LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette touched on a variety of topics during his daily session with the media. The board behind him that contains the names of specific trade and free-agent targets was turned around to prevent reporters from reading it. We offered to take up a collection as a bribe, but it didn't work. Here's a sampling of Duquette's quotes: (On what he accomplished so far today): "We met with several agents and a couple of teams on the...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - A bit ago, a tweet from Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports came across my laptop saying that the Nationals are currently shopping infielder Danny Espinosa. The timing of this report was a bit ironic, given that Nats general manager Mike Rizzo had just finished his session with local reporters, during which he talked up Espinosa and his ability to serve as a quality backup at multiple infield positions, including third base. This much is clear: the Nationals still hold...

LAKE BUEVA VISTA, Fla. - If the Orioles new pitching coach, Dave Wallace and new bullpen coach Dom Chiti can get more out of some of the club's young pitchers in 2014, they will have proven to be great additions to the O's coaching staff. Any O's fan can recite a long list of former pitching prospects that never lived up to the hype, or had just a brief amount of major league success. The O's need more young pitchers to turn the corner like Chris Tillman, and Wallace and Chiti hope to...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The acquisition of Doug Fister and an impending spring training competition for the fifth starter's spot in the Nationals rotation has created a crunch for the young starting pitchers vying for a spot on the 25-man roster out of spring training. While it wouldn't be surprising to see right-handers Taylor Jordan, Tanner Roark or Nate Karns forming the bulk of the rotation at Triple-A Syracuse should they not make the major league club out of spring training, there's...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Orioles outrighted infielder Cord Phelps to Triple-A Norfolk, leaving 37 players on their 40-man roster. Reliever Ryan Webb will be added Tuesday after passing his physical in Baltimore and signing his two-year, $4.15 million deal. Phelps, 26, was claimed off waivers from the Indians on Nov. 25. He appeared in 53 games for Cleveland over the last three seasons, batting .159/.221/.248 (18-for-113) with two homers and 11 RBIs. He batted .267/.333/.443 with nine...

LAKE BUENVA VISTA, Fla. - In a video interview Monday night, Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette addressed the activity level of the Winter Meetings today for the Orioles and others clubs. Duquette was also asked if the Orioles would consider signing a player that would cost the club its first-round draft pick and discussed his take on possibly signing a player that had previously been suspended for PED use.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Though his starting outfield is set - with Bryce Harper in left field, Denard Span in center field and Jayson Werth in right field - Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo placed a high priority this offseason in adding a dependable left-handed bat off the bench. Rizzo wanted someone versatile enough to play all three positions well, a hitter with enough pop to hit the occasional home run and a guy who could add an element of speed to the aggressive style new manager...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Local reporters met with Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo in his suite at the Swan and Dolphin resort for nearly 20 minutes a bit ago, and we covered a number of topics related to the Nats' efforts to finalize their roster this offseason. It's clear that finding a left-handed reliever is Rizzo's top priority, and the Nats could still look to bolster their depth at a few spots on the bench after adding Nate McLouth, whose signing should be official after he...

The Orioles today announced that they have outrighted infielder Cord Phelps to Triple-A Norfolk. Phelps, 26, was claimed off waivers from Cleveland on November 25. He appeared in 53 games for Cleveland over the last three seasons, batting .159/.221/.248 (18-113) with two homers and 11 RBI. He saw action at second base, third base and shortstop for the Indians. In 2013, the switch-hitter batted .267/.333/.443 (68-255) with nine homers and 46 RBI in 65 games for Triple-A Columbus and appeared...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Orioles' search for a veteran starter with an affordable contract could lead them back to Jason Hammel. I've heard that the Orioles maintain interest in Hammel, provided that he will accept a contract heavy in incentives. That's the latest buzz from the lobby of the Swan and Dolphin Resort. The Indians also have expressed interest in Hammel, according to FOX Sports. However, ESPN reports that the right-hander's price has gone up and the Indians are moving in...