DALLAS - Some fans have asked why the Orioles would trade pitching for pitching, as for instance moving Jeremy Guthrie and getting a pitcher of Guthrie's ability back in return. Isn't that just swapping one deck chair for another? One reason to do that would be to get a pitcher that is younger and perhaps less expensive. Before you go saying, "There the Orioles go, going cheaper again," that move could be smart and they could use the savings in another area. Of course, under the above...

DALLAS - Back in 2008, after his last draft as general manager of the Nationals, Jim Bowden spoke glowingly about the waves of talent that would start lapping at the shores of the Anacostia River a few years down the road. It was easy to brush off Bowden's claims as the eternal hope of an eternally optimistic baseball executive saddled with a moribund club, but there were whispers that the addition of scouting whiz Mike Rizzo from Arizona in 2005 was paying tangible dividends, even if the best...

DALLAS - While the Orioles have yet to make any deals or acquisitions here at baseball's Winter Meetings, they clearly have a lot of irons in the fire. One source familiar with the club's work here last year and this year described them as much more active now. Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette told us last night that he has talked to more than 10 teams but he didn't give reporters an indication whether any deals are close or getting closer at this point. Former president Andy...

Talk at the Winter Meetings regarding the Nationals outfield has general manager Mike Rizzo considering putting veteran Jayson Werth in center field. Werth enjoyed playing the spot in limited duty last season and did well defensively. If the Nationals cannot get Denard Span or B.J. Upton through a trade and their other center field options dry up, one possibility could be to move Werth there for 2012. This also could mean that No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper would be the Nationals right fielder...

DALLAS - Welcome to the second day of baseball's Winter Meetings, which may or may not be the day someone besides the Marlins and Dodgers decides to join the fray with a significant free agent acquisition. Maybe even a trade. I'm not sure what to make of this year's edition of the meetings, which have been threadbare on actual news - unless you reside in the lands of art deco and Hollywood dreams - and chocked full of lobby walking. And I do mean walking. From the media room to the main...

DALLAS - If you're anticipating that the Orioles will make a move today, look for it to be a trade. And expect it to involve a starter or reliever. Could Mount St. Joseph grad Gavin Floyd be in the mix? The White Sox apparently are willing to move him, and the Orioles have coveted him for years. Well, former president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail was a big admirer. I doubt that executive vice president Dan Duquette has any issues with Floyd. Pure speculation. I'm just saying that...

DALLAS - Less than 24 hours ago, it appeared that the Nationals were done with their pursuit of free agent lefty C.J. Wilson, whose asking price of $120 million spread over six seasons seemed a little too rich for even the Nats' deep wallets. Now, according to a report by MLB Network Radio's Jim Duquette - a former Orioles executive who still has strong contacts in the game and hosts a daily late-morning talk show on Siriux/XM - the Nationals have increased their contract offer to Wilson by...

DALLAS - Rick Peterson reportedly is no longer a candidate to become Boston's pitching coach. I mention it because Peterson interviewed last week for the Orioles' minor league pitching coordinator job. Here are some comments from executive vice president Dan Duquette: "There were mostly trade discussions today, and some free agent discussions. But primarily trade discussions," he said. "There seems to be more relievers in the market. I haven't found anybody to make a deal yet, so I...

DALLAS - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette feels that some players will be traded during the next 36 hours here at the Winter Meetings. The question is, will the Orioles be involved in any of those deals? "We've had a lot of discussions," Duquette said. "Probably met face to face with eight clubs (today) and then we also had discussions with another eight or 10 other clubs that we hope to bring to fruition here before the end of the week." Duquette joined me for a one-on-one...

DALLAS - Back in October, when he was overcome with emotion at the unveiling of a nine-foot bronze statue of himself on a plaza between Russell Street and Washington Boulevard that now bears his name, Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson told reporters that he planned to sneak back and take a look at his likeness when all the hubbub died down. Fat chance, right? Like Robinson could quietly walk around the slab of concrete outside Pickles Pub and not be noticed? He's a Baltimore deity,...