In the Orioles' recent history, one of their biggest trades was with Seattle in 2008 when they acquired Tony Butler, Kam Mickolio, George Sherrill, Chris Tillman and, of course, Adam Jones in exchange for Erik Bedard. It didn't take long for Jones to prove his value, making the All-Star team and winning a Gold Glove in his second season in Baltimore, but Tillman took more time to develop. After four seasons of jumping between the majors and minors because of inconsistency, the right-hander...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles' four-day mini-camp is reaching its conclusion. A few pitchers, including Hunter Harvey and Tommy Hunter, left after yesterday's workout. Delmon Young took batting practice, met with manager Buck Showalter and appeared to make a favorable impression. Jack Cust arrived Tuesday and still can be found in the clubhouse. The Orioles signed pitcher Luis Vizcaino and infielder Brock Bond to minor league contracts without invitations to spring training. They signed...

At 29, the process of Eddie Gamboa reinventing himself as a pitcher is continuing. He began throwing a knuckleball last year in spring training and and began to have success with the pitch at Double-A Bowie. When he moved to Triple-A Norfolk in July, he threw the pitch more often, but the results got worse. After the season ended, he went to winter ball in Mexico and got back to a comfort level with the pitch, going 3-4 with a 2.64 ERA in 11 starts. Throwing the pitch about 50 percent of the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have reached agreement with outfielder Tyler Colvin on a major league deal, according to industry sources. The deal is pending a physical. The Orioles are expected to announce Colvin's signing Thursday morning. His physical was scheduled for later today. Colvin, 28, gives the Orioles another left-handed hitter in a crowded outfield. They currently have 12 outfielders on their spring training roster, including Colvin, who spent the past two seasons with the...

Pitchers and catchers don't report for more than three weeks to Sarasota, but fans are already eager for the 2014 Orioles season. FanFest at the Baltimore Convention Center on Feb. 1 will unofficially kick off the new campaign, and before you know it, the sounds of bat meeting ball and ball popping into mitt will be emanating from the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota. Battery mates will show up first, then the whole team, then there will be exhibition games to follow as the Birdland...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles added another arm to their bullpen today by signing former Red Sox reliever Alfredo Aceves to a minor league deal with a spring training invitation. Aceves has also made 15 starts among his 194 major league appearances over six seasons. His potential role with the Orioles is undetermined, but they could use another set-up man if Tommy Hunter is named the closer. Aceves, 31, is 30-14 with a 3.69 ERA and 29 saves, including 25 in 2012. Last year, he went 4-1 with a...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Hunter Harvey and Parker Bridwell threw bullpen sessions today at the Orioles' mini-camp at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Kevin Gausman will throw on Thursday before everyone heads back home. Former All-Star closer Bryan Harvey, Hunter's father, offered advice to right-handers Tommy Hunter and Steve Johnson on throwing a split-fingered fastball. Manager Buck Showalter encouraged Harvey to approach them and offer tips on his signature pitch. Showalter watched Dylan Bundy...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Delmon Young hit in the indoor cage this morning, took a few rounds of batting practice outside and shagged fly balls in left field. He later met with Buck Showalter after passing by the manager's office without a shirt and happily proclaiming that he weighed in at 223 pounds. It was a full day for Young, who signed a minor league deal earlier this week and decided to stop by the complex to work out and meet his coaches and a few of his new teammates. Young, 28, said he had...

Nationals-Senators partnership runs through 2018 season The Washington Nationals today announced the signing of a four-year Player Development Contract extension (which begins in 2015) with the Harrisburg Senators of the Double-A Eastern League through the 2018 season. Nationals President & General Manager Mike Rizzo, Nationals Vice President/Player Personnel Bob Boone, Assistant General Manager & Vice President of Player Development Doug Harris and Director of Player Development Mark...

The Nationals this afternoon announced that they have extended their affiliation with Double-A Harrisburg for four more years through the 2018 season. "Our partnership with Harrisburg and the Senators dates back more than 20 years, and it is with that history in mind that we are excited to sign on with them for another four," Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said in a team-issued release. "Harrisburg is an Eastern League gem, and we are proud to continue our association with a team, and...