LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette told reporters today that the Orioles made their first offer to a free agent since arriving at the Swan and Dolphin Resort for the Winter Meetings. However, he added that it wasn't a closer. Duquette noted the speculation earlier today about Grant Balfour, without mentioning the reliever by name, and described it as "pretty far out ahead of the market." Duquette added that the Orioles have "a lot more work to do" in...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla - One of the most interesting storylines that will play out when the Nationals arrive at Space Coast Stadium for their first spring training under new skipper Matt Williams is his evolution as a manager. While Williams has said he wants to be aggressive - playing to players' strengths, forcing things on offense and making opponents defend against his club - Williams is pretty much a blank canvas as a manager. Yes, there was some fill-in work at Double-A Mobile, and a...

The Orioles today announced that they have signed free agent right-hander Ryan Webb to a two-year contract. Webb, 27, spent 2013 with Miami, posting a 2.91 ERA and setting career-highs in games (66), innings pitched (80.1 - 4th most among NL relievers), strikeouts (54) and WHIP (1.21). He also posted a 2.65 ERA (37.1IP, 11ER) and 4.67 K/BB ratio in 37.1 innings in the second half. Originally selected by the A's in the 4th round of the 2004 First Year Player Draft, Webb has averaged a 1.99...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - There has been a lot of chatter here at the Swan and Dolphin Resort, home to the Winter Meetings, linking various teams to Nationals relievers Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen. There have been reports that the Cubs were interested in both right-handers. I had heard that the Tigers were kicking the tires on Clippard and Storen. But Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said that a lot of the trade rumors swirling around Clippard and Storen are overblown. In other words,...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Not only did the Orioles lose 50 saves, their leadoff hitter and a couple of starters with the departures of Jim Johnson, Nate McLouth, Scott Feldman and - at least for now - free agent Jason Hammel, they also lost players deemed as good clubhouse guys and leaders. It's about more than statistics. "You can't put that in sabermetrics or whatever they're calling it," said manager Buck Showalter. "I know one thing, our clubhouse guys took a hit because they were...

LAKE BUENVA VISTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter is aware the subject of the team's budget has been a big topic over the last few days. During a video interview today with MASNSports.com, Showalter was asked about the club's 2014 payroll. "I without doubt think we have plenty of budget," Showalter said. "I don't even think about that at all. That's not my job. A lot of teams have eliminated that excuse. That excuse will not creep into this organization. It's not one and...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter spent about 30 minutes today talking to reporters during his scheduled interview session. The topics included Brian Roberts' possible return, Nick Markakis' candidacy as the leadoff hitter next season, the decision to tender a contract to Nolan Reimold, the Rule 5 draft and fan unrest over the lack of a big move in free agency or the trade front. Just not in that order. Let's get to it. Ryan Flaherty seems to be the leading candidate...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Reporters just got done with a 30-minute chat with Nationals manager Matt Williams here off to the side of the media work room at the Swan and Dolphin Resort, and while there wasn't any real breaking news that came out of the session, we got plenty of interesting tidbits on how Williams plans to manage his team and what he's accomplished so far. I'll have full quotes and more in-depth stuff in a bit, once I get a chance to sift through everything. But I wanted to...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - New Nationals manager Matt Williams said Tuesday that right-hander Stephen Strasburg, who underwent surgery to remove bone chips from his throwing elbow in late October, will be "full go" for spring training. "His rehab has gone phenomenal," Williams said while addressing reporters at the Winter Meetings. "Everything checks out from a medical standpoint. He is ready to go, day one spring training. Full go." Strasburg's surgery, performed in Los Angeles, caused...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Nationals are a team generating a bunch of chatter in the lobby here at the Swan and Dolphin Resort, with a few players being discussed by various teams as potential trade targets. Yahoo! Sports reported yesterday that the Nationals are shopping Danny Espinosa, and while there are teams that have had conversations with the Nats about Espinosa, I've been told that general manager Mike Rizzo is not actively looking to deal the 26-year-old infielder. As one source...