Longtime pitching coach Ray Miller used to instruct his staff to work fast, change speeds and throw strikes. It was such a catchy phrase, and so important in developing Cy Young candidates, that he had T-shirts made as a reminder. New Orioles pitching coach Dave Wallace shares a similar credo, though he has his own ideas to go along with it. "I think that's pretty good," Wallace said. "Ray's been a real good friend. I know him well and he had great success as a pitching coach. Those are...

Yesterday's news that the Nationals agreed to terms on a one-year contract with right-hander Stephen Strasburg, avoiding arbitration, led to some discussion on Twitter and in the comment section of the blog on the $3.975 salary the pitcher will receive in 2014. Some readers felt that Strasburg's salary for this upcoming season was a bit low and that the Nationals should have offered him a deal with a larger payout for 2014. In reality, the arbitration system is very controlled and leans...

CAGUAS, Puerto Rico - Thirty minutes before first pitch at Estadio Yldefonso Sola Morales, Alex Cora is working the rail at the home dugout on the third base side like it's a receiving line at a wedding reception. He stops and greets every player on Los Criollos de Caguas, shaking hands, slapping palms and offering encouragement. If not for the fact that he's in a short-sleeved plaid shirt with a backpack slung over his shoulder, you'd think the smiling 38-year-old was one of the...

Now that the euphoria over Alexi Casilla's signing has started to dissipate, I decided to empty out the ol' notebook and give you a few more quotes from manager Buck Showalter's interview Thursday night on WBAL Radio. Showalter was asked for his feelings on the present Orioles roster - minus Casilla, of course - and he responded that he "felt fine." Here's more: "I look at it like there's nothing else coming," he said. "There may be. I think that's such a poor reflection for the...

The Nationals announced tonight that they've agreed to terms with right-hander Stephen Strasburg, avoiding arbitration. It's a one-year deal for Strasburg, which really just serves as a procedural move. The 25-year-old is under team control through the 2016 season, but through the arbitration process, his yearly salaries over the remainder of his deal will be negotiated between his agent and the Nats, with a hearing with an arbiter looming if the two sides cannot settle on terms. Strasburg...

Well, I've softened my stance on one aspect of baseball. Years ago, I used to believe that the closer was the most important player on the team and any club with designs on a championship needed a top-notch talent for that role. I still think it's a pretty critical role, but maybe don't feel quite as strongly as I once did. I still haven't come to the other side and to the conclusion that many have that the closer is overrated and that almost any good reliever could fill that role. It...

The Orioles are bringing back one of their free agents, signing infielder Alexi Casilla to a minor league deal with a spring training invite. Casilla, 29, batted .214/.268/.295 with four doubles, a triple, one homer and 10 RBIs in 62 games last season. He also was 9-for-11 in stolen base attempts. Casilla made $1.7 million last season. The Orioles declined his $3 million option for 2014, but brought him back after second baseman Brian Roberts agreed to terms on a $2 million contract with the...

First/third baseman Matt Skole would like nothing better than to be able to have a healthy 2014 season after last season ended abruptly. Skole underwent Tommy John surgery after injuring his elbow on a play at first base early in the Double-A Harrisburg Senators season. Skole was able to play in the Arizona Fall League, but still was never completely 100 percent. Finally, he will get his shot this season to log several at-bats and games to get his season going and prove again he is the power...

Thirty-four days until pitchers and catchers report to Sarasota, Fla., for the start of spring training. But who's counting? This week, MASN announced its spring training broadcast schedule, with six games being aired on MASN HD. Something even closer to look forward to is the Orioles' annual FanFest event. We have exciting games, events and more planned for the MASN booth. While I have spent many days and nights at Camden Yards, I will admit that this will be the first year that I attend...

As of yesterday morning, Danny Espinosa was the clear favorite to land a job as the Nationals' reserve middle infielder this spring. He and Zach Walters (eight career major league at-bats) were the only middle infielders on the Nats' 40-man roster behind Ian Desmond and Anthony Rendon. Former Rays and Tigers second baseman Will Rhymes was also an option, after the 30-year-old re-signed with the Nats on a minor league deal back in December. But with his major league experience the last few...