SARASOTA, Fla. - The clubhouse is now closed to the media while the Orioles have their annual union meeting. Former Orioles filled the place this morning, including Jeffrey Hammonds, Phil Bradley, Bobby Bonilla and Rick Helling, who all work for the Major League Baseball Players Association. Hall of Famer Dave Winfield and former Expos pitcher Steve Rogers also were in the house, along with Mike Myers - the former left-handed reliever, not the comedic actor. At first, I thought the Orioles...

VIERA, Fla. - After he was done running Friday's workout and taking part in all of his normal daily meetings with his coaching staff, Nationals manager Matt Williams took the hour-long drive to Kissimmee for another meeting. This one was with Major League Baseball officials, and was held to instruct Williams as well as a few other managers on the new video replay rules that will be put into place this season. Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez, Astros manager Bo Porter and Tigers manager Brad...

Well, we heard and read that the Orioles were all in on A.J. Burnett. They went from that to actually adding Suk-min Yoon, Ubaldo Jimenez and Nelson Cruz. Of course, the Cruz deal is not official yet. Yes, the free agent season had some twists and turns over the last few days, weeks and months. When it becomes official, Cruz's addition would give the Orioles six players on their roster that were on the 2013 American League All-Star team. The Orioles certainly used the system to their...

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...