It's the first week of December, and there are obviously no major league games right now. However, there has been so much news surrounding baseball and the Orioles this week. Huge deals have occurred, including Robinson Cano to the Mariners and Jacoby Ellsbury to the Yankees. Within the Orioles organization, there have been many moves as well, highlighted by Jim Johnson being traded to the A's, Nate McLouth signing with the Nationals and Jemile Weeks coming to Charm City from Oakland. Here...

I've been asked about possible interest in left-hander Randy Wolf. The Orioles weren't among the teams that watched him work out last week. Doesn't sound like there's any interest. FOX Sports reported that Wolf auditioned for eight teams as he attempts a comeback from ligament-reconstructive surgery in September 2012. He didn't pitch this year. Wolf, 36, went 2-0 with a 5.28 ERA in five games (two starts) with the Orioles after signing as a free agent on Aug. 31, 2012. Earlier this...

Handicapping the Nationals' minor league coaching staff selections for 2014 is fairly easy considering the organization's loyalty to its managers and coaches at each level over the years. None of these appointments have been officially announced yet, but likely will be solidified by the end of the year. There are openings at the top levels with managers needed at Double-A and Triple-A. Double-A Harrisburg manager Matt Lecroy has already been announced as the Nationals' new bullpen coach,...

The Orioles made another move to bolster their bullpen, agreeing to terms with former Marlins right-hander Ryan Webb on a two-year, $4.5 million deal, according to an industry source. He will take his physical next week in Baltimore. Webb, who turns 28 in February, was non-tendered by the Marlins after going 2-6 with a 2.91 ERA in 66 games. He allowed 70 hits, walked 27 and struck out 54 in 80 1/3 innings. Webb, a fourth-round pick of the Athletics in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft, made...

Washington Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche will take part in the 2013 USO Holiday Tour led by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey. Joining him will be Grammy award winning singer/songwriter Bridget Kelly, former New England Patriots offensive tackle and three-time Super Bowl champion Matt Light, actor/comedian Thomas "Nephew Tommy" Miles, stars of A&E's hit reality show "Duck Dynasty" Jep and Willie Robertson and former correspondent on NBC's "The Voice"...

Second baseman Robinson Cano, far and away the top free agent in this year's class, flew to Seattle yesterday and reportedly received a nine-year, $225 million deal from the Mariners, according to CBSSports.com. Anyone still want Cano coming to D.C. if it's at that price? The Mariners' offer is one that tops the Yankees' largest projected proposal to Cano by two years and $50 million, leaving Seattle with what's believed to be the top offer on the table by a wide margin. As of right...

Jemile Weeks is trying to learn as much as he can about Baltimore before joining his new teammates at FanFest and in spring training. But he's going to need more time. "All I've gotten so far is Charm City and the Birdland thing that's going on," he said last night during our phone conversation. "I've still got to go out and explore the city." The trade that unfolded Monday night is still fresh, and Weeks joked that he was doing his best to answer my questions and be as helpful as...

It was big news earlier this week when free agent outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury went from the Red Sox to the Yankees. He agreed to a seven-year, $153 million dollar deal with New York with a 2021 option at $16 million. That is a whopper of a deal. I think the Yankees got a heckuva player, but paid way too big a price. There is a reason that his own team, which has some of its own very deep pockets, didn't offer Ellsbury that much. I can only imagine the outrage in Baltimore if an Orioles star...

The Orioles are likely to find their next closer on the free agent market. Executive vice president Dan Duquette has referred to the number of experienced late-inning specialists "on the board." One of those names dropped off it this morning. The Red Sox reportedly have agreed to terms with Edward Mujica on a two-year, $9.5 million contract, with the idea of having him serve as Koji Uehara's set-up man for the 2014 season. Not a bad price, especially if he closes in 2015. The Orioles...

Orioles pitching prospect Dylan Bundy recently began a light throwing program in Florida and he is ahead of schedule in his return from June surgery. In the last few days, Bundy began a light tossing program of 25 throws from about 60 feet every other day. His rehab throwing program will ramp up a bit more in January when he makes more throws at longer distances. Bundy underwent ligament-reconstructive surgery performed by Dr. James Andrews on June 27. Dr. Andrews and O's minor league...