The 2011 season was Dan Klein's first full season in the Orioles' organization. The right-hander got off to a great start and was quickly becoming one of the O's best pitching prospects. He began with Single-A Frederick and, after only one month with the Keys, was moved to Double-A Bowie. Klein was pitching very well and appeared to be on a fast track that might have taken him as far Baltimore before the season was done. But then came the shoulder pain which would derail his season and...

I've got one final item on the Orioles before shutting down for the night. The Orioles are on the verge of reaching an agreement with Korean pitcher Chong Tae-Hyon. This has seemed to be a foregone conclusion since earlier today, but they haven't hit any snags and the process continues to move forward. Executive vice president Dan Duquette said the Orioles are still working on "a potential agreement to acquire Chong," but it's close enough that you can expect a press conference at the...

New Orioles infielder Matt Antonelli dropped by MASN's Hunt Valley studio this afternoon to tape an interview with me for "The Mid-Atlantic Sports Report." Then he dashed out the door and headed to the airport for his flight home to Boston. Antonelli said he grew up a Red Sox fan, but he promised that he got over it about six years ago. Antonelli passed his physical today and signed a major league deal that also gave him a spot on the 40-man roster. So why the Orioles? "I think there...

After pitching seven seasons in the Orioles organization, right-hander Chorye Spoone, who was removed from the club's 40-man roster July 19, today agreed to a contract with the Boston Red Sox. Spoone's deal, which includes a spring training invitation, will become official when he passes a physical, which he said he felt certain he would do. He was in Boston today for that physical. The 26-year-old Spoone was the Orioles' eighth-round pick in the 2005 draft. His career got derailed a bit...

Infielder Matt Antonelli passed his physical today, signed a major league contract and was officially added to the Orioles' 40-man roster. The Padres made Antonelli, 26, the 17th overall selection in the 2006 First Year Player Draft. He spent 2011 with Double-A Harrisburg (four games) and Triple-A Syracuse (86), batting a combined .298/.390/.457 with eight home runs and 31 RBIs. He finished in the Top 10 of the International League in on-base percentage. Antonelli is a career .264/.373/.406...

The Orioles today announced that they have signed free agent infielder Matt Antonelli to a major league contract. Antonelli, 26, was the Padres' first round selection (17 th overall) in the 2006 First Year Player Draft. He spent 2011 with Double-A Harrisburg (four games) and Triple-A Syracuse (86 games) in the Nationals' system, batting a combined .298/.390/.457 with eight home runs and 31 RBIs, finishing in the Top-10 of the International League in on-base percentage. Antonelli is a career...

The Orioles reportedly have talked to the Rockies about acquiring closer Huston Street, which leads to two not-so-bold assumptions: They're still considering the possibility of moving Jim Johnson into the rotation, and they'd prefer using Kevin Gregg in more of a set-up role. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports wrote about the Orioles' interest in Street, who was 1-4 with a 3.86 ERA, nine walks, 55 strikeouts and a 1.217 WHIP in 58 1/3 innings. That's the highest ERA and WHIP of his career....

The blog I wrote about Dan Duquette's interview on Boston radio over the weekend sparked some debate about how soon Orioles fans should expect Duquette to make their team a winner. Some fans wrote that Duquette could or should go buy the top free agents to try and make the team a winner next year. Some fans believe that, after 14 losing seasons, Duquette and the club owe the fans that. But Duquette cannot overcome 14 years of losing and recent seasons where the minor leagues have taken a...

The American League's Most Valuable Player will be announced later today. Will it be Jacoby Ellsbury, Jose Bautista, Curtis Granderson, Robinson Cano, Miguel Cabrera, Justin Verlander or someone else? I didn't have a vote. I picked Tampa Bay's Joe Maddon for AL Manager of the Year, so my work here is done. The Phillies acquired former Oriole Ty Wigginton from the Rockies yesterday for a PTBNL or cash. Wigginton played third base, first base, left field and right field for the Rockies...

Scottsdale Scorpions Derek Norris and Bryce Harper were named to the Arizona Fall League 2011 Top Prospects Team, which was announced over the weekend. The team was selected by managers and coaches in the AFL under the criteria of fall league performance and which prospects were most likely to have successful major league careers. Harper was tied for third in the AFL with six homers, finished third with 26 RBIs and hit safely in 19 of his final 20 games. He began the fall campaign going for...