It is not a surprise to me. In fact, I predicted early in the offseason that the theme this winter would be how the Orioles were fortunate to win last year and how it can't happen again. The theory goes that last year everything broke right. The Orioles went 29-9 in one-run games and 16-2 in extra-inning games. What good fortune. But the Orioles outscored their opponents 33-5 in extra innings in 2012. No one talks about that run differential. Opponent batters hit .189 with a .241 slugging...

Pitcher Miguel Gonzalez and his wife are expecting their second child in June. It's never too soon to start wondering about his paternity leave and whether he could miss a key start. Go ahead and check the schedule. Gonzalez, in a phone interview yesterday on WBAL Radio's "Hot Stove Baseball" show, said his goal in 2013 is to pitch 200 innings. He totaled 105 1/3 with the Orioles last season, and another 44 2/3 with Triple-A Norfolk. He also pitched in Mexico over the winter, which is...

If the Rangers were considered a possible landing spot for Adam LaRoche a couple days ago, it's hard to believe they still are today. Texas reportedly has agreed to terms with first baseman/outfielder Lance Berkman on a one-year, $11 million contract, a deal which includes a vesting option for 2014. Berkman, a switch-hitter, gives the Rangers more pop from the left side of the plate and a guy that they can rotate in at a few positions. This deal comes after the Rangers signed left-handed...

Lance Berkman, a free agent first baseman/designated hitter who drew mild interest from the Orioles, has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Texas Rangers, according to FOXSports.com. Berkman reportedly will receive $11 million guaranteed, including a $1 million buyout, and his contract includes a vesting option for 2014. The Orioles kicked the tires on Berkman, but he figured to sign with the Rangers if he decided to put off retirement. He lives in Houston and preferred to stay...

After watching Sean Burnett, Tom Gorzelanny and Michael Gonzalez all leave D.C. to sign elsewhere, the Nationals now have seen another left-handed reliever go off the market, as well. J.P. Howell, a lefty who the Nats had been targeting for a spot toward the back of their bullpen, has agreed to terms with the Dodgers, according to multiple reports. According to ESPN's Buster Olney, Howell's deal with the Dodgers will be worth just under $3 million in base salary with performance...

So what is your take on FanFest and what is your take on getting baseball autographs? With Friday's announcement of the lineups for autographs for FanFest, it's a good time to revisit these topics. Feel free to share some stories and opinions here this weekend. For those FanFest veterans, what do you like most about the day? What advice would you give fans that are going for the first time? How could the Orioles improve the event and make it even more fan-friendly? The aspect of getting...

The Orioles have reached out "informally" to free-agent first baseman/designated hitter Lance Berkman, according to a team official, but there are still doubts whether he's going to play in 2013. This may be another case of kicking the tires, a phrase that never gets old. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported earlier today that the Orioles were one of the teams expressing interest in Berkman, who told the paper that any club pursuing him would have to talk him out of retirement. "I know...

Here it is: the much-anticipated autograph lineup for Orioles FanFest, which will be held Saturday, Jan. 19 at the Baltimore Convention Center from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (with season plan holders getting a jump on the rest of the crowd with a special 10 a.m. admission). It's a nice mix of current Orioles, top prospects and notable alumni from the team's storied past. We've already gone over the steps you need to take to purchase autograph vouchers, which go on sale Saturday, Jan. 5 at 10 a.m at...

The Orioles have added a fourth catcher to their 40-man roster, claiming Luis Martinez off waivers today from the Texas Rangers. Martinez, a 12th-round pick by the San Diego Padres in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, joins Matt Wieters, Taylor Teagarden and Luis Exposito on the Orioles' 40-man roster. Martinez, 27, is a career .272/.362/.364 hitter in six minor league seasons in the Padres (2007-11) and Rangers (2012) systems. In 2012, he batted .270/.350/.386 in 65 games with Triple-A...

The Orioles today announced that they have claimed catcher Luis Martinez off waivers from Texas. Martinez, 27, is a career .272/.362/.364 hitter in six minor league seasons in the San Diego (2007-11) and Texas (2012) systems. In 2012, Martinez batted .270/.350/.386 in 65 games with Triple-A Round Rock and also appeared in 10 games for the Rangers, going 2-for-18. He was originally drafted by San Diego in the 12th round of the 2007 First Year Player Draft. With the move, the 40-man roster is...