So in 2014, will Jim Johnson pitch more like the 2012 closer that saved 51-of-54 or the 2013 version that saved 50 of 59? Johnson said it will probably turn out to be somewhere in the middle. "The actual truth is probably a combination between what you saw last year and this year," he said Sunday in the Orioles clubhouse. "Last year was probably a tick up from what was expected and this year was maybe a tick down. So in between these two years I think is probably what to expect." Johnson...

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado received good news today following his visit to orthopedic specialist Dr. James Andrews in Gulf Breeze, Fla. I'm told that Andrews' recommendation matched up with the one provided by the Orioles' medical staff. Machado will rest and continue down the same rehabilitation path for his left knee that the club has laid out for him. Machado, 21, tore the medial patellofemoral ligament in the seventh inning of last Monday's game against the Rays at Tropicana...

As long as I'm looking back on the 2013 season, I'd like to pass along an anecdote from the final road game on Sept. 23 at Tropicana Field. May as well keep it light today. I mentioned that the Orioles let Wei-Yin Chen's interpreter, Tim Lin, deliver the lineup card to home plate before the anthem. Lin was all smiles as he walked back to the dugout, but his look soon changed to one of confusion as players and coaches motioned for him to go back. The four umpires posed for a photo with Lin,...

The season is done. The ballots are in. The Orioles' Chris Davis and Adam Jones are going to appear on American League MVP ballots. The Nationals' Jordan Zimmermann should make some National League Cy Young Award ballots and maybe his teammate, Jayson Werth, will get NL MVP votes as well. The Baseball Writers' Association of America will announce their awards in November, but here's one perspective: * NL Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers is the winner. How could anyone argue with...

Right-hander Taylor Jordan made a solid impression in his first season at the major league level after advancing two levels in 2013. Jordan recovered nicely from Tommy John surgery and got off to a good start with high Single-A Potomac. In six starts, Jordan went 2-1 with a 1.24 ERA with 29 strikeouts and six walks in 36 1/3 innings. After his promotion to Double-A Harrisburg, Jordan continued to pitch well. That is actually an understatement. He went 7-0 with an 0.83 ERA in eight starts...

So now what do we do? Well, here on this blog we quickly transition to offseason mode which sometimes can be pretty fun, too, as we both look back and ahead, speculate on what might happen, report on what does happen and get your input on it all along the way. If you are new here, you should know that our blogs stay active all year long and we never stop talking about the Orioles. MASNSports.com is one place you can always come for O's news and always come to discuss O's news. I want to...

PHOENIX - I'm about to say goodbye to Phoenix and wrap up the 2013 season from a personal perspective, as my flight back east is set to take off in just a little bit. Quickly, I'd like to say thank you to each and every one of you for following along this season, both here on the blog and on Twitter. While it's a long season and the job can be pretty grueling at times, you guys have again helped make things fun. I really enjoy the back-and-forth with everyone, and truly thank you for your...

The Orioles currently hold the 17th pick in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft, but let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. Better to count down the days until pitchers and catchers report. Welcome to Day One of the offseason. It's going to be quiet for a while, with teams pretty much in shutdown mode during the playoffs. It seems like only yesterday that reporters were staking out Luis Ayala's locker in Sarasota, eagerly awaiting confirmation on whether he would pitch in the World...

PHOENIX - The Nationals' 2013 season is over. "World Series or bust" came up bust. One thing that's strange about professional sports is how quickly the focus inevitably turns once a season ends. A week ago, the Nats embarked on a road trip still hoping to pull off a miraculous run into the postseason. Two days ago, they ran out their regular lineup and played a game for their manager, who was trying to reach a statistical milestone. But after yesterday's game, as the Nats packed their...

PHOENIX - Pitching coach Steve McCatty, like most of the Nationals' coaches, has an interesting relationship with Davey Johnson. Johnson will tend to yell a decent amount. He demands plenty from his coaches. He'll complain about mistakes and ask why various moves weren't made. Then, he'll share a laugh with whoever he was yelling at just seconds or minutes earlier, cracking that big smile that we've seen so many times over the last two and a half years. Was today, Johnson's last day as...