The Orioles today announced that they have named Ray Poitevint as Executive Director, International Baseball . "I am delighted to have Ray Poitevint return to the Orioles where he began his career and to have his veteran baseball leadership as part of our global recruiting and marketing efforts," said Orioles Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Dan Duquette . Now entering his sixth decade working in baseball, Poitevint began his career as an Associate Scout with the Orioles in...

Former shortstop Barry Larkin, who spent all 19 of his major league seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in his third year on the ballot. Larkin received votes on 86 percent of the ballots. A player must received at least 75 percent for induction. Former pitcher Jack Morris, in his 13th year on the ballot, came the closest among the rest of the field with 67 percent of the votes. Jeff Bagwell received 56 percent, Lee Smith 51 percent, Tim Raines 49 percent,...

The Orioles have scheduled a physical for Taiwanese left-hander Chen Wei-Yin, bringing them closer to signing another starting pitcher. The two sides have reached agreement on a multi-year deal, according to a source. It will become official once Chen passes the physical. Chen, 26, was 8-10 with a 2.68 ERA in 25 games (24 starts) this year for the Chunichi Dragons of the Nippon Professional Baseball League. The 6-foot southpaw has a low-90s fastball that reportedly tops out at 96 mph. He...

It will be a while before a Nationals player gets the call to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. But this afternoon, a former major leaguer who spent three years in the Nationals' front office will likely be welcomed into the hallowed hall of baseball's immortals. Barry Larkin, a 12-time All-Star shortstop and the 1995 Most Valuable Player during a 19-year big league career spent entirely with the Cincinnati Reds, is favored to get the required 75 percent of the vote on...

I've provided false hope in the past, but I'm almost certain that the Orioles will announce their minor league managers and coaching staffs this week. They also should confirm a few hires, including Rick Peterson as pitching coordinator (title pending) and Chris Correnti as part of their athletic training staff. No sense dragging it into the third week of January. Pitchers and catchers report to spring training Feb. 18. The roster needs more work. Maybe not this week, but it's...

With the offseason additions of pitchers Dana Eveland and Tsuyoshi Wada, the Orioles don't seem to have any shortage of candidates to make their opening day starting rotation. Since they have not added anyone to the back end of the bullpen, many are assuming that pretty much means Jim Johnson will stay as a late-inning reliever, likely the closer, and not get a shot to be a starter this year. Since we have not heard an official word from the team on this, I wonder how Buck Showalter and Dan...

The Nationals were faced with a major decision in their system this offseason when Harrisburg Senators pitching coach Randy Tomlin stepped down from his post. The Nats had already had to adjust to the promotion of Randy Knorr from Triple-A Syracuse manager to bench coach with the Nationals. Tony Beasley was elevated from Double-A Harrisburg to Syracuse to replace Knorr. At Harrisburg, the Nationals moved quickly and promoted Paul Menhart from Single-A Potomac to pitching coach with the...

We interrupt our regular, seemingly daily, examination of the possibility that free agent first baseman Prince Fielder will eventually hammer out a long-term deal with the Nationals to bring you other news and opinions related to all things curly and W ... One of the most enjoyable parts of working at MASNsports.com is the interaction with our readers and regular viewers of our broadcasts. Whether we're debating something on the MASN Nationals Facebook page, checking comments on this blog or...

I didn't take an official vote, but I sense that most fans here would pass on Manny Ramirez. Fair enough. It doesn't cost anything to watch him take batting practice in Miami. The Orioles have a scout (Juan Alvarez) who's based down there. Maybe he drove to the facility and checked out Ramirez. We're talking a few gallons of gas. If nothing else, yesterday's report quieted the fury over Alfonso Soriano. The curiosity for me is what approach the Orioles are taking to filling the...

According to a report on ESPNdeportes.com, scouts for the Oriolesand Blue Jays watched Manny Ramirez take indoor batting practice in Miami. Nothing stirs up the masses like Manny. Asked earlier today whether he could confirm the report, Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said, "I heard that Manny has been working out down there." Asked again about the Orioles' interest, Duquette said, "We're aware that he's working out down there." Fred Ferreira, the Orioles' executive...