I saw a report yesterday that the Royals had signed first baseman Chad Tracy to a minor league deal and immediately did a double take. Had I blacked out for a few days and missed something? Nope. Turns out former Rockies manager Jim Tracy has a son. That son happens to play first base. That son also happens to have the name Chad. The Nationals' Chad Tracy still is a first baseman ... on the Nationals. This is the point we're at in the offseason - where other teams' minor league...

The value of the Nationals having a Gulf Coast League team shows itself each spring when many of the young stars move up to take spots at low Single-A Hagerstown or more likely at short-season Single-A Auburn. Looking down the list of GCL Nationals offensively, several position players put up good offensive numbers as they gained crucial professional experience in the rookie league. Second baseman Matt Foat hit .333 in 43 games, with six doubles, one triple, one homer and 20 RBIs. GCL...

Orioles owner Peter G. Angelos and Buck Showalter are meeting again today to discuss the manager's contract extension, and an announcement could be made early next week, according to an industry source. Showalter is flying into Baltimore today after spending the holidays at his home in Dallas. He met several times with Angelos last month, and it's been anticipated that he would sign a new contract in January. The deal, covering multiple years, should be in place within a few days if...

Before I tackle the blog topic of the day, I wanted to pass along that I heard late last night that manager Buck Showalter's contract extension will cover three years, extending his commitment to the Orioles through the 2016 season. No real surprise here. I think three years was the expected length. The announcement is still likely to come early next week. And then we can get on with our lives. Meanwhile, the Orioles are looking for another veteran starting pitcher and Joe Saunders is...

When a member of the Miami Marlins front office said the club would listen to trade offers for Giancarlo Stanton, it set off a mild firestorm around baseball. To me, all it meant was the Marlins' brass was doing its job. I am not a believer in the concept that certain players are "untouchable" meaning they are 100 percent unavailable via a trade. How can a team say never? Every GM has a price on every player and if some team overwhelms the Marlins with a deal too good to pass up, maybe...

Happy new year, O's fans. With 2013 upon us, we're still waiting for news of a trade or of a signing to upgrade the Orioles' roster. While roster news is lacking, there is still plenty for Orioles fans to discuss at FanFest on Jan. 19. Former Orioles Endy Chavez and Miguel Tejada signed minor league deals with the Royals on Monday. Meanwhile, Matt Antonelli, who appeared in 29 games at Triple-A Norfolk in 2012, signed a minor league deal with the Indians yesterday. Former Double-A Bowie...

Vouchers for autograph sessions at the Orioles' 2013 FanFest will go on sale this Saturday, January 5, at 10:00 a.m. The list of autograph session times and participants will be posted online for preview at www.orioles.com/fanfest by 9:00 p.m. this Friday, January 4. Orioles FanFest will be held on Saturday, January 19 at the Baltimore Convention Center from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with early entry for Orioles Season Plan Holders to begin at 10:00 a.m. At this year's FanFest, the Orioles...

Vouchers for autograph sessions at the Orioles' 2013 FanFest, to be held Jan. 19 at the Baltimore Convention Center, will go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. The list of autograph session times and participants will be posted online for preview at www.orioles.com/fanfest by 9 p.m. Friday. Shortstop J.J. Hardy can't attend this year because of a family commitment. FanFest will run from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., with early entry for season plan holders to begin at 10 a.m. Here's more from the Orioles'...

We've talked often about how the Nationals' projected 2013 lineup appears pretty strong from 1-8 in the order. Power, on-base percentage and speed; regardless of whether Adam LaRoche returns or not, the Nats will have a potent top eight in their order in multiple facets. One thing we haven't talked that much about is how the Nationals' No. 9 hitter often will give this lineup an added element that not many teams can match. And no, by that I don't mean that Davey Johnson will be...

Is it too soon to decide on the Orioles' opening day starter? I'm assuming that he's already on the roster. The Orioles aren't interested in re-signing Joe Saunders so he can take the ball on April 2 at Tropicana Field. The left-hander would slot lower in the rotation. Of course, Kyle Lohse would profile as a No. 1 starter on this club, but why go there? Jason Hammel and Wei-Yin Chen are the two leading candidates to face the Tampa Bay Rays in the opener. They figure to be slotted Nos. 1...