Brand-new Washington Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche was introduced Friday at Nationals Park and talked about how he wants to make his new home as difficult a place to play as any in the National League. In years past as a visiting ball player, that was not the case. LaRoche arrived as a Pirate, Brave and even a Diamondback at Nats Park and those teams expected to win and usually did. "It was pretty comfortable coming in here to play a series," LaRoche remembered. "That is no...

By now most readers of this blog have probably come to learn that I have had a life-long passion for my favorite baseball team, the Baltimore Orioles. My close friends and family know that later in life I developed a passion for a college baseball team, the Florida State Seminoles. For two seasons, in 2005 and 2006, I was the radio play-by-play broadcaster for FSU baseball. It didn't take me long to learn of the program's amazing history and many remarkable traditions along with its...

Kevin Gregg, talking to reporters earlier today on a conference call, discussed the negotiating process that eventually brought him to Baltimore. "It was one of those things where it's nice to see interest early, know what's going on," he said. "Fortunately for me, I had a lot of interest all over board. They see you as closer, they see you as setup guy. A lot of different angles and contracts to be presented, and I think that time frame was just going through stuff and trying to find the...

Nationals left-hander Ross Detwiler has had a productive offseason as he recovers from a nagging hip injury that slowed down his 2010 season. Due to the injury, Detwiler was limited to five starts in 2010, appearing in eight games with a 1-3 record and finishing with a 4.25 ERA in 29 2/3 innings. Detwiler has been working out in his native Missouri in the offseason under the direction of Nationals head athletic trainer Lee Kuntz and believes he will be ready to go for spring training. "It...

New Orioles reliever Kevin Gregg hears some pitchers talk about how they want no part of the American League East. Gregg can't relate to it. He closed for the Blue Jays last season and will gladly take the ball - preferably in the ninth inning. "The American League East is considered the best division in baseball. I'm not scared of it," Gregg said during today's conference call with reporters. "I didn't want to back away or run from it. I'm up to the challenge. I like it. I'm...

Since the Orioles acquired third baseman Mark Reynolds more than a month ago, fans have gotten excited about his home run potential. But others have expressed concern about his league-leading strikeout totals, as well. Reynolds doesn't shy away from the topic of his strikeout total of 638 over the last three seasons. He led the NL in strikeouts all three years and would like to cut down on the whiffs when he joins the O's lineup in 2011. "Growing up and in college, I'd never been a (big)...

The results of Kevin Gregg's physical are back, and he passed. They're now hanging on Andy MacPhail's refrigerator. I made up the last part, but I needed a laugh. Gregg has signed his contract, a two-year deal for $10 million that includes a vesting option for 2013. He's expected to get first crack at the closers job in spring training after recording 121 saves over the last four seasons. Gregg's signing leaves the Orioles with 39 players on their 40-man roster. I interviewed former...

In case you haven't heard, Hall of Famer Frank Robinson was taken to Scottsdale Memorial Hospital this morning because of dizziness and an irregular heartbeat. I don't have any updates, but I wanted to alert you. Here's the MLB.com story. Robinson, 75, is a senior vice president of Major League operations. He's also one of the greatest players in baseball history and a cherished member of the Orioles family. You can't overstate what he meant to the franchise. He might not be the...

Now that the Nationals have Adam LaRoche in the fold and patrolling first base, the 2011 starting nine is taking shape. So without Adam Dunn in the cleanup spot, does that mean that Jayson Werth will instantly slide into that role? Manager Jim Riggleman says Werth can go there sometimes. So could Ryan Zimmerman or LaRoche, depending on pitching matchups. With left-handed hitters Nyjer Morgan, Roger Bernadina, Rick Ankiel, Corey Brown, LaRoche and switch-hitter Danny Epinosa, Riggleman has...

Rick VandenHurk hasn't been obsessing over every pitcher that the Orioles add to their camp roster, though each move could impact his future in the organization. If it's me, I'm keeping a chart and pacing the floor. I might be up to two packs a day. VandenHurk is out of minor league options and would have to be exposed to waivers and outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk if he doesn't make the club in spring training. The Orioles want to add a veteran starter and one more reliever, but that...