The Orioles could certainly get a lift this year with better production out of the designated hitter spot. Last season, O's designated hitters batted .234 with 21 homers, 69 RBIs, a .415 slugging percentage and .704 OPS. The O's ranked ninth in the American League in batting average from the DH spot, 13th in OBP, fifth in slugging, fourth in homers and eighth in OPS, a little under the league average of .725. No less than 16 players got at-bats at the DH spot in 2013. That will always be a...

It's not too difficult to remember how we all felt this time last year. Nationals fans expected a stellar season following the team's division title in 2012. I expected the Nats to win over 100 games. Davey Johnson, well, he had such high expectations that he entered the season thinking, "World Series or bust." Things will probably be a little different this year, after the Nats delivered a surprisingly low 86 wins in 2013 and failed to make the postseason. Nats fans will likely be more...

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette stated multiple times during FanFest that the club's best players would come via the farm system rather than free agency. The ol' draft and develop strategy toward building a winner. The organization has improved its depth, as evidenced by various ratings from national baseball sites, but should the Orioles stay the course and horde their top pick in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft? Signing Ubaldo Jimenez or Ervin Santana would give the Orioles...

When Orioles fans watched Michael Wacha of the St. Louis Cardinals pitch so well - dominating at times - in the playoffs last fall, it might have led some to wonder if Kevin Gausman could do that for their team one day. There are many reasons to compare the two young hard-throwing, right-handed pitchers. They are similar in age, with Wacha 22 and Gausman turning 23 last month. Both were 2012 first-round draft picks out of major colleges. Both feature a fastball-changeup combo with a mid-90s...

A couple of weeks ago, A.J. Burnett wasn't sure whether he wanted to pitch in 2014. Now, Burnett's decision on what uniform he'll be wearing this upcoming season has become one of the main storylines remaining as we work up toward spring training. And the Nationals are being mentioned as one potential landing spot for the 37-year-old right-hander. Burnett, who posted a 3.30 ERA and 209 strikeouts in 191 innings for the Pirates last season, has reportedly drawn interest from a few teams...

Let me start by saying I agree with those fans that feel the Orioles should spend more on their payroll. Dan Duquette has mentioned the $100 million figure for the 2014 payroll and the O's should spend at least that much on talent for this season. With their payroll somewhere probably around the low $80s right now, they have some money to spend according to the head of the club's baseball operations. Some fans are stirred up over the payroll issue and the Orioles are probably never going to...

Anyone tired of reading and talking about the Orioles' quest to sign a veteran starting pitcher? If so, my apologies. I'm actually tired of writing about it, but here I go again, checking the list of remaining free agent starters that's provided by MLBTradeRumors: Erik Bedard (35) A.J. Burnett (37) Chris Capuano (35) Odrisamer Despaigne (27) Jon Garland (34) Tommy Hanson (27) Aaron Harang (36) Ubaldo Jimenez (30) Jair Jurrjens (28) Jeff Karstens (31) Paul Maholm (32) Jason Marquis...

The Orioles' chances of landing a frontline starting pitcher took another hit today. FOXSports.com and ESPN.com are reporting that Bronson Arroyo has reached agreement with the Arizona Diamondbacks, removing one of the Orioles' primary free agent targets from the market. Complete terms haven't been disclosed, but the deal is for two years and includes an option, according to ESPN.com. Arroyo's willingness to concede a third guaranteed year worked in the Orioles' favor, but reports that...

For Orioles fans, the emotional roller coaster is still running at high speed. One day they hear the club is "all in" on A.J. Burnett and that he wants to pitch for their team. Today, MASNsports.com's Roch Kubatko quotes a source saying Burnett to Baltimore now "doesn't look good" and that he wants to play in the National League. Of the remaining pitchers, when all things are considered, Burnett seems like the best fit for the Orioles, and he might be as good as any other pitcher left...

Harrisburg should once again have a talented crew as one would expect, considering Double-A is normally the stopping point for an organization's best prospects. It will be interesting to see what the Nationals decide for the Senators in the outfield. Center fielder Michael Taylor, the Single-A Potomac Nationals' 2013 Player of the Year, and outfielder Caleb Ramsey are good choices. Center fielder Brian Goodwin could possibly move up to a starting role with Triple-A Syracuse. Outfielder...