Former Orioles third baseman Jeff Manto is back in the organization. The Orioles have hired Manto as minor league hitting coordinator. He replaces Mike Boulanger, who will move into an amateur and professional scouting role in 2014. Manto served as the hitting coach for the Chicago White Sox from 2012-13. He was fired on Sept. 28 following a 99-loss season. Boulanger will scout in the Midwest and handle some professional coverage. Manto has strong ties to Orioles director of player...

Orioles fans of a variety of ages and abilities will enjoy a week filled with once-in-a-lifetime experiences at the team's 2014 Dream Week. Held at the Orioles' two-site complex in Sarasota, Florida (Ed Smith Stadium and the Buck O'Neil Baseball Complex) from January 26 to February 1, 2014, Dream Week participants will receive full major league treatment, playing daily doubleheader intrasquad games and receiving instruction from former Orioles including Mike Boddicker, Don Buford, Rick...

As I mentioned yesterday, the Nationals did not issue a qualifying offer to either of their two free agents this offseason - Dan Haren or Chad Tracy. Again, no surprise there. Nine major league teams did issue qualifying offers to a total of 13 free agents yesterday, however, meaning we will see a bunch of guys hit the free agent market with their value being affected by the draft pick compensation that is now attached to them. The Red Sox and Yankees both issued three qualifying offers, and...

Nationals center field prospect Brian Goodwin crushed a two-run shot in Mesa's 5-4 rain-shortened win over Salt River in Arizona Fall League play on Monday. Goodwin hit the two-run homer in the second to begin the scoring for Mesa, cutting the Rafters' lead to 3-2. His homer came off of Salt River starter Grayson Garvin. Goodwin also stole his third base of the fall season. He finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs and is now hitting .317. Left-hander Matt Purke started for Mesa. He went four...

While wondering why teammates of Dolphins offensive lineman Jonathan Martin didn't intervene as he was subjected to threats and racial slurs from guard Richie Incognito... Not much to update on the Orioles' search for a bullpen coach. I'm hearing that an announcement could come next week, and that Bill Castro and Scott McGregor are under consideration. "We're still working on that," said executive vice president Dan Duquette, who didn't want to offer a timetable. Castro and McGregor...

The Orioles today announced that they have selected the contract of left-hander Chris Jones from Triple-A Norfolk. Jones, 25, was acquired from Atlanta on April 10 in exchange for RHP LUIS AYALA. In 36 games (two starts) in 2013, he went 4-4 with a 2.85 ERA (79.0IP, 25ER) and 54 strikeouts for Double-A Mississippi (Atlanta - one game), Bowie (four) and Triple-A Norfolk (31). Jones held left-handed hitters to a line of .196/.291/.268 in 128...

He led all Orioles minor leaguers in homers in four of the last five seasons, including the last three in a row. But infielder Brandon Waring realizes that probably won't happen again in 2014. After hitting 119 homers over the last five seasons on the O's farm, the 27-year-old Waring officially became a minor league free agent Monday afternoon and expects to sign with another organization for next season. "Honestly, I think I need a change of scenery," Waring said yesterday. "I've spent...

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis lost out twice to Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera in the Players Choice Awards, which were announced tonight on MLB Network. Cabrera was a repeat winner as the American League's Outstanding Player and the overall Player of the Year. Davis was nominated in both categories after leading the majors with 53 home runs, 138 RBIs and 370 total bases. He posted a .286/.370/.634 line with 42 doubles and a triple, and also was nominated for a Gold Glove. Cabrera...

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed tonight that Triple-A Norfolk left-hander Chris Jones has been added to the 40-man roster. The Orioles acquired Jones, 25, from the Atlanta Braves in April for veteran reliever Luis Ayala. Jones posted a 2.57 ERA in four games at Double-A Bowie, and he was 4-4 with a 2.67 ERA in 31 appearances (two starts) with Norfolk, allowing 72 hits, walking 34 and striking out 47 in 70 2/3 innings. "He was very effective getting left-handed...

The Nationals announced this afternoon that they've reinstated both left-hander Ross Detwiler and right-hander Christian Garcia from the 60-day disabled list, putting both hurlers back on the team's 40-man roster. Detwiler missed the last three months of the 2013 season with a herniated disc in his back. He went 2-7 with a 4.04 ERA in 13 starts this season and last pitched on July 3. Detwiler finished the season pitching in instructional league games down in Florida. The Nats liked what...