DALLAS - Orioles manager Buck Showalter is meeting with the media. I'll pass along a few notes here, and check Steve Melewski's blog for quotes. Showalter laughed and shook his head when asked whether the Orioles signed Prince Fielder today. Maybe the results of the physical haven't come back yet. Kidding. Showalter repeated that every team here is looking for pitching. It's the "one common denominator," he said. Jim Johnson's role for 2012 remains undecided. He could be a starter...

DALLAS - The Twins claimed shortstop Pedro Florimon off waivers from the Orioles. The Orioles needed to clear a spot on their 40-man roster for the Rule 5 draft. Also, pitcher Pedro Viola cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. Florimon, who turns 25 on Saturday, went 1-for-8 for the Orioles in 2011, making his major league debut Sept. 10 at Toronto.

The Orioles announced today that left-handed pitcher Pedro Viola has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. Additionally, infielder Pedro Florimon has been claimed on waivers by the Minnesota Twins. Viola, 28, appeared in four games for the Orioles in 2011, pitching to a 9.82 ERA (3.2IP, 4 ER). He owns a 7.50 ERA (12.0IP, 10 ER) in 15 career major league games. Florimon, 25 on Saturday, went 1-for-8 for the Orioles in 2011, making his major league debut on September 10 at...

The Orioles today announced that they have hired veteran baseball executives Lee Thomas as Special Assistant to the Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and Fred Ferreira as Executive Director of International Recruiting. Thomas brings over five decades of experience in professional baseball, highlighted by Executive of the Year honors in 1993 after leading the Philadelphia Phillies to the World Series as General Manager. Thomas served as GM of the Phillies from June 1988 through...

With the news that the Miami Marlins have pried shortstop Jose Reyes away from his previous team, the New York Mets, and other teams, and the announcement of the signing of free agent closer Heath Bell, it's certainly raised eyebrows at Nationals Park and in Dallas at the Winter Meetings. Reyes reportedly has signed a six-year guaranteed deal worth up to $106 million with Miami. Reports also say that Hanley Ramirez has agreed to move to third base, making the left side of the Marlins infield...

DALLAS - Before he got back into the game officially as the Orioles new executive director of international recruiting, Fred Ferreira spent time working with a young Dominican player that the Red Sox signed for big bucks last summer. I would guess Ferreira's day of working with a player that signs with the Sox are over. But last summer Boston signed outfielder Manuel Marcos to an 800,000 dollar signing bonus and was trained by Ferreira. I don't mean trained like training to compete in a...

DALLAS - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed to MASN this morning that he's interested in free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder. However, he warns fans not to get their hopes up. The Orioles won't get in a bidding war for Fielder, but the market may be softening for the slugger, which would allow teams on the peripheral to become involved. That includes the Orioles and Mariners. Duquette doesn't know where the market is going for Fielder, but he's paying close...

DALLAS - I'm happy to report that legendary third baseman Brooks Robinson is here as part of baseball's Golden Era Committee, which voted Ron Santo into the Hall of Fame, and that he's feeling much better these days. Robinson looked frail and unsteady during the ceremony on Oct. 22 to unveil his statue outside of Camden Yards. He's had a litany of health issues, and will undergo two more procedures this winter, but he seems to be doing fine. He stood for quite a while as reporters...

DALLAS - When Andy MacPhail was the Orioles team president, if the club was rumored to be involved with a player at the Winter Meetings and the reports were unfounded, MacPhail could be counted on to set the Baltimore media straight. "I wouldn't go down that road (with that rumor)," was typical of something he might say to let us know that rumor was going to turn out to be just that and nothing more. Given the chance to do that last night about Manny Ramirez, a player he once signed in...

DALLAS - Major League Baseball's Golden Era Committee has voted Cubs legend Ron Santo into the Hall of Fame. Santo needed 12 votes to earn 75 percent. He received 15 of the 16. It's unfortunate that Santo isn't alive to enjoy it. He passed away Dec. 3, 2010. The Committee got it right. Just a year too late. Jim Kaat received 10 votes. Gil Hodges and Minnie Minoso each received nine votes, and Tony Oliva eight. Brooks Robinson is part of the Committee, and he's here today. I'll post...