The Nationals made a big splash this week at baseball's Winter Meetings, agreeing to a one-year deal with former Angels right-hander Dan Haren. Haren arrives with 119 career victories as a three-time All-Star, and would solidify one of the best starting rotations in baseball. With Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann and Ross Detwiler already in the fold, the Nationals were looking for a fifth starter to help them match up against any scenario and in any series. With Haren in...

The Orioles today announced that Holiday 5-Packs will go on sale Monday, December 10 at 10:00 a.m. through www.orioles.com. 5-Packs include a ticket to Opening Day, plus vouchers for four additional games that can be redeemed for an Upper Box ticket to any non-prime games in April and May. Each five-game package costs $110, plus fees, and includes a complimentary ticket to 2013 FanFest with purchase. There is a limited quantity available, and packages are expected to sell out quickly. Fans...

I do understand that some fans are disappointed that the Orioles didn't do more at the Winter Meetings. Every year, it seems there is a segment of the fan base that gets very, very excited about those few days and if major moves are not made, they get very unhappy about it. I think sometimes some fans just want action, any kind of action. Don't think some of the media don't want that, too. It was more exciting to be at the Winter Meetings two years ago in Orlando when the O's acquired J.J....

Did the Yankees do anything at the Winter Meetings this year? I may have missed it. I wonder how their fans reacted to the lack of news. I also wonder if Rays fans are particularly excited about James Loney and Yunel Escobar. I'm proud to announce that I pulled off the best trade of the Winter Meetings. I swapped my 7 p.m. flight out of Nashville last night for a 3:35 p.m. flight, arriving at the airport at the exact same time as executive vice president Dan Duquette. Duquette will resume...

The 2012 Winter Meetings have come to a close. During a week of rumors, trade news and meetings, the Nationals agreed to terms with another starter in Dan Haren, formerly of the Angels, and re-signed Zach Duke. All buzz this week was covered by MASN's Dan Kolko. In case you missed any Winter Meetings news, here's a recap of the week. Monday, Dec. 3 The week of Winter Meetings was kicked off with trade rumors surrounding Adam LaRoche, Sean Burnett and Michael Morse, who Rizzo spoke about...

The 2012 Winter Meetings wrapped up yesterday in Nashville, Tenn. Along with an agreement to bring back Nate McLouth, the O's brass returned home with a left-handed pitcher from the Rule 5 Draft and other minor league players. In case you missed any of the news, MASN's Roch Kubatko and Steve Melewski provided coverage of trades, rumors and news all week long from the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. Here's a recap of what you may have missed at this year's Winter...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Two of the biggest teases for Orioles fans from these Winter Meetings were the news that the club had interest in free agents Nick Swisher and Adam LaRoche. While you never say never, it sure appears the club had little interest in either player at the salaries they project to get via free agency. The Orioles did meet with Swisher's agent, but didn't meet with LaRoche or his camp here. When asked about the club's budget for 2013 player salaries, Orioles executive vice...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - In the Triple-A phase of today's Rule 5 draft, the Orioles selected right-handed pitcher Tom Boleska from the Minnesota Twins organization. The 26-year-old native of Montreal was originally drafted out of High Point University by Pittsburgh in Round 35 of 2007. Last year, Boleska pitched in the independent American Association for Fargo-Moorhead, going 2-1 with a 1.76 ERA over 46 relief appearances. In 46 innings, he gave up 37 hits with 11 walks to 58 strikeouts. In his...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - They have a giant podium set up here in the Winter Meetings media work room at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. Attached are a few tables, and there are five long rows of chairs facing the podium, about 150 chairs in all. This set-up is here in order to give teams a platform to announce major signings, trades or news which often breaks at the Winter Meetings. During the four days at this year's Winter Meetings, the podium was used twice: to announce the...

The Orioles today announced that they have selected left-hander T.J. McFarland of the Cleveland Indians organization in the Rule 5 Draft. McFarland, 23, is 48-31 with a 3.83 ERA (618.2IP, 263ER) in 116 games (107 starts) in five minor league seasons in the Cleveland system. He went 16-8 with a 4.03 ERA (163.0IP, 73ER) in 27 starts between Double-A Akron (8-2, 2.69 ERA in 10 starts) and Triple-A Columbus (8-6, 4.82 ERA in 17 starts) in 2012. The Orioles now have 39 players on their 40-man...