If the Orioles wind up shocking the baseball world and signing free agent first baseman Prince Fielder this winter, I would have no problem getting on board with that. He would give the team a feared middle-of-the-order slugger who, at 27, could be heading into the best years of his baseball life. People always question his weight, but the guy has played 157 games or more for six straight years. He would provide the team with some needed star power. Since their first-round draft pick is...

Maybe the Orioles will hire their president of baseball operations today or tomorrow. I can't see this process dragging out much longer, but you've heard that one already. As you know, Blue Jays assistant general manager Tony LaCava met with owner Peter Angelos yesterday. You can read plenty into LaCava's return trip to Baltimore, though it's important to note that Angelos wasn't present for LaCava's first interview. He met with Dodgers executive De Jon Watson, so it's not like he's...

Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis, shortstop J.J. Hardy and catcher Matt Wieters are finalists for the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards. Markakis, the Angels' Torii Hunter and the Royals' Jeff Francoeur are the finalists among American League right fielders. Ichiro, a 10-time winner, didn't make the cut. Hardy, the Angels' Erick Aybar and the Indians' Asdrubal Cabrera are the league's finalists among shortstops. Wieters, the White Sox's A.J. Pierzynksi and the Tigers' Alex Avila are the...

Nationals left-hander John Lannan, coming off his first 10-win season, was very pleased to hear that Davey Johnson will return as manager for 2012. Lannan said he was impressed with the way Johnson kept the Nationals going after Jim Riggleman abruptly resigned in late June. "It is great (to see Davey back)," Lannan said. "Davey inherited a tough situation. He said he was never a man to quit. He stuck with us. The way we played at the end of the season (winning 15 of our last 20 games),...

Blue Jays assistant general manager Tony LaCava is back in Baltimore today, meeting with owner Peter Angelos as the club draws closer to naming a new president of baseball operations. LaCava already has interviewed once for the job, along with Jerry Dipoto, De Jon Watson and John Stockstill. Dipoto dropped off the list after being named the Angels general manager. LaCava was the second candidate to interview for the job after Dipoto, and he's been viewed as the most likely hire. Today's...

The Washington Nationals today announced they have exercised Davey Johnson's managerial option for the 2012 season. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Johnson will continue the on-field efforts he began on June 27, when he assumed the Nationals' managerial helm. "After a series of discussions, it became obvious that the Nationals would be best served if Davey Johnson would continue as manager," Rizzo said....

I think there is one point that all of us need to keep in mind when it comes to the Orioles and the search for the next general manager: One man cannot, by himself, fix the Orioles. Just as one player can't turn around a team and it takes many players and teamwork and chemistry, the same is true of the front office. The top executive makes the biggest decisions and provides his vision for the organization. But usually he doesn't make those decisions without the help, input and knowledge of...

The Nationals got on their biggest roll in 2011 when they feasted on Seattle, Baltimore and the Chicago White Sox in June. It was one of the many reasons that factor into how a season plays out: the strength of schedule. The Nationals won 15 of their final 20 games to finish with at least 80 wins for the first time since 2005. Those two runs turned out to be crucial in the 80-81 finish. The Nats were able to post winning records of 17-10 in June and September. Ironically, Washington was able...

Former Orioles Jerry Hairston Jr. and Willie Harris filed for free agency yesterday. Any interest? What if Robert Andino winds up as the everyday second baseman and the Orioles need a super-utility player? Teams have five days after the World Series to negotiate with their free agents before they hit the open market. The Cesar Izturis train has left the station. Manager Buck Showalter has stated more than once that he expects Vladimir Guerrero to receive another one-year deal over the winter,...

It took longer to type his last name. Pitcher Chris Jakubauskas, who cleared waivers last week, has refused his outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk and elected to become a free agent. Jakubauskas was outrighted previously, which allowed him to refuse the assignment. He also would have qualified as a minor league free agent later this week. Jakubauskas, 32, was 2-2 with a 5.72 ERA in 33 games (six starts) and 72 1/3 innings for the Orioles this season. He wasn't invited to spring...