We've learned that teams don't win based on how strong their offseason was. The 2013 Blue Jays and 2012 Marlins are recent proof of that. We've learned that teams don't win based on how complete their team appears to be on paper. The 2013 Nationals taught us that. Because of last season's disappointment in D.C., Nats fans probably won't get too excited about anyone declaring them the winner of the winter. It doesn't matter how strong your team looks in December or February. What...

Still nothing to report on the Orioles, as we've moved into a new week and the Winter Meetings begin to disappear in the rearview mirror. John Axford, a fallback option as closer if the Orioles failed to sign Grant Balfour, reportedly has reached agreement with the Indians. The news will come as a relief - so to speak - for fans who didn't think he was a suitable replacement for Jim Johnson. It will disturb others who wonder if the Orioles are going to sign anyone before opening day. Mark...

So who will be playing at shortstop for the Orioles in 2015? Well, we have to get through next year first and J.J. Hardy, who has won two straight Gold Gloves, will be there come April. But what about the future of the position in Baltimore? Will Hardy be there after next season? If not him, does Manny Machado then move to short? During the Winter Meetings, O's executive vice president Dan Duquette said he would like to begin contract extension talks with Hardy later this winter, but they...

Adam LaRoche might be back from his USO Holiday Tour, but he's got a little bit of time to relax before baseball takes over again. Deer season, after all, runs through January 15th. After that, LaRoche will start prepping for the 2014 season, one that he hopes goes better than the one both he and the team put up in 2013. We know how things went from a team perspective, and we know how much LaRoche is itching to follow up a disastrous season on a personal level. The now-34-year-old hit...

While the rest of us wait to find out whether the Orioles re-sign Brian Roberts, bring in another second baseman or choose an in-house candidate, Ryan Flaherty has been working out at Camden Yards and receiving tips on hitting from a member of the organization's Hall of Fame. Flaherty left the frigid weather in Maine and headed to Baltimore. When we spoke over the phone yesterday, he was visiting a friend down in Fort Lauderdale. This guy avoids snow like it's a runner trying to break up a...

Taking a look at some random Orioles notes. These are courtesy of the club's public relations staff from the club's 2013 season summary: * The Orioles drew 2,357,101 fans in 2013, marking the first time since 2005 (2,624,740) the Birds drew over 2.3 million fans. * Adam Jones and J.J. Hardy were two of four players in the majors to win Gold Gloves and Silver Slugger Awards in 2013, joining Arizona's Paul Goldschmidt and St. Louis' Yadier Molina. * The Orioles led the majors with 212 home...

The stack of e-mails and tweets from today's "Wall to Wall Baseball" show on MASN included one about Rule 5 pick Michael Almanzar and how his presence on the 25-man roster may impact Danny Valencia. Almanzar was a curious selection. He's a right-handed hitting corner infielder who isn't regarded as a plus defender, though his arm is plenty strong. Valencia is a right-handed hitting corner infielder - he's going to get more reps at first base in spring training - who actually plays a...

You'll have to forgive Adam LaRoche if he wasn't totally up to date on the moves the Nationals had made over the last week or so. Seated at a table at the Occidental Grill on Pennsylvania Avenue last night, a couple of reporters briefed LaRoche on the Jerry Blevins trade and Corey Brown being designated for assignment, and LaRoche quietly took it all in. It was the first Nats news he had heard since leaving the country to be part of chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin...

The news that the Orioles are interested in signing A.J. Burnett has received mixed reviews, judging by the comments on this blog. And those comments are the only ones I care about. Could I possibly be in the minority of people who think it makes sense for the Orioles? They won't hand out four- or five-year contracts to free agent pitchers. They're not comfortable offering three years to someone like Bronson Arroyo. Many of us are trying to wrap our heads around Phil Hughes getting a...

So who will be in left field for the Orioles next year? Is there a chance it could be Henry Urrutia? Before the first 20 comments start screaming this means the O's won't add an outfielder, it doesn't mean that at all. I am writing this blog speculating and wondering about Urrutia and not because anyone with the organization is handing him that job. That is just not so. So now, having said that, could he be the guy? Urrutia drew plenty of praise for his bat in the Arizona Fall League....