If you're strolling through downtown near Camden Yards tomorrow and hear some strange sounds emanating from the stadium that harken you to warmer weather and the game of summer, your ears aren't playing tricks on you. Tomorrow afternoon, the Orioles have invited 25 finalists to Camden Yards to audition for the opportunity to be the new public address announcer at the stadium. The new voice will replace Dave McGowan, the longtime PA announcer who announced in December that new job...

Now that the dust has settled from that flurry of activity yesterday - Brad Bergesen's arbitration ruling, Nick Johnson's minor league contract - it's time to wonder whether the Orioles are finished with the roster before pitchers and catchers report to spring training Feb. 18. I'm guessing that at least one more move is made before that date. Perhaps another late-inning reliever is added to the mix - Koji Uehara's return remains a possibility if the Rangers lower their demands, though I...

Orioles minor leaguer LJ Hoes could not quite contain his excitement this week. He got an important phone call Wednesday morning and before long posted this via his Twitter account: "Just got the best news ever God is good...Big league Camp here I come." Hoes will join Xavier Avery as O's farmhands that are getting an invitation to the Birds' major league spring training camp, where they join the big leaguers in the clubhouse and on the field. "I'm just very excited," Hoes said by...

The Orioles have reached agreement with first baseman Nick Johnson on a minor league contract that includes an invitation to spring training. Johnson could give manager Buck Showalter another option at first base and designated hitter. He also could share time at those spots with Joe Mahoney at Triple-A Norfolk. No promises come with the deal, only an opportunity. Johnson, 33, didn't play in the majors last year. He appeared in 53 games with Triple-A Columbus and batted .201/.316/.332 with...

Orioles pitcher Brad Bergesen came out on the losing side in yesterday's arbitration hearing in St. Petersburg, Fla. Bergesen will make $800,000 this season after earning $434,000 in 2011. He sought $1.2 million. The Orioles haven't lost a hearing since 1995 with pitcher Ben McDonald. They're 7-0 with general counsel H. Russell Smouse. Yesterday's hearing included Smouse, executive vice president Dan Duquette, director of baseball administration Tripp Norton and assistant director of...

Right-handed pitcher Brad Bergesen has been awarded the Orioles' contract offer of $800,000 in salary arbitration, it was announced today. Bergesen, 2-7 with a 5.70 ERA (101.0 IP, 64 ER) in 34 games (12 starts) last season, had sought a $1.2 million contract for the 2012 season.

Daniel Kim is a reporter for what is basically the ESPN of Korea. He has been closely following the story of Kim Seong-Min, the 17-year-old lefty high school pitcher signed recently by the Orioles that is from his country. The Korean Baseball Organization, which runs the nation's top baseball league, seems to believe the Orioles violated protocol in signing Seong-Min and have taken their concerns to Major League Baseball. The KBO has lodged a complaint with MLB over the Orioles' alleged...

When the Nationals open the 2012 season at Wrigley Field against the Cubs on April 5, there are pretty much guaranteed to be winds whipping around the ivy-covered walls and knocking around the pennants on the scoreboard in center field. But the guys from D.C. will be used to that by then, especially after spending most of spring training with an incessant question swirling around Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Fla. Who's the Nats' opening day starter? There's little doubt that Washington's...

Even though they played just about a half-season each last year in the Carolina League, it sure seems quite possible that the Orioles' top two minor league position players could begin the 2012 season with Double-A Bowie. The Orioles have to decide if they will start the dynamic, young double play combo of 19-year-old Manny Machado and 20-year-old Jonathan Schoop in the Eastern League with Bowie after the duo played at both Single-A Delmarva and Single-A Frederick last year. While the stat...

We should find out today whether Brad Bergesen was declared the winner in his arbitration hearing, which would represent the Orioles' first defeat since 1995 with former pitcher Ben McDonald. Don't feel bad if it happens. The money isn't coming out of your checking account. Either way, Bergesen will receive a healthy raise. In this economy, that's reason to celebrate. Also, the Orioles could announce that they've reached agreement on a minor league deal with first baseman Nick Johnson....