When I look ahead to the 2014 Orioles season, I can foresee the team's rotation getting a potentially big boost by someone already on the staff. Can Kevin Gausman be a real X factor for the 2014 Orioles? Gausman made just five starts for the Orioles last season with 15 appearances out of the bullpen. While some fans look at the stat sheet and see a player that is not yet ready for consistent major league success, I think back to a pair of starts the 22-year-old right-hander made in June that...

If the Orioles are going to bolster their rotation, which is a primary goal of executive vice president Dan Duquette, they'll probably need to re-sign Scott Feldman or pull off a trade. Their free-agent options are severely limited. They won't spend big and they're not enthused by the market. The Cubs seem determined to deal pitcher Jeff Samardzija - a report on CSNChicago.com listed the chances at 99 percent - which automatically links him to the Orioles. There's no way around...

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving complete with some mix of family, food and football. If you're anything like me, you'll be munching away on turkey and stuffing for the next dozen meals or so, thanks to bags upon bags of leftovers that are now jammed into my fridge. Not that I'm in any way complaining. I think I could eat stuffing all day, every day. The market for left-handed relievers was fairly deep when free agency began a little less than a month ago, but over the last few...

They say time heals all wounds, but when it comes to baseball and the Orioles-Yankees rivalry, that may not be completely true. It was announced this week that former Oriole Mike Mussina's name will appear on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot for the first time and, at some point, it appears Mussina could get the call to the Hall. But if elected, will he go in as an Oriole or z Yankee, and how will fans of the club feel about that? Even after all this time, I don't think the wound of...

Is everyone eating turkey omelets and turkey hash this morning? The Orioles made it through Thanksgiving without being attached to a new trade rumor. For that, I am thankful. Monday is the deadline for tendering contracts to arbitration-eligible players, and executive vice president Dan Duquette indicated last week that all nine Orioles will receive offers - outfielders Nolan Reimold and Steve Pearce, left-handers Troy Patton and Brian Matusz, first baseman Chris Davis, catcher Matt Wieters,...

Right-hander Aaron Barrett made a huge jump this season. Going from low Single-A to Double-A doesn't happen every day. But Barrett showed he belonged with an amazing start to finish, displaying closer stuff, beginning all the way back in the 2012 Arizona Fall League. It all came together this month when the 25-year-old Barrett got one of those phone calls he had dreamed about. His contract was selected for placement on the Nationals' 40-man roster. "It is definitely something that I have...

Everyone has Thanksgiving traditions, and for most families, those include sitting around the television watching football. On a day where football takes center stage, I thought we'd throw it back to a moment that reminds us of our love and passion for baseball. What better way to do so than with a walk-off home run? With the Nationals holding onto hope in the playoff race, Bryce Harper gave D.C. a reason to keep buzzing with a game-winning shot. Relive the excitement in the video below and...

Earlier this week, Dan Duquette stated that the Orioles will offer Nolan Reimold a contract. In 2014, Reimold will compete for a job in left field and to serve as the right-handed designated hitter. With that said, that leaves us wondering if the O's will re-sign free agent Nate McLouth, who played in 146 games last season and acted as the Birds' go-to left fielder. This week, we're showing McLouth some love by throwin' it back to one of his best defensive plays from 2013. Your browser...

A very Happy Thanksgiving to everyone out there, from those around here in the DMV, to those a bit further from the district, to those checking in from abroad looking to get their Nationals fix on this holiday morning. Hope your day is filled with lots of great food, quality time with family and friends, and tryptophan-induced naps. A Cowboys loss wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, either. Also, Happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate. The festivities came a bit early this year, but that...

It wouldn't be the holidays without a movie classic and its endless sequels. On this day, I'm thankful for my family and friends, my loyal readers, a paycheck every two weeks, GNC, Biceps Day, YouTube, the RedZone Channel, "Modern Family" reruns, "Anchorman 2," expired restraining orders, dirty martinis, front-close bras, Liberatore's wine-tasting dinners and "Because You Asked." With three NFL games today, I may as well get in the spirit and tackle the same questions that keep...