NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nationals have found a fifth starter, but as we expected, the pitcher they added has credentials that elevate him beyond how you'd typically picture a No. 5 guy. According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, the Nats have signed right-hander Dan Haren to a one-year, $13 million deal. The contract is pending a physical. Update: I've gotten confirmation from a Nats source that the team has agreed to terms with Haren. The deal is not finalized yet, the source cautioned,...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - We have been here before. Another opinion - a very educated one at that - that the New York Yankees are in for a big fall. This column headline from USA Today's Bob Nightengale says the "Yankees are looking feeble and futile." In the story, Nightengale writes that, "These days, the Yankees have become a poor man's version of the Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates, working the edges of free agency and hoping to fill holes frugally. "The Yankees haven't signed...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Early rumors from Day 2 of the Winter Meetings include the Orioles having interest in Nationals first baseman Michael Morse and Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. The Morse report from FOXSports.com is absolutely correct. However, as I've stated, the interest is lukewarm at the moment. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo told reporters yesterday that he hasn't been contacted by the Orioles. Industry types figure that the Orioles will become more aggressive if Adam LaRoche...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - I'm interested in seeing what this morning's cab ride over to the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center has in store for me. My cab driver yesterday morning asked me whether I was a part of the Southwest Poultry Farmers convention that apparently is in town. I wish. If I get bored talking about pitching in the next three days here in Nashville, maybe I can find that gathering and talk some poultry. When it comes to pitching, the biggest name on the free agent...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Some impressions from day one of the Winter Meetings: * We saw again yesterday that sometimes where there is smoke, fire is nowhere to be found. Dan Duquette readily refuted a report that the Orioles were in "hard" on free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche last night during this video interview we did in his suite here in Nashville. I saw that some fans on social media were skeptical of that and felt the Orioles might be involved with LaRoche more than Duquette was letting...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - I spent the 2011 Winter Meetings stating on a daily basis that the Orioles were going to make a trade. You could count on it. All the signs pointed in that direction. It finally happened with left-hander Dana Eveland, who was acquired from the Dodgers for two minor leaguers. I didn't suggest that it would be a blockbuster. I just said "trade." Well, I'm no longer convinced that the Orioles will pull off a trade here at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A national reporter today quoted an executive from an unidentified team as saying the Orioles were in "hard" in their pursuit of free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche of the Nationals. Not only are the Orioles not in hot pursuit of LaRoche right now, they did not even speak to him or his representative today here at the Winter Meetings. "We like Adam LaRoche, but to say the Orioles are in heavy negotiations with him is not accurate," Orioles executive vice president Dan...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette spent part of today attending a luncheon honoring Fred Ferreira, the club's executive director of international recruiting who was named "International Scout of the Year" by Major League Baseball. He also met, by his estimation, with four executives from other teams and three or four agents. None of the agents represented Orioles who declared for free agency, which includes outfielder Nate McLouth and left-hander Joe...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Thoughts of the biggest stories on the first day of the Winter Meetings at the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center and Hotel. * The Yankees announced that third baseman Alex Rodriguez will have surgery on his left hip and miss the start of the 2013. It's the same story as last season, when he had surgery on his right hip and didn't return until May 8. A-Rod will be out longer this time. The Yankees aren't sure how they will replace A-Rod, but it appears that it will not...

The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms with free-agent left-handed pitcher Zach Duke on a one-year contact. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. A 2009 National League All-Star, Duke is 49-74 with a 4.52 ERA (530 ER/1054.2 IP) in 189 games/168 starts spanning eight big league seasons with Washington, Arizona and Pittsburgh. He has twice posted a double-digit win total (11 in 2009, 10 in '06) and thrice (2006,...