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...

Before I kick off my morning blog post, I've got a quick housekeeping note to pass along. I'm leaving the country later today for a 10-day trip to Europe, and will not be writing/tweeting/monitoring MLBTradeRumors during that time. I'm excited to say that I'm stepping away from the laptop for a week and a half, and will be enjoying my first European journey. (For anyone who cares, I'll be hitting France, the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium during this trip. Should be fun.) My...

David Lough was warned at the Winter Meetings that he might be traded. It came from his agent, who informed the outfielder that a few clubs were showing interest. The Royals had acquired outfielder Norichika Aoki from the Brewers a few days earlier, making Lough expendable following his rookie season. On Wednesday, they dealt him to the Orioles for infielder Danny Valencia. My introduction to Lough came yesterday afternoon via a phone call. He's an extremely pleasant, friendly guy who's...

The Orioles were expected to announce the signing today of closer Grant Balfour to a two-year contract, but an issue has arisen concerning his physical, according to multiple industry sources. Balfour agreed Tuesday to a two-year, $15 million contract that included $500,000 deferred over each of the next two seasons, and the Orioles were expected to introduce him Friday morning at a press conference at Camden Yards. However, there's been an undisclosed glitch related to his physical and the...

The Orioles have signed outfielder Xavier Paul to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training, according to a team official. Paul, 28, batted .244/.339/.402 with 12 doubles, seven homers and 32 RBIs in 97 games with the Reds. He hit .253/.349/.426 with all of his extra-base hits and RBIs against right-handers. He was 3-for-19 against lefties. The Reds non-tendered Paul, a career .254/.316/.376 hitter in parts of five major league seasons with the Dodgers, Pirates and...

If you're downtown tomorrow afternoon and haven't yet finished your holiday shopping - or just in need of some seasonal cheer - check out a special combination happy hour/bazaar at Dempsey's Brew Pub & Restaurant at Camden Yards. From 4-8 p.m., revelers can listen to a live jazz band, partake of happy hour food and drink specials, and shop a variety of local vendors who will be set up at the ballpark eatery. The Oriole Bird will be there, too, and rumor has it that he'll be dressed as...

Mike Rizzo and Billy Beane are at it again. The Nationals have traded outfielder Corey Brown to the Athletics, a source confirmed this afternoon, marking the seventh trade between the two organizations in the last two years and the eighth deal between them in three years. No word yet on what the Nats will receive in return for Brown, who was designated for assignment last week to make room for newly signed outfielder Nate McLouth on the Nationals' 40-man roster. Brown is out of options, so...

I went into spring training this year feeling that the Nationals were the favorites in the National League East by a pretty wide margin. I wasn't alone in this line of thinking. In fact, I believe the vast majority of the baseball world was with me. The Nats, after all, were coming off a 98-win season and their first division title in team history, had seemingly improved their roster with the additions of Dan Haren, Rafael Soriano and Denard Span, and would go into the 2013 season having...

Despite rumors that the Nationals were looking for a backup catcher earlier in the offseason, the Nats say they're comfortable with either Jhonatan Solano or Sandy Leon backing up Wilson Ramos behind the plate in 2014. Last season, Solano appeared in 24 games for the Nats and made one of the best plays of his young career in a 3-2 ballgame against Philadelphia. Relive his run-saving play at the plate in the video below and check back every Thursday for more memorable moments from 2013....

Earlier this week, Brian Roberts agreed to a one-year contract with the Yankees, ending his time in Baltimore. Roberts was drafted by the Orioles in the 1999 First-Year Player Draft and went on to become a two-time All-Star and a career .278/.349/.412 hitter in 13 seasons. To honor B-Rob's career with the Orioles, we're throwin' it back to one of his most memorable moments from 2013. Your browser does not support iframes.