up drill today because heavy rains soaked the outfield. However, he praised the grounds crew for getting the practice fields in good shape in a short amount of time. Showalter wouldn't comment on the team's agreement with Nelson Cruz on...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis has been one of the more outspoken opponents of steroid use in baseball, accusing cheaters of stealing money and pushing for harsher penalties. With news breaking today that the Orioles reached agreement with Nelson Cruz on a one-year contract, Markakis figured to draw a crowd of reporters at his locker. "It doesn't change my opinion toward anything," Markakis said. "He's my teammate now, so I've got to be a teammate. No matter if...

Camden Yards is a gem, a rare baseball cathedral that blends classic, retro style with today's version of the national pastime. But its lush outfield grass and manicured infield don't happen by accident. They're the result of a year-round effort by head groundskeeper Nicole McFadyen and her talented grounds crew. Each month during this offseason, Orioles Buzz will check in with McFadyen to see what's happening on the field at Camden Yards as the grounds crew prepares for the 2014...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Outfielder Nelson Cruz is flying from the Dominican Republic to Miami this afternoon and is expected to drive to Sarasota tonight. Cruz and the Orioles reached agreement today to a one-year, $8 million contract with another $750,000 possible in incentives based on time spent on the major league roster. In keeping with their policy, the Orioles won't comment on the deal until Cruz passes his physical. However, multiple industry sources confirmed it this morning. Because...

At the start of free agency, MLBTradeRumors.com projected that slugger Nelson Cruz could get a three-year contract worth $39 million. As we know, things change, and so did this free agent market. Today, the Orioles agreed to a one-year deal with Cruz worth $8 million plus incentives. Was that a deal the Orioles simply had to take? Sure seems so, and after earlier giving up their first-round pick next June (17th overall) for Ubaldo Jimenez, they will now part with the 55th pick for Cruz. That...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles were supposed to take the field at 10 a.m. for their pre-workout stretch, but it's been pushed back another hour. Players are still busy with photo day. Executive vice president Dan Duquette walked through the media workroom earlier this morning. I asked whether he had anything to say, my fingers on the home row of my keyboard. "Still working on it," he replied with a grin. The Orioles are working to finalize a deal with outfielder Nelson Cruz, according to...