DALLAS - Mike Rizzo's shopping list hasn't changed, and he's spent most of his day in his suite on the fifth floor of the Hilton Anatole laying the groundwork for moves that may or may not come to fruition during the remainder of baseball's Winter Meetings. He's met with two agents representing free agents, though he declined to say whether the Nationals have extended a formal offer to either. Rizzo and the Nationals' brain trust have also spoken to a pair of teams about trade...

DALLAS - As of 4:30 p.m., the Orioles hadn't met with the agent for outfielder/DH Manny Ramirez. Or should that be DH/outfielder? Anyway, the Orioles aren't dismissing the idea of pursing Ramirez. "I don't think we're in a position to completely close the door on anything," manager Buck Showalter said. "I don't think we're far enough along with anything to say that's in, that's out, but we'll see." The Orioles have held internal discussions about Ramirez, but "not in depth,"...

DALLAS - After Orioles manager Buck Showalter met with a horde of reporters here today at the Winter Meetings, he took some time out for a one-on-one interview here on MASNsports.com. Showalter talked on several topics including the additions to the front office of Fred Ferreira and Lee Thomas. "Freddy was in New York with me and very instrumental in Bernie Williams, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada," Showalter said. "Freddy is solid. Great addition. Lee Thomas, there is not many things Lee...

DALLAS - Orioles manager Buck Showalter finished a lengthy session with the media a few moments ago. Here are a few topics he addressed: Are these meetings any different with Dan Duquette? "There are some similarities. We met as a group this morning, the travel party at 8 a.m. Dan made a lot of assignments, different clubs. We gathered some more information. Everybody has their own personality and how they choose to do things. It's been fun. "Sometimes we make too much of these four...

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...