The Orioles are hoping to announce their coaching staff next week. That's the goal. It's not going to happen over the weekend, so don't plan your days and nights around it. They're still open to the possibility of moving Wayne Kirby to third base and hiring a new first base coach. According to one member of the organization, the ideal staff would include a Latin American coach at third base who also could work with the infielders - that's a prime reason why the Orioles wanted Juan...

Cal Ripken Jr. continued his diplomatic tour of Japan today, visiting Ofunato, the area hardest hit by the March earthquake and tsunami. You can read Ripken's reflections here, and MASNsports.com will post a YouTube video tomorrow of his trip to the region. Ripken wrote in his blog that nothing prepared him for the devastation he saw - photos in the slideshow bear out the incredible level of destruction in the area - and that he hoped the clinics planned for Japanese children would help the...

Manager Buck Showalter confirmed Tuesday that he only has two coaching vacancies to fill. John Russell signed a new contract, allowing him to join holdovers Rick Adair, Jim Presley and Wayne Kirby. Russell will remain on the bench. Kirby, however, isn't sure where he'll coach. Kirby served as first base coach last season, but it's still possible that he moves across the diamond to replace Willie Randolph. "It doesn't matter to me," Kirby said last night. "I told Buck, 'Whatever you...

For the life of me I don't see Jorge Posada, who is a free agent, as a fit for the Orioles. Jon Heyman of SI.com tweeted this yesterday: "If posada decides to play, i'm thinking orioles or marlins. but i hope he retires. great career. terrific guy." Posada turned 40 last summer and while the Orioles need a backup catcher and might have some DH at-bats available next season as well, I don't see a player at that stage of his career being anyone the Orioles could use in 2012. Posada was...

This transaction won't rock the baseball world, but the Orioles have started the process of signing six-year minor league free agents. Their first signee is outfielder Scott Beerer, 29, formerly a second-round pick of the Colorado Rockies in 2003 out of Texas A&M. Beerer was selected as a pitcher, but the Rockies converted him to the outfield in 2008. According to this story, he moved to southern California after briefly retiring and began working on his swing with former Oriole Brady...

The Orioles will honor Negro Leagues pioneer Buck O'Neil in a ceremony at their minor league facility, the Buck O'Neil Baseball Complex at Twin Lakes Park, this Sunday, Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. The date marks the 100th anniversary of O'Neil's birth. O'Neil, who spent a portion of his childhood in Sarasota, was a star first baseman and manager in the Negro Leagues. He also scouted and coached in the major leagues and worked tirelessly to preserve and promote the history of the Negro Leagues until...

Many major leaguers, including some Nationals players and prospects, spend their offseasons playing winter ball in Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and other places. Since yesterday's news of catcher Wilson Ramos' kidnapping, several of them have expressed their concern via Twitter or on Internet blogs. Nationals pitching prospect Ryan Tatusko is playing in the same Venezuelan winter league that Ramos was about to play in before he was kidnapped. Tatusko is playing for a...

Scottsdale left-handed starter Sammy Solis gave up three early runs, only two earned, in Wednesday's loss to Phoenix, 5-0, but has continued to show the stuff in the Arizona Fall League that has the Nationals abuzz over the potential of the former University of San Diego standout. The Nationals have always been very pleased with the makeup Solis possesses, especially his plus-plus fastball and changeup. He has worked on adding a traditional 12-to-6 curve to complement his rare knuckle curve....

Nolan Reimold began the 2011 season in the lineup at Triple-A Norfolk. He ended it with a huge ninth-inning RBI double for the Orioles against Jonathan Papelbon that capped a big September. Will it be enough to get him in Buck Showalter's starting lineup as a regular in left field in 2012? I say the answer to that should be yes. After a strong rookie season in 2009 and a poor year in 2010, Reimold's bat came to life late last year, again showing fans a glimpse of the kind of player many...

While wondering why Hollywood never gave us "Kansas City Bomber II"... The Orioles' 40-man roster still includes only one catcher, All-Star and Gold Glove winner Matt Wieters. He'll need a backup next season, unless the club is relying on him to play every inning of every game. Triple-A catcher John Hester could compete for the job in spring training, assuming he receives an invite. He played in 53 major league games in two seasons with the Diamondbacks, most recently in 2010. As for...