Brian Graham is not new to the Orioles. But as of Jan. 25, he has a new position with the Orioles. Graham was promoted from coordinator of minor league instruction to director of player development. Graham is now the man in charge of the Orioles' minor leagues. Graham joins a newcomer to the organization, Kent Qualls, who has been named director of minor league operations, as the top brass heading up the minors. Graham is beginning his sixth season with the Orioles and has been a...

Mychal Givens, the Orioles' second-round draft pick in 2009, is officially moving to the mound. After playing three seasons in the club's minor leagues as an infielder, Givens will begin his life as a pitcher when spring training begins in Sarasota, a club official confirmed this afternoon. Givens, drafted 54th overall by the club out of Plant High School in Tampa, Fla., and signed to an $800,000 bonus, had just not progressed much as a hitter. Save for a few at-bats, he had not advanced...

With the news that right-hander Chris Carpenter is unlikely to pitch in 2013, one of the toughest pitchers in the majors the past 15 years might be close to retirement. Carpenter has pitched in 350 games with 332 starts, winning 144 games with a consistent .605 winning percentage. How consistent? According to Baseball Reference, Carpenter's winning percentage was exactly .605 for the first half (75-49) and the second half (69-45) of each season. Incredibly, he also had a better winning...

The Orioles today announced that they have claimed infielder Russ Canzler off waivers from the Yankees. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, catcher Luis Martinez has been designated for assignment. Canzler, 26, is a career .278/.347/.472 hitter in nine minor league seasons with the Cubs, Tampa Bay and Cleveland. He has hit .271/.304/.396 in 29 major league games in 2011 (Tampa Bay) and 2012 (Cleveland). In 31 major league plate appearances against left-handed pitching, Canzler has hit...

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette has added a hitter one week before pitchers and catchers report to spring training, claiming first baseman/outfielder Russ Canzler off waivers from the New York Yankees. The Orioles also designated catcher Luis Martinez for assignment to make room for Canzler on the 40-man roster. Canzler, 26, is a career .278/.347/.472 hitter in nine minor league seasons with the Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Indians. He's hit .271/.304/.396 in 29...

Podcaster, administrative assistant at Google and saxophone player. You could label 30-year-old Sam Dingman a Renaissance man. And this offseason, the 30-year-old is looking to add another title to his resume: MLB Fan Cave Dweller. Since 2010, the MLB Fan Cave has given a few baseball die-hards the opportunity to spend a season in its event space in New York City, with their ultimate goal being to watch every single major league game of the season. Participants create blog posts, videos and...

Of all the positions on the diamond, the Nationals might have the most organizational depth at catcher. Kurt Suzuki and Wilson Ramos appear poised to make up one of the most talented catching duos at the major league level, and waiting in the wings on the farm, the Nats have Jhonatan Solano, Sandy Leon and Carlos Maldonado, ready to step in if needed. But with Ramos coming back from major knee surgery, the Nationals aren't willing to take any chances. That's why they've signed veteran...

Just a little over a year after being shipped out to Oakland as part of the Gio Gonzalez trade, Brad Peacock finds himself switching organizations yet again. Peacock, the former Nationals right-hander who was a key piece in the Gonzalez deal last January, was traded to the Astros last night in a five-player deal that will send infielder Jed Lowrie to the Athletics. The trade threw a minor wrench into Peacock's plans to make a cross-country drive from West Palm Beach, Fla. to Phoenix, where...

There were some very interesting responses over the weekend to my latest edition of "10 questions for O's fans." I was a little surprised by some of the responses to the question about pitchers Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman. I asked readers that if they believe one or both could make the major league rotation this year, when might that happen? The surprise was in the restraint many of you showed by responding they would not get there until September, if then. Here some numbers from the...

While wondering why Vegas has made the Ravens a 4 1/2-point underdog at their own parade ... As we continue to wait for the Orioles to announce the signing of Jair Jurrjens to a one-year contract, it's fair to wonder whether they ordered more tests on his surgically repaired right knee as part of his physical. Otherwise, they're really studying those results while making absolutely certain that he's healthy before completing the deal. Jurrjens underwent arthroscopic surgery for a torn...