It all happened very fast for Joe Jordan, who left his job today after seven years as the Orioles scouting director to take the position of head of player development for the Philadelphia Phillies. Jordan said as he was flying home Friday from the Orioles' instructional league in Sarasota Fla., the Phillies were asking permission to interview him. That interview took place Monday and yesterday afternoon he was offered the Phillies' position. Jordan said he could have stayed with the Orioles...

Scottsdale Scorpions left-hander Sammy Solis makes his second start of the Arizona Fall League campaign tonight as he takes to the mound against Salt River. Solis went three innings, allowing one run on two hits with three walks and no strikeouts in a no-decision against the very same Salt River Rafters, Oct. 6. Despite the three walks, Solis was pleased with the outing and came away confident. Scorpions pitching coach Paul Menhart agreed, saying Solis threw "quality pitches, Solis was...

When Orioles fans debate how Joe Jordan did in his seven years as scouting director, most will first mention Matt Hobgood and Billy Rowell. Rowell has simply not come close to panning out and may be headed on his way out of the organization and the returns so far on Hobgood are pretty bleak. Hobgood still has time to salvage his career though, so he can't be written off yet. But many fans will never forgive Jordan for these two picks. My thoughts are that Jordan did a decent job as O's...

Like many others, I've been anticipating heavy turnover in the Orioles' organization, and it's been unfolding over the past few days. Andy MacPhail no longer will serve as president of baseball operations, news that became official late Friday night. As I tweeted earlier this morning, scouting director Joe Jordan has been hired as the Phillies' director of player development. (Check out this report from MASNsports.com's Steve Melewski.) The Orioles have lost two amateur scouts. Keith...

Mesa dropped Scottsdale 3-2 in Arizona Fall League play Tuesday with George Washington product pitcher Pat Lehman getting knocked around for four hits and two runs. An Aaron Hicks triple, which glanced off the glove of Bryce Harper in right field, and a home run by Brandon Short were the big hits for the Solar Sox off Lehman in two innings of work. Rafael Martin finally got into an AFL game for the Scorpions, pitching one inning in front of Lehman, allowing no hits, one walk and one...

So when does the offseason begin? I'm talking about mine. Here's hoping that the Orioles don't drag out the interviewing and hiring process. Here's hoping we'll learn the identity of Andy MacPhail's replacement before next month's general managers meetings. The empty chair would be embarrassing. Owner Peter Angelos is supposed to meet today with manager Buck Showalter, who's racking up some serious frequent flyer miles. Or maybe he's just developed an addiction to those little bags...

Orioles fans have head to deal with 14 consecutive years of losing. No players have had to deal with all that losing, but Nick Markakis has been a part of the organization for the last nine seasons. Markakis was a first-round draft pick in 2003. How has the losing impacted him and his career? "This is where I started, this is the team that drafted me and brought me through the minors," Markakis said. "I'm completing my sixth year now (in the majors). I've been here through the tough...

The Orioles can add the position of scouting director to their front office search. After seven seasons as the Orioles' director of amateur scouting, Joe Jordan is leaving the organization to take a job with the Philadelphia Phillies. Jordan is expected to be named the Phillies' director of player development. He interviewed with the team this week and accepted the position today. Jordan interviewed Monday with the Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. along with Phillies senior advisor...

The Orioles are putting together a list of candidates to replace president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail. They haven't sought permission to interview anyone, but that soon will change. A source confirmed that the short list includes Rangers assistant general manager Thad Levine, Blue Jays assistant GM Tony LaCava, Marlins assistant GM Dan Jennings, Padres vice president of baseball operations Josh Byrnes and Mets special assistant J.P. Ricciardi. Other candidates could surface,...

The Orioles today announced that right-hander Jeremy Accardo has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. Accardo had two stints with the Orioles in 2011, combining to go 3-3 with a 5.73 ERA (37.2IP, 24ER) in 31 relief appearances. The Orioles 40-man roster now stands at 39.