While addressing fans during this morning's forum for season ticket holders, executive vice president Dan Duquette causally mentioned that the Orioles signed the top amateur pitcher in Korea three days ago - a 17-year-old left-hander who wasn't identified by name. I stored the information in the back of my mind - the front was much too crowded - until I was freed up to do more research. I had no time today with all the FanFest commitments and constant blog updates. Coincidentally, a tweet...

Jim Johnson shook hands with reporters, smiled and said, "I don't know." Hey, we're supposed to ask the questions before you answer them. Johnson knew what was coming. Is he going to be a starter or reliever this season? "You guys probably know more than I do," he said. "I'll be in the bullpen. I'm pretty sure about that." As the closer? "We'll figure that out in the spring," he replied. The Orioles are leaning toward keeping Johnson in a relief role, and he could be the...

Brady Anderson was officially hired this week as special assistant to Dan Duquette, even though he has been doing some work for the club before that and did some work for the Orioles last year. "Last year, I had a condo at Triple-A (in Norfolk). You need to go everywhere. We have minor league affiliates close to Baltimore and you have to be willing to grind it out and go back to the minors. I like being in the trenches," he said. "I was around (the big league club) quite a bit last year...

Infielder Ryan Flaherty participated in the three-day mini-camp this week at Camden Yards and noticed that the ballpark might favor the hitters. Flaherty is hoping to test that theory this summer. The Orioles selected Flaherty in the Rule 5 draft at the Winter Meetings, which automatically classifies him as a long shot to make the club in spring training, but he'll give it his best shot. "I'm just going to make sure I come into camp ready to go, and whatever happens happen," said...

No pun intended but here are some FanFest nuggets from Buck Showalter and his latest get-together with the reporters here. Buck on the DH spot in the lineup: "It's a question mark because a guy that has to anchor down there and do nothing but that is not there. I look at that as almost an asset, but if the right guy rears his head we'd go there. But it also allows us to move people around and keep people healthy. "Wieters will be able to DH some and (we can) put some bats in the lineup we...

Jai Miller bears a striking resemblance to Jets receiver Plaxico Burress. OK, they're not separated at birth, but they could be related. It's been a relaxing winter for shortstop J.J. Hardy, who usually sat at home wondering where he'd be playing the following season. "It was one of the first offseasons in the last three or four offseasons where I wasn't in all the trade rumors and stuff," he said. "It was nice to know where I was going to be in spring training." Hardy isn't...

Jai Miller bears a striking resemblance to Jets receiver Plaxico Burress. OK, they're not separated at birth, but they could be related. It's been a relaxing winter for shortstop J.J. Hardy, who usually sat at home wondering where he'd be playing the following season. "It was one of the first off-seasons in the last three or four off-seasons where I wasn't in all the trade rumors and stuff," he said. "It was nice to know where I was going to be in spring training." Hardy isn't...

Orioles right-hander Jake Arrieta said at FanFest that he continues to make very good progress after having bone spurs removed from his right elbow on Aug. 12. "I felt as good as I expected to. I haven't had any setbacks, just routine throwing program soreness but outside of that I've been 100 percent healthy and very encouraged with my progress," he said. Arrieta, who went 10-8 with an ERA of 5.05 in 22 starts last summer, said the bone spurs would bother him at times last season. He...

Orioles center fielder Adam Jones knew when he saw reporters today that someone would ask him about all the trade talk in which his name has surfaced in recent weeks. "I knew that question was coming. No one has ever talked to me about it, so I think, rumors are what they are. Leave it at that, nothing more I can say about it," Jones said. Jones was asked if he was open to discussing a contract extension if the Orioles approach him this winter. Adam Jones addresses his contract situation...

Nick Markakis said he'll probably be limited until maybe the first week into March after undergoing surgery earlier this month to repair a torn abdominal muscle. He doesn't need many at-bats to get ready for the season. He's not going to rush or do anything that sets him back. His body will largely dictate his schedule. So far, it's cooperating with him. "I'm feeling good," he said. "It's a sensitive area where I got cut open and as far as pain-wise, I don't have any pain. It's...