I noticed on one of the comments on a recent blog here where one reader, when responding to another, said he was a "real fan." It got me to thinking. What makes for a good and true Orioles fan? This is one very subjective topic and, of course, there is no right answer like there would be to a math problem. What impresses someone about one fan, may not another. To take the subject a step further, what defines a true Orioles fan after 14 years of losing? Over the years I have heard a lot of...

The Orioles aren't saying much about the two days spent in the Dominican Republic this weekend to scout Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, but here's what I've been able to piece together about his workouts: Cespedes showed impressive power during a batting practice session. Short-season Single-A Aberdeen right-hander Jose Mota threw about 35 balls to him so the Orioles could watch him hit live pitching. Also, Cespedes shagged fly balls and threw from center field. However, he chose not to...

So how would you like to be a Brewers fan these days? Sure, you made the playoffs, but you've probably lost Prince Fielder forever and you might have lost MVP Ryan Braun for the first 50 games next season. OK, it's still not bad being a Brewers fan, but that's got to sting. Braun reportedly learned of his failed test for PEDs back in late October. Imagine having that weight on your shoulders every day. Imagine taking MVP questions from reporters while knowing that this story was going to...

While Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo continues his search for a pitcher, a center fielder and some bench help, baseball's offseason calendar continues to move on. Next up is Monday's midnight deadline for teams to tender contracts to its arbitration-eligible players, and the Nationals have some decisions to make. Of the seven players eligible for arbitration, some decisions will be relatively easy. Outfielder/first baseman Michael Morse, left-hander John Lannan, and right-handers...

The Orioles were expected to have a contingent, including manager Buck Showalter and new international scouting guru Fred Ferreira, in the Dominican Republic this weekend to scout Cuban-born Yoenis Cespedes. Cespedes is a 26-year-old right-handed hitting outfielder who defected from Cuba in 2011. He batted .333 with 33 home runs and 99 RBIs during the 2010-2011 season with the Cuban national team. He has yet to officially establish residency and become a free agent, but that could happen any...

On the surface, the Nationals' trade earlier today sending right-hander Collin Balester to the Detroit Tigers for right-hander Ryan Perry is a bit of a head-scratcher. But what looks like a straight-up deal of similar pitchers who had hit proverbial dead ends with the organizations that drafted them is actually more of a minute tweak for each club. Let's tackle Balester first. The 25-year-old was drafted by the Expos in 2004, and while he showed promise as a starting pitcher early in his...

If anyone asks which one of my blog entries has attracted the most comments, I'll just refer back to yesterday. The total has climbed to a dizzying 592, which shatters the previous record of ... I have no idea. But I know that it's destroyed. The Orioles must decide Monday whether to tender contracts to their arbitration-eligible players. One name fell off the list when they designated reliever Willie Eyre for assignment to make room on their 40-man roster for new pitcher Dana Eveland. Brad...

The Washington Nationals today acquired right-handed reliever Ryan Perry from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for right-handed pitcher Collin Balester. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Perry, 24, joins the Nationals after going 5-6 with 29 holds, two saves and a 4.07 ERA (73 ER/161.1 IP) in 149 relief appearances spanning three seasons with Detroit. Detroit's first-round selection (21st overall, University of...

While the Nationals didn't make any headlines during the Winter Meetings, the team won't finish the week without at least one move. According to a press release, the Nationals have acquired right-handed reliever

The Nationals are closer to pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training in Viera, Fla., as the team sizes up what they could have in a talented and deep relief corps for 2012. New Nationals bench coach Randy Knorr, the former Syracuse Chiefs manager, was pleased with the staff he worked with in Triple-A last season. He sees some of those pitchers, either already with the Nationals or close to it, possibly becoming permanent fixtures in the bullpen this upcoming campaign. So who jumped...