Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette - man, we really need to shorten that title - confirmed this morning that he met last night with agent Fernando Cuza. When I brought up David Ortiz's name and the assumption that the veteran designated hitter was the focus of that meeting, Duquette paused before replying, "He represents Vladimir Guerrero, too, by the way." Duquette said the Orioles need to decide "what we're doing with him." That also could mean...

In case you thought executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette has spent the entire day comparing cartoon birds and making sure the script on the road jerseys is no longer tapered, he's been sitting down with agents and rival executives at the GM meetings in Milwaukee. And according to one report, he's got an appointment tonight with agent Fern Cuza. The Boston Globe's Pete Abraham tweeted that Duquette is meeting with Cuza, who represents free agent David Ortiz. Abraham...

If Major League Baseball is looking to limit spending on draft picks in the new collective bargaining agreement, I am strongly against that. Clubs should be allowed to spend whatever amount they choose on the draft. It is one area where the so-called small market teams can spend with the big boys. They can't match the 25-man roster payrolls of the Yankees and Red Sox, but they can outspend them for draft picks. Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports published this story last night. Here is an excerpt...

With the Winter Meetings fast approaching, the Orioles must set their 40-man roster by Friday while determining which players to leave exposed in the Rule 5 draft. The roster currently holds 38 players. I'll publish the list at the bottom of this entry. Keep in mind that once the Orioles finalize the roster, they can't add other players from within the organization before the Rule 5 draft on Dec. 8. They can, however, add players obtained from other organizations, which would necessitate...

Cal Ripken Jr.'s diplomatic mission is Japan is almost over. But before he jets back to the United States, the Iron Man will host a live chat via Livestream on Facebook at 7 p.m. tonight. Fans are encouraged to submit questions in advance, and those without access to Facebook can access the chat here. Here is Ripken's last blog post from Japan, and his final video blog entry appears below.

The Orioles today unveiled their uniform changes for 2012, highlighted by the return of the cartoon bird as the logo on the club's home and road caps and the introduction of an alternate orange jersey for Saturday home games. The 2012 cartoon bird head is a new design, utilizing elements from both the 1970 and 1983 versions. It will replace the ornithologically-correct bird on both the home and road caps. The club's new home cap will feature the cartoon bird on a white front panel with a...

When I wrote over the weekend about Yu Darvish, many of your replies surprised me. I didn't keep a tally, but it sure seemed most fans that left a comment were against going after Darvish via free agency if he is posted if the total price tag for a posting fee and contract would total $100 million or more. I admire your restraint considering how badly the Orioles need pitching. But many of you just felt that is too much money and that is taking too big a risk on Darvish. I am very intrigued...

You've heard about it. Now you can hear more. The Orioles are unveiling their new caps and jerseys today. The cartoon bird is back. Let us rejoice. This is an updated version that takes elements from the 1970 and 1983 models. As I told you yesterday, it more closely resembles the Brooks Robinson bird, not the Todd Cruz one, in terms of overall shape. And this is the first time that the bird is wearing a cap with O's on the front. Here's what you didn't know until today (and what I was...

What's better than one Iron Man? How about a pair? Cal Ripken Jr., baseball's all-time leader in consecutive games played, hosted his final youth clinic in Japan on Monday. He was joined by Sachio Kinugasa, who holds the record for durability in the Japanese league and has become a friend of Ripken. Kinugasa has accompanied Ripken and his entourage through their diplomatic mission in Japan, and Monday's clinic came in his hometown of Kyoto. Kinugasa led today's clinic and handed out...

Orioles fans are encouraged to visit www.orioles.com, tomorrow, Tuesday, November 15, at 9:30 a.m. ET for a special announcement. As part of the club's continued efforts to enhance the Orioles brand, the changes to the 2012 uniforms will be unveiled at this time, exclusively on the team's website.