Detroit's Miguel Cabrera won the American League's MVP vote with a 23 first-place votes. But for me, the vote was much closer than that. As a voting member of the Baseball Writers' Association, September was an interesting month of debate and discussion about this award. At one point, I thought I was going to vote for the Orioles' Chris Davis. On the final day of the season, when ballots were due, I figured my vote was going to go to Oakland's Josh Donaldson. And I gave serious...

This morning's blog entry, largely devoted to updating Nolan Reimold's contract situation, drew a significant number of comments regarding Nick Markakis. It happens. And I'm fine with it. Apparently, Mike Francesca of WFAN Radio in New York mentioned how the Orioles and Mets discussed a trade involving Markakis during this week's GM meetings in Orlando. I didn't hear it, but I'll pass along a tweet from someone who did - Andrew Vazzano of SNY. "Mike Francesa said the Mets inquired...

Three Orioles prospects are expected to start tomorrow for Surprise when the Saguaros take on Mesa at 3:10 p.m. eastern in the Arizona Fall League championship game, which will be televised by MLB Network. Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez gets the start on the mound and will likely pitch three innings. Henry Urrutia is expected to start in left field with Jonathan Schoop at shortstop. Rodriguez is 0-1 with a 5.52 ERA in five AFL starts. Urrutia is batting .377 with three homers, 15 RBIs, a .551...

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy has been in the national spotlight this offseason, as he was awarded both Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards. However, the latest place his name has been seen is the rumor mill. Both Hardy and Matt Wieters have been subjects of trade rumors this week. However, Dan Duquette said that the O's "like Hardy and Wieters as core players on our ballclub." While the rumors are mostly speculative at this point, there have been many concrete changes around the...

With the offseason comes trade rumors, waiver news and coaching staff shakeups. The Nationals have experienced all three this week. Both Trent Jewett and Roy Clark left the Nats organization this week to pursue different opportunities. Clark, the Nats' former assistant general manager and vice president of player personnel, has joined the Dodgers, and former third base coach Jewett is now the bench coach of the Seattle Mariners. As it is only November, many offseason trade rumors will...

Who misses Mauro Gomez already? I know I do. I had trouble sleeping last night, knowing he won't be a part of Nationals spring training in a few months. I'll never forget the time that Gomez was claimed off waivers in September and then didn't appear in a single game for a Nationals affiliate. Or the time he didn't get an at-bat within the organization before deciding to go play in Japan. Memories that will last a lifetime. When the Nationals' 2013 season came to a close, it was clear...

Left-hander Sammy Solis demonstrated his ability to come through in a clutch situation again. After all, he started two championship round contests for high Single-A Potomac in September. So, this was old hat. Solis went five strong innings, scattering six hits, allowing one run on no walks with four strikeouts as Mesa downed Glendale 9-3 to advance to the AFL championship game on Saturday. Brian Goodwin went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Adrian Nieto went 1-for-5. But the story...

In recent days, we've seen reports that the Orioles discussed a J.J. Hardy trade with the St. Louis Cardinals and that they are willing to discuss a deal for Matt Wieters. What is going on here? Aren't these two of their best players and players they should look to keep, not trade? As always, such reports bring an avalanche of reaction around Birdland. If nothing else, I guess it shows the fans are hungry to talk baseball and for some, the hot stove season is about as much fun as the...

Woke up this morning and realized we're fresh out of hour-long baseball awards shows. Went back to bed and pulled the covers over my head. Without checking, I'm pretty sure that I missed on only one prediction. I had Boston's John Farrell winning American League Manager of the Year, but he placed second to Cleveland's Terry Francona. As for the Orioles, I did a little research and came up with a few more things that they're "willing" to do: 1. Sell peanuts at Camden Yards 2. Mow the...

Had the Nationals put together a stronger season than they did, and had Jayson Werth not missed a month with a hamstring injury, the veteran outfielder might very well have played a major factor in the National League MVP voting. Instead, Werth finished 13th in the NL MVP vote, which was won by Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen. Werth received 20 points overall, and the highest he came in on any ballot was seventh. The Nats right fielder posted a strong .318/.398/.532 slash line with 25...