The Nationals' biggest investment this offseason in Dominican talent, Anderson Franco, played very well in his debut at fall instructional league last month in Viera, Fla. Ben Badler of Baseball America reported that Franco signed with the Nationals for $900,000 last August. Franco is 6-foot-2, 190 lb., power-hitting third baseman from the Dominican Republic. The 16-year-old was rated the No. 29 international prospect by Baseball America. Here is a video of Franco at a workout, courtesy of...

The Orioles took care of another order of business this afternoon, declining the $3 million option on infielder Alexi Casilla's contract for 2014. Today is the deadline for teams to exercise or decline options. The Orioles declined left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada's $5 million option on Saturday. Casilla receives a $200,000 buyout and becomes a free agent. The Orioles selected Casilla, 29, off waivers from the Twins on Nov. 2 to provide depth at second base and shortstop. He appeared in 62...

The Orioles led all major league organizations today as three of their minor league players were named Topps Players of the Year in the annual George M. Trautman Awards. Catcher Caleb Joseph of Double-A Bowie was honored for his play in the Eastern League, with catcher Michael Ohlman of Single-A Frederick winning for the Carolina League and first baseman Trey Mancini of short-season Single-A Aberdeen the winner in the New York-Penn League. The honorees were announced today by Minor League...

Hundreds of members of the Brooklyn O'Malley Boys and Girls Club and the local community now have access to the latest technology thanks to an extensive renovation of the club's Technology and Learning Center. The project, which began in July, was made possible through a $75,000 donation from OriolesREACH, a community program funded by the Orioles Charitable Foundation, and Boys and Girls Club alumnus Adam Jones. Jones will join youth from the club in a ribbon cutting ceremony at the...

Remember when the Nationals shipped David DeJesus to the Rays in August just four days after they had acquired the veteran outfielder from the Cubs, and Nats general manager Mike Rizzo said that he'd be open to reuniting with DeJesus this offseason should he hit the free agent market? Yeah, that won't be happening. The Rays have reportedly picked up DeJesus' $6.5 million option for 2014 and are working on a new two-year deal, according to the Tampa Bay Times, keeping the friendly, speedy,...

Today is the final day for teams to reinstate players from the 60-day disabled list. It's also the day that the Orioles are expected to decline the $3 million option on infielder Alexi Casilla's contract, removing him from the 40-man roster and making him a free agent. Casilla will receive a $200,000 buyout as a nice parting gift. No word on whether he also gets a lifetime supply of Rice-A-Roni, the San Francisco treat. Today is also the last day that teams may tender qualifying offers to...

There is no doubt that team on-base percentage is one offensive stat where the Orioles need to improve. Their .313 mark last year - which actually ranked just ahead of their .311 mark in 2012 - was behind the league average of .320. Boston led the American League in team OBP at .349 and Detroit was second at .346. The O's were fourth in the league in runs scored, but 10th in OBP and, moving forward, that stat needs to improve. Will that improvement need to come from players who are not...

I might have missed Friday's press conference where the Nationals introduced Matt Williams as their new manager, but I didn't miss the quotes where Williams discussed how he wants the Nats to be aggressive under his watch. From the sound of things, Williams wants to put pressure on the opponent, be it on the basepaths, at the plate or in the field. The more that the Nationals can press the teams they're playing, the more that they can force mistakes and gain an edge. That's the way...

With Matt LeCroy moving on to become the Nationals bullpen coach, there will be some alterations in the minor league coaching lineup. I have been told there will be some changes, but not a lot of new faces. The Nationals have made a habit of promoting from within and I expect that to be the case this upcoming season. LeCroy told me he has been ecstatic the past few days after being offered the position. He said he has faced Matt Williams as a player, but has not coached with him. However, he...

Henry Urrutia and Michael Ohlman were two of the better hitters in the Orioles minor leagues this season and both have continued to hit well in the Arizona Fall League for the first-place Surprise Saguaros. Urrutia is batting .364 with two homers, eight RBIs, a .568 slugging percentage and .997 OPS in 12 games. Of note, he has five extra-base hits in his last seven games with three doubles and two homers after producing just one extra-base hit in 58 at-bats with the Orioles. After seeing...