A few more leftovers from my notebook: The Orioles had seven players total 100 or more strikeouts in 2012: Chris Davis (169), Mark Reynolds (159), Adam Jones (126), Matt Wieters (112), J.J. Hardy (106), Wilson Betmit (103) and Robert Andino (100). That's a lot, right? Betemit's 103 strikeouts came in 341 at-bats. Hardy hit .238/.282/.389 with 30 doubles, 22 home runs and 68 RBIs in 663 at-bats. He was the Orioles' No. 2 hitter in 150 of his 158 games, batting .236/.281/.380 in 631...

Brian Goodwin scored two runs and Jason Martinson added two RBIs as Salt River dropped Phoenix, 11-5. Goodwin, leading off and playing center field, went 1-for-4, but had two walks, the two tuns and a double. He had a stolen base but was also picked off first base in the first inning after reaching on a fielding error. Goodwin's batting average is .239. Martinson, playing for only the second time in a week, went 1-for-3 with a two-run double to give the Rafters a 3-0 lead. He scored a run,...

The Nationals have officially announced that Davey Johnson will return as manager for 2013. Barring a change, however, this season will be Johnson's last as the Nationals' skipper. A release sent out by the team says that Johnson will move into a consulting role with the Nationals after this upcoming season. Johnson's consulting deal runs through the 2014 season. "I love managing this ballclub in this town, and for that, I owe a debt of gratitude to the Lerner Family and Mike Rizzo,"...

The Washington Nationals today announced that Davey Johnson will return in 2013 for his final managerial campaign before shifting to a consultant position with the Nationals in 2014. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. "I love managing this ballclub in this town, and for that, I owe a debt of gratitude to the Lerner Family and Mike Rizzo," said Johnson. "As everyone knows, we have some unfinished business to tend...

During the bulk of the 2012 season, the Nationals carried three left-handed relievers in their bullpen. For the final month of the season, they had four southpaws working in relief. As of today, the Nats don't have a single lefty reliever under contract for 2013. Sean Burnett, Michael Gonzalez and Zach Duke are all free agents this offseason, and will test the market before determining where they land for next year. Tom Gorzelanny is entering his final arbitration year, and while the...

Anyone find it interesting that the Orioles seem to be focused on finding a designated hitter or left fielder, with no mention of first base? This thought process could change if they don't re-sign Mark Reynolds. Or it means they will move Chris Davis to first base. Or ... something else. The Orioles aren't real keen on clogging up the DH spot with a player who can't contribute in the field, but it seems to work out that way. Ideally, they would find someone who also can play first base or...

Brian Goodwin and Matt Skole smacked RBI doubles, but a four-run second inning set the tone as Mesa edged Salt River 7-5 in Arizona Fall League competition Friday afternoon. Batting leadoff as the designated hitter, Goodwin went 1-for-5, with a RBI double, a run scored and two strikeouts. His average is at .239. Skole, at first base, went 1-for-3 with a run-scoring double and a walk. His average is .302. Anthony Rendon, playing third base, went 0-for-4 and struck out twice. The Solar Sox...

Here is a question I'd love to get many reader responses on this weekend. As the hot stove season now really begins to heat up, are the Orioles more in need of additions to their pitching or offense? The stats sheet says the Orioles performed a little better on the mound than they did at the bat in 2012. Where the O's offense ranked in the American League this season: Ninth in runs with 712 (AL avg. was 721) Tenth in batting average at .247 (AL avg. was .255) Eleventh in OBP at .311 (AL...

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said he "formally met" with a little more than half the teams at the general managers meetings that concluded earlier today in Indian Wells, Calif. He also spoke to executives from about 10 other teams to "get an idea of what teams are looking for in trades." In addition, Duquette said he spoke to five or six agents who are representing free agent players, describing it as "preliminary talks" that likely will continue at next month's Winter...

Free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche has declined the Nationals' qualifying offer, which would have given him a one-year contract for the 2013 season worth $13.3 million. In no way should this be a surprise; LaRoche is the top free agent first baseman on the market and clearly has his eyes set on a multi-year contract. LaRoche had until 5 p.m. today to accept the one-year deal. The Nationals knew that LaRoche would decline their qualifying offer, but by extending it to him, they're...