Daniel Kim is a reporter for what is basically the ESPN of Korea. He has been closely following the story of Kim Seong-Min, the 17-year-old lefty high school pitcher signed recently by the Orioles that is from his country. The Korean Baseball Organization, which runs the nation's top baseball league, seems to believe the Orioles violated protocol in signing Seong-Min and have taken their concerns to Major League Baseball. The KBO has lodged a complaint with MLB over the Orioles' alleged...

When the Nationals open the 2012 season at Wrigley Field against the Cubs on April 5, there are pretty much guaranteed to be winds whipping around the ivy-covered walls and knocking around the pennants on the scoreboard in center field. But the guys from D.C. will be used to that by then, especially after spending most of spring training with an incessant question swirling around Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Fla. Who's the Nats' opening day starter? There's little doubt that Washington's...

Even though they played just about a half-season each last year in the Carolina League, it sure seems quite possible that the Orioles' top two minor league position players could begin the 2012 season with Double-A Bowie. The Orioles have to decide if they will start the dynamic, young double play combo of 19-year-old Manny Machado and 20-year-old Jonathan Schoop in the Eastern League with Bowie after the duo played at both Single-A Delmarva and Single-A Frederick last year. While the stat...

We should find out today whether Brad Bergesen was declared the winner in his arbitration hearing, which would represent the Orioles' first defeat since 1995 with former pitcher Ben McDonald. Don't feel bad if it happens. The money isn't coming out of your checking account. Either way, Bergesen will receive a healthy raise. In this economy, that's reason to celebrate. Also, the Orioles could announce that they've reached agreement on a minor league deal with first baseman Nick Johnson....

The Orioles have discussed signing free-agent first baseman Nick Johnson to a minor league contract. No word yet on whether an agreement has been reached, but his name has come up in the warehouse. Update: No deal is in place, but the sides are close to an agreement. Johnson, 33, didn't play in the majors last year. He appeared in 53 games with Triple-A Columbus and batted .201/.316/.332 with six doubles, six homers and 13 RBIs. Johnson has dealt with a myriad of health issues over the...

Shortstop Zach Walters, acquired from the Diamondbacks in the Jason Marquis deal last summer, was a nice pickup for the Nationals and is expected to make another big step this season. The Nationals showed their confidence in the San Diego product by selecting him to play in the Arizona Fall League. This experience, coupled with a hot bat, will pay dividends for him this upcoming campaign. Nationals infield coordinator Jeff Garber kept a watchful eye on Walters and sees various top-level tools...

It's hard to believe Camden Yards has been around since 1992. I can still recall driving past the construction site as the stadium rose where the B&O Railroad yards used to be, the protestations of politicians who insisted a downtown stadium was pure folly and my first glimpse of the new ballpark on a mid-winter's day when mini-plan holders were invited down to see where their new seats would be. Mine were in the upper deck in Section 324, three rows from the top of the stadium, looking...

With Opening Day of the 2012 season less than two months away, the Orioles today announced the official launch of CamdenYards20.com, a website designed in conjunction with Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM), that celebrates the 20th anniversary season of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, The Ballpark that Forever Changed Baseballâ„¢. CamdenYards20.com features all things Oriole Park , including a look back at the greatest moments of the past 20 seasons and a...

Here is a mild surprise to me: Keith Law of ESPN.com rates the Orioles' farm system 17th out of 30 in baseball. Frankly, with all the criticism the Orioles' farm system has been getting, I would have expected a ranking a little lower, maybe in the 20-25 range. The Orioles, according to Law's ranking, which cannot be linked as premium content, still rank fourth among American League East teams. 2nd - Tampa Bay 3rd - Toronto 10th - New York 17th - Orioles 18th - Boston I was shocked to see...

Remember that feeling of satisfaction that washed over you last week when Baseball America ranked the Nationals' farm system No. 1 in baseball? We all knew the ranking, decided upon before the trade that sent four top prospects to the A's in exchange for left-hander Gio Gonzalez, would take a hit once the loss of pitchers Tommy Milone, Brad Peacock, A.J. Cole and catcher Derek Norris were factored out of the equation. Baseball America promised a revised ranking in mid-March to accommodate...