LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Not only did the Orioles lose 50 saves, their leadoff hitter and a couple of starters with the departures of Jim Johnson, Nate McLouth, Scott Feldman and - at least for now - free agent Jason Hammel, they also lost players deemed as good clubhouse guys and leaders. It's about more than statistics. "You can't put that in sabermetrics or whatever they're calling it," said manager Buck Showalter. "I know one thing, our clubhouse guys took a hit because they were...

LAKE BUENVA VISTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter is aware the subject of the team's budget has been a big topic over the last few days. During a video interview today with MASNSports.com, Showalter was asked about the club's 2014 payroll. "I without doubt think we have plenty of budget," Showalter said. "I don't even think about that at all. That's not my job. A lot of teams have eliminated that excuse. That excuse will not creep into this organization. It's not one and...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter spent about 30 minutes today talking to reporters during his scheduled interview session. The topics included Brian Roberts' possible return, Nick Markakis' candidacy as the leadoff hitter next season, the decision to tender a contract to Nolan Reimold, the Rule 5 draft and fan unrest over the lack of a big move in free agency or the trade front. Just not in that order. Let's get to it. Ryan Flaherty seems to be the leading candidate...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Reporters just got done with a 30-minute chat with Nationals manager Matt Williams here off to the side of the media work room at the Swan and Dolphin Resort, and while there wasn't any real breaking news that came out of the session, we got plenty of interesting tidbits on how Williams plans to manage his team and what he's accomplished so far. I'll have full quotes and more in-depth stuff in a bit, once I get a chance to sift through everything. But I wanted to...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - New Nationals manager Matt Williams said Tuesday that right-hander Stephen Strasburg, who underwent surgery to remove bone chips from his throwing elbow in late October, will be "full go" for spring training. "His rehab has gone phenomenal," Williams said while addressing reporters at the Winter Meetings. "Everything checks out from a medical standpoint. He is ready to go, day one spring training. Full go." Strasburg's surgery, performed in Los Angeles, caused...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Nationals are a team generating a bunch of chatter in the lobby here at the Swan and Dolphin Resort, with a few players being discussed by various teams as potential trade targets. Yahoo! Sports reported yesterday that the Nationals are shopping Danny Espinosa, and while there are teams that have had conversations with the Nats about Espinosa, I've been told that general manager Mike Rizzo is not actively looking to deal the 26-year-old infielder. As one source...

LAKE BUENVA VISTA, Fla. - Jim Duquette was once a key decision maker for the Orioles. Now, he analyzes what the O's and every other club in baseball does as his role as an analyst for Sirius XM radio. This morning, during a video interview, he mentioned the O's interest in free agent reliever Grant Balfour which has much discussed here today. Duquette said despite not having a move or moves to announce yet, he is hearing the Orioles have been pretty active at these meetings. "When you...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The hotel lobby at the Winter Meetings is a magical place. Think of it as nirvana for baseball geeks, a confusing confluence of scouts, executives, agents, players, former players and media types, all trying to sniff out the latest shred of a rumor without being too obvious. This morning's tour of the Dolphin Resort at Disney brought a lot of chatter about interest in two Nationals relievers - right-handers Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard. Most teams in the majors are...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed today that the club hasn't extended a formal offer to free-agent closer Grant Balfour. It's expected to come later today. The Orioles have discussed parameters with Balfour's agent and are regarded as the favorites to sign the veteran reliever, according to multiple sources. As always, it comes down to dollars and years. The Orioles also have varying levels of interest in John Axford, Chris Perez, Fernando Rodney and Joaquin...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Orioles are creating quite a buzz this morning in their pursuit of a closer. While they continue to negotiate with John Axford's agent - meeting with him this week at the Winter Meetings - it's become apparent that Grant Balfour is their No. 1 choice to serve as the ninth inning specialist in 2014. The Orioles are expected to make an offer to Balfour later today, and they have emerged as the frontrunners to sign him. The Orioles have talked parameters with...