Well, it has been quite a few days of spirited discussion and debate about a young pitcher that almost none of us know much about and have never seen pitch. The Orioles signed Seong-Min Kim to a minor league contract Jan. 30. He either throws 80 or 83 mph, or maybe 88, depending on the report you read and trust most. He's either a high shool sophomore or maybe entering his final year. Someone said Korean kids graduate at 19 so he could be a 17-year-old sophomore. His curveball is either...

Take another look at the 40-man roster and count how many players were added from outside the organization after Robert Andino's walk-off single beat the Red Sox on Sept. 28. I'm not including pitcher Oliver Drake, who was protected in the Rule 5 draft: Pitchers: Jake Arrieta Luis Ayala Brad Bergesen Jason Berken Zach Britton Dylan Bundy Wei-Yin Chen Oliver Drake Dana Eveland Kevin Gregg Jason Hammel Tommy Hunter Jim Johnson Matt Lindstrom Brian Matusz Darren...

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette talked to a group of reporters tonight at Sports Legends Museum adjacent to Camden Yards before he appeared as a guest at the annual Babe's Birthday Bash. Here are some comments Duquette made: Duquette dismissed the chance of the Orioles signing free agent Manny Ramirez. Duquette on Manny by smelewski Duquette talked about the Orioles signing today of relief pitcher Luis Ayala and its impact on the bullpen. Duquette on Ayala and...

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette has pretty much dismissed the possibility that he'll sign veteran designated hitter Manny Ramirez. "I don't think there's going to be a fit for Manny," Duquette said. "We've looked at that all winter and I'm not sure there's a fit there for the Orioles. I wish Manny a lot of luck, but I just don't think he fits in our ballclub right now." Asked what else he plans to do with the roster before spring training, Duquette said, "I think...

Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette has issued the following statement regarding 17-year-old Korean pitcher Seong-Min Kim: "On behalf of the Orioles organization, I offer a sincere apology to the Korea Baseball Organization and the Korea Baseball Association for the club's unintentional breach of protocol in failing to tender a status check in the process of signing Seong-Min Kim. The Orioles respect Major League Baseball's recruiting policies and the...

Orioles Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Dan Duquette has issued the following statement regarding Seong-Min Kim: "On behalf of the Orioles organization, I offer a sincere apology to the Korea Baseball Organization and the Korea Baseball Association for the club's unintentional breach of protocol in failing to tender a status check in the process of signing Seong-Min Kim. The Orioles respect Major League Baseball's recruiting policies and the governing bodies and people that...

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette indicated tonight that the Orioles won't sign veteran designated hitter

Outfielder Matt Angle was designated for assignment today to make room for reliever

The Orioles also announced that they have signed infielder Nick Johnson to a minor league contract with a spring training invite. Outfielders Xavier Avery, LJ Hoes and catcher Dane Sardinha have also been invited to big league camp. Johnson, 33, played in 55 games for Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus in the Cleveland organization in 2011. He owns a .401 on-base percentage over nine seasons (794 games) in his major league career. Avery, 22, batted .259/.324/.343 in 138 games for Double-A...

The Orioles today announced that they have signed right-handed pitcher Luis Ayala to a one-year contract with a club option for 2013. Ayala, 34, posted a 2.09 ERA (56.0 IP, 13 ER) in 52 appearances for the Yankees last season. In seven major league seasons, he has gone 31-41 with a 3.47 ERA (446.1 IP, 172 ER) for Montreal/Washington, the Mets, Minnesota, Florida and the Yankees. To clear room for Ayala on the 40-man roster, outfielder Matt Angle has been designated for assignment. Angle, 26,...