Checking in on a few topics from this week and looking ahead to spring training. Yes, he is the King. The baseball world was buzzing for a while Thursday with the report that Felix Hernandez may be about to sign a seven-year, $175 million dollar deal with the Seattle Mariners. There are some reports out of Seattle now that say those terms may not be accurate. If they are, that's a $25 million average annual value, topping a mark for pitchers that had been set by Zach Greinke's six-year,...

If the Orioles lose Trayvon Robinson on a waiver claim, they may have another outfielder to take his place in the minors. The Orioles signed Kyle Hudson to a minor league deal yesterday. His contract doesn't include a spring training invite, so he'll report to the Twin Lakes Park complex. Kent Qualls, the Orioles' new director of minor league operations, confirmed the signing today when reached by phone. "Some of our people in the organization like him a lot, "Qualls said. "He's...

The Orioles today announced that they have claimed right-hander Todd Redmond off waivers from Cincinnati. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, outfielder Trayvon Robinson has been designated for assignment. Redmond, 27, is 71-61 with a 3.58 ERA (1185.1IP, 471ER) in 207 career minor leagues games (200 starts) in eight seasons in the Pittsburgh, Atlanta and Cincinnati organizations. He went a combined 8-11 with a 3.63 ERA (148.2IP, 60ER) in 26 games (25 starts) with Triple-A Louisville and...

The Washington Nationals announced today that single game tickets for the 2013 season will go on sale to the general public on Thursday, February 28 at 10:00 a.m. Tickets may be purchased online at nationals.com/tickets, by calling 888.632.NATS (6287) or by visiting the Nationals Park Main Box Office at Half and N Streets, SE*. 2013 Season Plan Holders and Nationals Insiders will have the opportunity to purchase single game tickets before they go on sale to the public through exclusive...

The Orioles have claimed pitcher Todd Redmond off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds, a team source confirmed. Redmond, 27, made his only major league appearance last season in a start for the Reds, allowing four runs and seven hits, and walking five batters, in 3 1/3 innings. He was 8-11 with a 3.63 ERA in 26 games with Triple-A Gwinnett and Louisville. Redmond is 71-61 with a 3.58 ERA in eight minor league seasons and 207 games, including 200 starts. The Pirates selected Redmond in the 39th...

Left-handed-hitting Brian Goodwin made a big jump last season from low Single-A Hagerstown to Double-A Harrisburg. The 22-year-old continued his baseball education in the Arizona Fall League and was a standout in the Rising Stars game. Goodwin homered, doubled and had two RBIs in the East's 9-4 win over the West. Harrisburg manager Matt Lecroy said the number of reps, at-bats and games Goodwin played last season against good competition were invaluable in the youngster's quest to get to the...

We all know the major storylines involving the Nationals' pitchers this spring. How will Gio Gonzalez react to all the off-the-field issues regarding his linkage to Biogenesis, the anti-aging clinic that allegedly supplied performance-enhancing drugs to major league players? Can Dan Haren stay healthy and showcase the form he displayed over his last seven starts last season, when he pitched to a 2.76 ERA? How many questions about "The Shutdown" will Stephen Strasburg field before getting...

Four more days. Spring training is almost here, with pitchers and catchers set to report Tuesday. One player that will not be reporting to Sarasota is pitcher Joe Saunders, who reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with the Mariners last night. With Saunders now a Mariner, Jake Arrieta and Jair Jurrjens will be vying for a rotation spot. On Monday, the Orioles agreed to terms with Mark Hendrickson, who converted to a sidearm delivery this offseason. The Birds also signed Joel Pineiro to a...

With spring training just a few days away, this past week was a rather slow one for the Nationals. However, there were a few minor league signings this week, in addition to positive news regarding recoveries from injuries, that made headlines. The Nats' top pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft, Lucas Giolito, is recovering from his Tommy John surgery in August, as he has started tossing a baseball again. Catcher Wilson Ramos tweeted that he was close to being ready to play after he was...

Never say never. Apparently, the Orioles won't be re-signing left-hander Joe Saunders, who reached agreement last night on a one-year deal with the Seattle Mariners, according to FoxSports.com. It's believed that the Orioles also had a one-year offer on the table, and their ballpark is much closer to Virginia, where Saunders was born and played in high school and college. So what gives? Money, perhaps? A preference for the moose mascot? The assumption that Felix Hernandez will pick up...