We interrupt our regular, seemingly daily, examination of the possibility that free agent first baseman Prince Fielder will eventually hammer out a long-term deal with the Nationals to bring you other news and opinions related to all things curly and W ... One of the most enjoyable parts of working at MASNsports.com is the interaction with our readers and regular viewers of our broadcasts. Whether we're debating something on the MASN Nationals Facebook page, checking comments on this blog or...

I didn't take an official vote, but I sense that most fans here would pass on Manny Ramirez. Fair enough. It doesn't cost anything to watch him take batting practice in Miami. The Orioles have a scout (Juan Alvarez) who's based down there. Maybe he drove to the facility and checked out Ramirez. We're talking a few gallons of gas. If nothing else, yesterday's report quieted the fury over Alfonso Soriano. The curiosity for me is what approach the Orioles are taking to filling the...

According to a report on ESPNdeportes.com, scouts for the Oriolesand Blue Jays watched Manny Ramirez take indoor batting practice in Miami. Nothing stirs up the masses like Manny. Asked earlier today whether he could confirm the report, Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said, "I heard that Manny has been working out down there." Asked again about the Orioles' interest, Duquette said, "We're aware that he's working out down there." Fred Ferreira, the Orioles' executive...

By acquiring promising prospect Anthony Rizzo in a four-player deal with the San Diego Padres on Friday, the Chicago Cubs not only got their first baseman of the future, they also probably took themselves out of the Prince Fielder derby. That's good news for the Nationals, who are working to sign the free agent slugger. Who else remains in on Fielder? Quite frankly, the list of suitors is dwindling, a development that could work in Washington's favor as they negotiate with agent Scott Boras...

Before I dive into more rotation talk, I'll revisit one topic from yesterday. The Orioles are downplaying Nick Markakis' abdomen surgery. They truly believe that he'll be ready on opening day, and Markakis feels the same way. Markakis is one of those guys who doesn't need a lot of spring training at-bats. He was launching the ball tape-measure distances on the back fields of Ed Smith Stadium last February and March, causing a few beat writers to predict that he'd have a monster season....

For the most part, I agree with a lot of what national baseball columnist Rob Neyer has had to say over the years. He really knows the game and writes interesting and often thought-provoking columns. When I read his piece yesterday about why the Orioles haven't traded Adam Jones, he really caught me off guard when he called Jones "a disappointment." I guess he is saying in relation to what some thought he would become. His story is here. But I find it hard to call a solid-fielding center...

The Orioles have released their autograph schedule for FanFest on Saturday, Jan. 21. You can go over the particulars about the autograph policy and purchasing autograph vouchers here. The procedure is identical to the system introduced at last year's FanFest. Vouchers go on sale at www.orioles.com/fanfest at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7. Last year, all vouchers sold out before FanFest, so plan accordingly, using the following schedule of player, manager and alumni appearances: ESSKAY...

New Harrisburg Senators manager Matt LeCroy will see some very familiar faces as he takes the helm at Metro Bank Park this spring in his first season as a Double-A skipper. LeCroy said his team in Potomac persevered when it did not appear to be a formidable offensive threat early on. But behind quality pitching, the team defied a difficult first half, and scraped together hits and rallies in the final month of season to earn a playoff spot. This experience at Single-A will be a major boost...

Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis underwent surgery yesterday in Philadelphia to repair a torn muscle in his abdomen, but the club expects him to be ready for opening day. Markakis left the final regular season game on Sept. 28 against the Red Sox after making a diving catch. He was expected to visit a specialist this winter as a precaution, but the injury didn't heal properly and surgery was recommended. Scar tissue was preventing the tear from closing. The surgery was performed by sports...

For the sake of discussion, let's assume that Prince Fielder doesn't end up in D.C. in 2012. No majestic home runs reaching the second deck in right field. No snide comments about his weight the first time he goes into a slump. No spring training negotiations between Fielder and Jayson Werth - for cash, vintage automobiles, jewelry, etc. - over who gets to don jersey No. 28. If Fielder doesn't sign with the Nationals, could you stand to have a healthy, productive Adam LaRoche at first...