Dan Haren is heading back west. After a roller-coaster 2013 season with the Nationals, the 33-year-old California native reportedly has agreed to a one-year, $10 million contract with the Dodgers that includes an option for 2015 that vests if Haren pitches 180 innings. The deal, first reported by FOXSports.com, is obviously contingent on Haren passing a physical. Haren went 10-14 with a 4.67 ERA with the Nats this season, allowing 28 home runs in 169 2/3 innings, but after coming off the...

This may surprise you, but the position in the Orioles' minor leagues that may currently feature the most depth is catcher. There was a time a year or two ago when we certainly could not say that. But now the Orioles may have five catchers among their best 25 or 30 prospects. This comes after a season where two catchers - Caleb Joseph and Michael Ohlman - had big years on offense, and the club drafted three other high school catchers, all of which are already showing some promise. Among the...

Bill Castro most likely will be out of baseball next season after spending 37 years with the Brewers as a player, scout and coach, and the last two with the Orioles as bullpen coach. Here's hoping that the man has hobbies. Castro replaced Rick Adair as pitching coach on Aug. 15. The Orioles offered him a scouting position, which he turned down, and he didn't bother to seek a major league job. Castro says he found out too late that the Orioles weren't going to retain him as bullpen coach...

Earlier this week here I wrote about the Scott Boras factor. Baseball's most well-known and powerful agent is a key guy when it comes to the Orioles this winter. If the club seeks a contract extension with Chris Davis and/or Matt Wieters, they'll be dealing with Boras, who represents both players. Years ago, there was talk that the Orioles and Boras had a frosty relationship. If that was true then, it certainly doesn't appear to be any issue now. Former Orioles executive Jim Duquette...

The Nationals officially cut ties with Yunesky Maya this weekend, releasing the right-hander who general manager Mike Rizzo viewed as a top-of-the-rotation type of starter when he signed the Cuban defector to a four-year, $6 million deal in 2010. Maya's release was first reported by Baseball America's Matt Eddy. This move ends the Nationals' experiment with the 32-year-old righty, a guy who the Nats trumpeted as a major international signing a little more than three years ago. Maya had...

New Yankees catcher Brian McCann is a career .417/.475/.528 hitter in 10 games against the Orioles. He's 5-for-9 with two RBIs and two walks at Camden Yards. Be sure to give him a warm welcome next season. McCann batted only .231 with three home runs against left-handers last season, but he's 2-for-3 with a double and home run against Brian Matusz. Small sample size. McCann also is 2-for-3 with a home run and two walks against right-hander Bud Norris, in case you were wondering. McCann...

While wondering why the Terps tried to freeze a kicker named Freese ... So much for manager Buck Showalter's "prediction" that catcher Matt Wieters would be wearing pinstripes in two years. If so, he's going to find someone else behind the plate. According to multiple reports, the Yankees have reached agreement with free-agent catcher Brian McCann on a five-year, $85 million deal that includes a sixth-year $15 million vesting option. The $17 million per season average is the highest...

Want a look into Matt Williams' house in Arizona? Interested in taking a peek at his closet, where he's started to run out of room for all his shoes? Want to know how (or why) Matt and his wife Erika can call or text message their oven? Sure you do. Erika gave a tour of the Williams home, which took three years to build and design, to Channel 3 in Arizona, and if you care to know how the Nationals' new manager lives when out in Paradise Valley, you'll enjoy this video tour. For what...

Not that anyone asked for my opinion, but any trade proposal involving Orioles catcher Matt Wieters must bring back a frontline starting pitcher. It just does. Says so right here. An established left fielder would be nice. Someone who can get on base. Someone who can steal a base. Someone who can clear the bases on occasion, though the Orioles didn't lack for power this year. That hole at second base needs to be filled. A left-handed designated hitter is on executive vice president Dan...

It was a week ago today that the Surprise Saguaros charged the mound to celebrate their Arizona Fall League championship. It was a championship won with a big Oriole flavor. The Surprise team was managed by Double-A Bowie skipper Gary Kendall. Short-season Single-A Aberdeen pitching coach Alan Mills was one of two pitching coaches on the team that also featured eight O's prospects. For the winning players and coaches, it was a wonderful baseball experience and they'll get championship rings...