I've arrived at the Baltimore Convention Center after skating from Lot A at Camden Yards. I attempted a Hamill camel, but I ended up on the seat of my pants. The Foo Fighters is cranked up here, which seems appropriate, since I'm learning to walk again after slipping all over the icy sidewalks (see what I did there?) Anyway, now it's a party. Season ticket holders are allowed inside at 10 a.m. and can attend a private screening of "The Dan Duquette and Buck Showalter Show." That's not...

While you're digesting whatever was for dinner tonight - for me, it was PF Chang's kung-pao chicken, stir-fried in sirachi sauce - it's also a good time to deliberate the two-year, $10.5 million extension between the Nationals and outfielder/first baseman Michael Morse that was announced late this afternoon. The contract essentially buys out the slugger's final two arbitration years after a breakout 2011 season, but raises some questions. So here's five queries and their answers concerning...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter called into "The Mid-Atlantic Sports Report" earlier today on MASN, and I wanted to pass along a few items before taping "Wall to Wall Baseball," which airs tomorrow from 11 a.m.- noon. We can't go live with that show because of FanFest. Showalter counted 11 candidates for the starting rotation, and he didn't dismiss the idea that executive vice president Dan Duquette could add another one. Showalter said he's still deciding "which way to go" with...

Fresh off of a breakout season in Washington, Nationals slugger Michael Morse plans to stick around in our nation's capital for a while longer. Morse and the Nationals agreed to a multi-year contract extension Friday, according to the team, meaning fans can take some solace in knowing the powerful - yet bubbly - first baseman will remain in D.C. beyond the 2012 season. The terms of the deal are reported to be for about $10.5 million over two years, but the deal was reached prior to...

The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms with outfielder/first baseman Michael Morse on a multi-year contract extension, thus avoiding salary arbitration. This contract was agreed upon prior to arbitration figures being exchanged and was contingent upon a since-completed physical. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Morse, 29, is a career .296 (338-for-1140) hitter with 69 doubles, 52 home runs and 183 RBIs in...

When Mike Boulanger was hired yesterday as the Orioles minor league hitting coordinator, he was reunited with executive vice president Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter. From 2000-2002 Boulanger was a minor league manager for Boston when Duquette was the Red Sox GM and he later served as Triple-A hitting coach and manager for Showalter when Buck managed at Texas. He had a record of 497-496 in nine seasons with Minnesota and Boston as a minor league manager, taking three teams to the...

There's little doubt that the bullpen was one of the Nationals' strong points in 2011. The numbers are impressive - a 31-23 record, 98 holds, 49 saves in 76 opportunities, 44 home runs allowed in 520 2/3 innings, 72 percent of first batters faced by relievers retired, a 3.20 ERA - and yielded an All-Star nod for Tyler Clippard. So going into 2012, is it fair to expect more of the same? Relief is among the most volatile spots on any roster, and there are few guarantees that last year's...

Nationals No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper is preparing for his second season of professional baseball after a successful debut. Harper was able to play well at three levels in 2011: low Single-A, Double-A and the Arizona Fall League. Many believe he is ready now and could survive from day one this season with the Nationals. But Harper is only 19. Should he spend another season in the minors to hone his skills? Physically, he is ready, but how important is the mental part of the game to long-term...

One of the most memorable moments from my night at Sports Legends Museum, where I served as emcee for "An Evening With Buck Showalter," is when the Orioles' manager said that pitcher Brian Matusz looks to be in excellent condition. The crowd let out a collective sigh of relief that almost fogged the windows. Everyone understands Matusz's importance to this club, and that includes Brady Anderson, who's been training the young left-hander in California. Showalter and Anderson offered high...

Rick Peterson has 12 years of experience as a major league pitching coach, most recently with Milwaukee in 2010. Yesterday, he officially joined the Orioles as the club's director of pitching development. Peterson will oversee the organization's pitching development program. With Peterson now on board, Orioles pitchers, at both the major and minor league levels, are going to become familiar with something called biomechanical analysis. It's a little more involved than "work fast and throw...