The Orioles were working last night to set up closer Grant Balfour's physical for today in Baltimore. Two seasons ago, the Orioles bullpen was the strength of a team that snapped a string of 14 straight losing campaigns. The club finally made the playoffs, and most of the credit could be found beyond the outfield fences - spitting sunflower shells, chewing bubble gum and waiting for the phone to ring. The group wasn't quite as dependable in 2013, though abbreviated starts from the rotation...

While we continue to ponder whether the Orioles can sign catcher Matt Wieters to a long-term contract, or failing that, if they will trade him, here is another Wieters question. Can he get his bat back to 2011 levels in 2014? In 2011, Wieters hit .262 with 22 homers, 68 RBIs and had a .450 slugging percentage with a .778 OPS. In 2012 he hit .249 with 23 homers, 83 RBIs, a .435 slugging percentage and a .764 OPS. Then last season he batted .235 (with a .287 OBP) with 22 homers, 79 RBIs, a...

So those Grant Balfour negotiations took a little while, huh? Wow, that was protracted. But in the end, I see it as a win for the Orioles. They now have a closer locked up for the next two years and Jim Johnson would have been a free agent after 2014. At the projected salary for Johnson in 2014, the Orioles did save some money that can be used elsewhere and they may have upgraded the closer's role. I say may because Balfour will have to prove that he is better than Johnson. A 35-year-old...

Every year, right after the Baseball America Orioles top 10 prospects lists comes out, I rush to the phone to interview the writer of the list to get some insights on those players. This year I had to interview myself. At least I didn't have any trouble reaching the guy. It was exciting to be asked by Baseball America to do the O's list this year. They are the industry standard for prospects and when they talk about young players a lot of people listen. I tried to do a job worthy of their...

When the Orioles hired Dave Wallace as their pitching coach on Oct. 29, they got a man with a lot of experience, a World Series ring and a reputation for working well with with young pitchers. During the Winter Meetings last week in Florida, I had a chance to catch up with Wallace for a video interview. Wallace has served as pitching for four teams - the Houston Astros (2007), Boston Red Sox (2003-06), New York Mets (1999-2000) and Los Angeles Dodgers (1995-97). He was with the Mets when they...

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado's recovery from Oct. 14 knee surgery is now well under way and it seems to be going quite well. Stephania Bell, ESPN's injury expert and senior writer for ESPN.com, went to Miami to interview Machado just before Thanksgiving. She saw a player determined to come back strong. "I thought he was doing very well and his range of motion was great, maybe even better than I expected," Bell said. "He had just gotten rid of what we call a quad lag, where you...

If any organization wants lasting success and a good farm system, it is probably essential that its player development and scouting departments are on the same page. A few years ago, there were those that felt that was not true in Baltimore and that internal differences hurt the overall effort. Orioles director of player development Brian Graham, addressing the current situation with the organization, feels the departments are very much on the same page now. The scouts sign the players, but...

The Nationals have added former major league catcher Michael Barrett to their minor league staff and will bring in a former Double-A Manager of the Year to be the new skipper at Triple-A Syracuse, a source with knowledge of the appointments told MASNSports.com. Also, former Nationals pitcher Tim Redding is back with the organization after being named pitching coach at short-season Single-A Auburn. Billy Gardner Jr., the 2012 Southern League Manager of the Year with Montgomery of the Tampa...

On Monday, February 17, the Orioles will hold the 4th Annual OriolesREACH Birdland Golf Classic at Laurel Oak Country Club to benefit the Miracle League of Manasota, an organization dedicated to providing an opportunity for every person to play baseball, regardless of their ability. The event begins with registration and lunch at 11 a.m., with a shotgun start set for 12:30 p.m. The classic will feature a silent auction and the chance to play a round with current and former Orioles players and...

The Orioles are on the verge of making their first impact move of the offseason. According to industry sources, the Orioles are nearing an agreement with free-agent closer Grant Balfour on a two-year deal. One source says Balfour will receive $14 million over two years, plus $500,000 deferred each year. The agreement will become official later today. Balfour reportedly had a higher-paying offer from another club - believed to be two years with a vesting option - but clearly preferred to...