The Orioles still haven't announced who will serve as their bullpen coach next season, but I'm told that they could make the hire on Monday. Bill Castro, who moved from bullpen coach to pitching coach on Aug. 15 after Rick Adair took a personal leave of absence, hasn't been contacted by the club. Neither has Scott McGregor, who replaced Castro in the bullpen. Castro was hired as bullpen coach prior to the 2012 season after spending 37 years in the Milwaukee Brewers organization as a...

Could the Orioles have any interest in free agent outfielder Carlos Beltran? What about first baseman/DH Kendrys Morales? Or outfielder Shin-Soo Choo? What about pitchers Hiroki Kuroda or Ervin Santana? Well, if the O's do have any interest in any of those players - and a few others - it will cost a first-round draft pick to sign them. The players I mentioned and eight others were given qualifying offers by their current clubs. If they turn down those one-year offers - and we'll know that...

Beginning next spring, two scholarships will be awarded in memory of Mike Flanagan, the former Orioles pitcher, coach, front office executive and MASN broadcaster who took his own life in August 2011. So far, according to a Facebook page dedicated to the effort, more than $5,000 has been raised to fund the scholarships. One scholarship will be given to a graduating varsity baseball player at Manchester Memorial High School in Manchester, N.H., Flanagan's alma mater, who has progressed through...

Want to add a free agent starter this offseason? You're going to have to back up a few Brinks trucks to land your guy. Or maybe a few dozen. FOXsports.com's Ken Rosenthal is reporting that free agent righty Ervin Santana is seeking more than $100 million on a five-year deal, while right-hander Ricky Nolasco is looking for a five-year contract worth $80 million. This is the same Ervin Santana who pitched to a 5.16 ERA and allowed a whopping 39 home runs, most in the major leagues, in 2012....

If you're actually concerned that an entire day and night will pass without more baseball awards being distributed, you can stop rocking back and forth and scratching your arms. The Rawlings Platinum Glove Award winners will be unveiled during the Gold Glove Award ceremony at The Plaza Hotel in New York City. This is the third year that Rawlings is handing out platinum winners in each league. Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre won the first two in the American League, and Cardinals...

Earlier in the offseason, the Orioles tied the Royals for the most Gold Glove Awards with three winners. On Wednesday, the Birds stood alone in the majors with the most Silver Sluggers. Adam Jones, J.J. Hardy and Chris Davis all took home the hardware, marking the first time that three Orioles had ever earned the honor in the same season. Another award was given to an Oriole yesterday, as Manny Machado was named the Orioles' 2013 Wilson Defensive Player of the Year. Rumors, speculation and...

Although the offseason is in full swing, the Nationals have continued to make national headlines with the hiring of a new manager and a shortstop being recognized for his bat. While the Nats had been expected to hire Matt Williams, he was officially introduced last Friday. On Wednesday, Ian Desmond was honored with his second consecutive Silver Slugger Award. While those were the biggest stories around the Nats this week, there are many other headlines that you may have missed. Go to...

The Orioles have a few pitchers who have done well pitching for the first-place Surprise Saguaros in the Arizona Fall League West division. Among them is 22-year-old left-hander Tim Berry, a 50th-round draft pick in 2009. After pitching well for Single-A Frederick this year, Berry is 2-0 with a 2.03 ERA in six games in the AFL. Over 13 1/3 innings, he has allowed 11 hits with three walks, 10 strikeouts and a .229 average against. O's director of player development Brian Graham recently saw...

Another day brings another awards show on MLB Network, and more recognition for Manny Machado's defensive excellence at third base. Machado was just named the Orioles' 2013 Wilson Defensive Player of the Year. Every team has one recipient. Last week, Machado became the first Orioles third baseman since Brooks Robinson in 1975 to win a Rawlings Gold Glove Award. He also was the only Oriole to win a Fielding Bible Award. Machado committed 13 errors in 484 chances this season. He registered...

This season, Ian Desmond made $3.8 million in what was his first year of salary arbitration, ranking him 17th among major league shortstops when it came to 2013 salary. Through the arbitration process, Desmond's salary will likely almost double in 2014, as another strong season (which included his second straight Silver Slugger Award and being named a finalist for a Gold Glove) leaves him in line for another hefty raise. MLBTradeRumors.com's Matt Swartz has projected that Desmond will earn...