Stop me if you've heard this one before: The Nationals are again making a strong pitch to sign free agent first baseman Prince Fielder. The on-again, off-again talks with Fielder and agent Scott Boras are apparently on again, according to a baseball source. Actually, there's some difference of opinion on whether the two sides ever stopped talking or whether the supposed impasse from earlier this week was just a means for Nationals owner Ted Lerner and general manager Mike Rizzo to have some...

In case I failed to mention this transaction in a previous entry, I'll pass along today that the Orioles have purchased the contract of infielder/outfielder Peter Fatse from the Newark Bears, according to the independent league team's Web site. It's more minor league depth, and another player from Massachusetts (Hampden, to be exact.) Here's what I know about Fatse after doing a little research: He's 24 and a former 24th-round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers out of the University of...

This weekend, I'm taking a look at some Orioles minor league topics that will be on display and a look back at the Yankees big night of acquiring pitching. * Orioles first-round draft pick Dylan Bundy appears likely to begin next season pitching for the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds. As he begins his first pro season in 2012, he will almost certainly be on an innings limit of around 120 or so. That will lead to the club having to decide how they go about having Bundy get those innings. A...

So much for the Yankees being quiet this winter. I blinked last night and they acquired two frontline starters. It must be nice to slot Michael Pineda and Hiroki Kuroda behind CC Sabathia. The Yankees are about seven deep in starters right now, and they'd love to dump A.J. Burnett. They'll gladly drive him to your front door. Last night's activity takes the Yankees off the market for free agent Edwin Jackson. I'm still loving the idea of a Scott Boras package-deal involving Jackson,...

All seven of the Nationals who are eligible have exercised their right to file for salary arbitration. According to the Major League Baseball Players Association, Friday was the deadline, and the sides must exchange figures by Tuesday. Right-handers Jordan Zimmermann and Tyler Clippard, catcher Jesus Flores, first baseman/outfielder Michael Morse, and left-handers John Lannan, Tom Gorzelanny and Gio Gonzalez beat the deadline. The period for filing began Jan. 5 and MLBPA reports that 142...

Courting a coveted free agent used to be so easy. You invited him to your city, wined and dined him with the ownership at a swanky restaurant, had him tour your stadium and waited for the ooohs and aaahs as you put his photo on your larger-than-life scoreboard with your logo superimposed on his ball cap. Sometimes, you had the contract ready for his signature, hoping to convince him to avoid the next city on his tour itinerary. Of course, those were the days before players came from such...

USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported earlier today that free agent first baseman Prince Fielder and agent Scott Boras are in Dallas to visit with the Texas Rangers. Apparently, the Fielder/Boras Tour is cranked up again. This will come as no surprise, but I'm told that the tandem isn't scheduled to meet with Orioles officials. At least not yet. We'll leave the door a little cracked, but that's it. The Rangers are viewed as one of those teams that's been lying in the weeds, waiting for...

Tony Beasley, who guided the Double-A Harrisburg Senators in 2011, takes over the reins as manager of the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs for 2012, and is ready for a big difference in the players he coaches and their mental approach to being one call away from Major League Baseball. Beasley moves from managing what are usually the top prospects for a franchise at Double-A to Triple-A, where the players are either one step away from Washington, D.C., or are in a holding pattern, ever so close to the...

We're getting closer and closer to the start of spring training, which means, Nationals fans, your window to purchase tickets for the 2012 season is closing. Of course, the best option is to get to all 81 home games, but for those of you who, you know, actually have a job to go to, the Nationals have announced a collection of mini plans for the upcoming season. Starting this week, Washington Nationals fans will have the opportunity to choose between four affordable mini ticket plans to see...

Starting this week, Washington Nationals fans will have the opportunity to choose between four affordable mini ticket plans to see some of the hottest games of the 2012 season. As an added value, each plan will also include one game free. This year's mini plans include: * Manager's Plan (15 games for the price of 14): For the second consecutive year, fans can create their own unique ticket plan featuring games against National League East rivals and Interleague opponents. Some restrictions...