The Orioles today announced that Gary Rajsich (pronounced Ray-sitch) has been named Director of Amateur Scouting. "We have added a very good, veteran baseball man with this hire," said Orioles Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Dan Duquette. "Gary is an excellent judge of talent at all levels." Rajsich, 57, began his scouting career with the Boston Red Sox, serving in both the amateur and professional departments from 1994-2006. In his time with Boston, Rajsich drafted and...

The Orioles just confirmed in a press release that Gary Rajsich has been hired as director of amateur scouting. "We have added a very good, veteran baseball man with this hire," executive vice president Dan Duquette said in a statement. "Gary is an excellent judge of talent at all levels." Rajsich's name is pronounced "Ray-sitch." Here's more from the press release: Rajsich, 57, began his scouting career with the Boston Red Sox, serving in both the amateur and professional...

The Orioles are expected to reveal their coaching staff within the next few days, and it seems more likely that they go outside the organization to fill at least one opening. Having talked to a few people this morning, it appears that Mike Bordick will probably remain in his role as coordinator of offensive fundamentals instead of being hired as a base coach. He would join the team during home games as a seventh coach who wouldn't be in uniform after batting practice. Bordick doesn't have...

Some questions to wonder about as we get a new week started: If Jim Johnson does get moved to the starting rotation in 2012, how many innings will he be able to pitch? Some feel he will be limited there, but C.J. Wilson of the Texas Rangers went from 73 2/3 innings out of the bullpen in 2009 to 33 starts and 204 innings as a starter in 2010. Last year he made 34 starts, pitching 223 1/3 innings for the Rangers. Johnson was already at a heavy relief load of 91 innings last year and there is...

Within the next few days, it should become official that Gary Rajsich has emerged from a pool of five finalists to replace Joe Jordan as the Orioles' new director of scouting. So who is Gary Rajsich? Rajsich is 57, a native of Youngstown, Ohio, and a graduate of Arizona State University. He's been working as the Blue Jays professional scouting crosschecker after joining their organization in 2009 and previously served as a scout for the Red Sox while Dan Duquette was in their front office....

By this time next week, all of baseball's movers and shakers will be settling into their Dallas hotel suites. They'll be prepping for four days of wheeling and dealing, negotiations and signings, offers and counter-offers - all bent on making their clubs better for the 2012 campaign. The Orioles, with executive vice president Dan Duquette at the helm, will be no different. They are hoping that what's done at the Winter Meetings in Dallas - whether it's the resolution of plans hatched at...

According to two industry sources, the Orioles are prepared to hire Toronto Blue Jays professional scouting crosschecker Gary Rajsich as their new scouting director. An announcement is expected this week. Rajsich would replace Joe Jordan, who left the organization to take a job as the Philadelphia Phillies' farm director. Executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed that Rajsich is one of five finalists, and an announcement should be made before the Winter Meetings that begin Dec. 5 in...

As the 2011 First-Year Player Draft moved along, it was apparent that there was a run on pitchers, and with guys like Danny Hultzen and Gerrit Cole setting the tone, the Nationals quickly realized top position players would still be available at No. 6. Only outfielder Bubba Starling was taken before Washington selected Rice third baseman Anthony Rendon with the sixth pick. Many mock drafts had Rendon as the No. 1 talent on the board and the Nationals were thrilled the heralded corner infielder...

It's been a quiet weekend, as least as far as news leaking to the media. No other executives left the organization. No free agents came to Baltimore to sign a contract. No one on the international market flew here to take a physical exam. The coaching staff still has two vacancies. The scouting director and director of baseball operations need to be replaced. Maybe the Orioles are waiting to send out one long press release. I just know that it won't arrive today. We were scrambling...

Let's just say for a moment that the Orioles don't trade Jeremy Guthrie. Let's say they acquire a veteran starter at the Winter Meetings. And let's also say they change Jim Johnson's role again and move him into the rotation. I'm counting three starters, though my math is sketchy. Jake Arrieta and Zach Britton figure to be penciled into the rotation. It would take a total collapse in spring training for them to be optioned before opening day. Now I'm counting five, which completes the...