LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Orioles outrighted infielder Cord Phelps to Triple-A Norfolk, leaving 37 players on their 40-man roster. Reliever Ryan Webb will be added Tuesday after passing his physical in Baltimore and signing his two-year, $4.15 million deal. Phelps, 26, was claimed off waivers from the Indians on Nov. 25. He appeared in 53 games for Cleveland over the last three seasons, batting .159/.221/.248 (18-for-113) with two homers and 11 RBIs. He batted .267/.333/.443 with nine...

LAKE BUENVA VISTA, Fla. - In a video interview Monday night, Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette addressed the activity level of the Winter Meetings today for the Orioles and others clubs. Duquette was also asked if the Orioles would consider signing a player that would cost the club its first-round draft pick and discussed his take on possibly signing a player that had previously been suspended for PED use.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Though his starting outfield is set - with Bryce Harper in left field, Denard Span in center field and Jayson Werth in right field - Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo placed a high priority this offseason in adding a dependable left-handed bat off the bench. Rizzo wanted someone versatile enough to play all three positions well, a hitter with enough pop to hit the occasional home run and a guy who could add an element of speed to the aggressive style new manager...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Local reporters met with Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo in his suite at the Swan and Dolphin resort for nearly 20 minutes a bit ago, and we covered a number of topics related to the Nats' efforts to finalize their roster this offseason. It's clear that finding a left-handed reliever is Rizzo's top priority, and the Nats could still look to bolster their depth at a few spots on the bench after adding Nate McLouth, whose signing should be official after he...

The Orioles today announced that they have outrighted infielder Cord Phelps to Triple-A Norfolk. Phelps, 26, was claimed off waivers from Cleveland on November 25. He appeared in 53 games for Cleveland over the last three seasons, batting .159/.221/.248 (18-113) with two homers and 11 RBI. He saw action at second base, third base and shortstop for the Indians. In 2013, the switch-hitter batted .267/.333/.443 (68-255) with nine homers and 46 RBI in 65 games for Triple-A Columbus and appeared...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Orioles' search for a veteran starter with an affordable contract could lead them back to Jason Hammel. I've heard that the Orioles maintain interest in Hammel, provided that he will accept a contract heavy in incentives. That's the latest buzz from the lobby of the Swan and Dolphin Resort. The Indians also have expressed interest in Hammel, according to FOX Sports. However, ESPN reports that the right-hander's price has gone up and the Indians are moving in...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - We're scheduled to meet with Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo in less than an hour, but I've got a few notes from the lobby to pass along before we head up to Rizzo's suite to quiz him on the Nats-related happenings during Day One of the Winter Meetings. The Nats continue to monitor the market for left-handed relievers, and as they do so, they might have to take one interesting wrinkle into account. I've heard that Boone Logan, a lefty who has spent the last...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Would the Orioles part with a top draft pick to sign a free agent? One industry source today said the answer is likely yes. If that is true, then the player the club has interest in is one of the six remaining players that turned down a qualifying offer. The list includes outfielders Shin-Soo Choo and Nelson Cruz, shortstop Stephen Drew, first baseman/designated hitter Kendrys Morales and pitchers Ubaldo Jimenez and Ervin Santana. The club has been linked, at least to...

LAKE BUENVA VISTA, Fla. - Former Oriole general manager Roland Hemond is here at the Winter Meetings. Hemond is now in his sixth season as special assistant to the president and CEO of the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was GM of the Orioles during a very interesting time, one that spanned the club's terrible start in 1988 which was followed by the 1989, "Why Not" season and he was GM when the club moved into Camden Yards. "I joined the team and we lost our first 21 games," he said with a...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - A key figure in the National League East for the last four years has decided to step away from the game. Roy Halladay has just taken to the podium in the media room at the Swan and Dolphin resort to announce his retirement, marking the end of a tremendous 16-year career. Halladay will finish with a record of 203-105 and a career 3.38 ERA. He won two Cy Young awards, finished in the top five of the Cy Young voting seven times and was an eight-time All-Star. Is he a...