We have a theme going here. As you might have noticed, another shopping day bit the dust yesterday. We're down to a precious few. I've got errands to run this morning, but my laptop goes everywhere I go, so I'll pass along any news that might break. It usually stays in my trunk. It doesn't sit on the passenger seat with the window cracked. In case you hadn't heard, the Orioles need a first baseman. They'd like to add at least one more reliever, a veteran starter and another utility...

So how is Philadelphia reacting to the loss of Jayson Werth? Former Phillies standout John Kruk was on ESPN talking about the team's signing of Cliff Lee. He told the story of when he woke up his son with the news, "Guess who the Phillies signed?" His son answered, "Did they get Jayson Werth back?!" It gives you an idea of the impact of Werth had on the Phillies and their fans. Matt Gelb covers the Phillies for the Philadelphia Inquirer. I asked Gelb to go back to the first time...

The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms with free-agent outfielder Rick Ankiel on a one-year contract. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Ankiel is a career .248 (311-for-1255) hitter with 64 doubles, 55 home runs and 181 RBI in 416 big league games with Atlanta (2010), Kansas City (2010) and St. Louis (1999-2009). 25 of Ankiel's 55 career long balls came with the Cardinals in 2008, when he hit .264 with 21...

If you're looking for someone to critique the Orioles' winter additions at third base and shortstop, Cal Ripken seems like the logical person for the assignment. He's played both positions and his opinion always counts. Ripken has added next month's coaching clinic at the University of Maryland to his busy schedule (more on that later), but he took time earlier this morning to talk to MASN and The Sun in a conference call. Ripken gave high marks to the trade that brought third baseman...

Yesterday passed without the Orioles doing anything. President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail might have made contact with more agents or rival executives, but that's only an assumption. The media has been left in the dark because he's no longer returning our calls. I can confirm that the Orioles didn't sign any free agents or complete any trades. Only four shopping days left until Christmas. I'm actually stopping the count after Thursday, so make it three. Assuming that Adam...

I've delayed writing a review of "How Do You Know," the new motion picture starting Owen Wilson as a Nationals reliever, because I'm not sure how to say this in an articulate but kind way - the movie is terrible. Sure, it's worth going just to see Wilson ponder true love in the visiting bullpen while wearing the Curly W, and the season ticket holders who participated as extras did a great job. But the film will probably be a let down even if your expectations are already low. ...

The Nationals signed first baseman Michael Aubrey to a minor league deal, according to this tweet from the team. And yes, I just wrote "this tweet from the team." Aubrey made a pretty good impression on the club late in the 2009 season, but he was hurt in spring training and recovering from a minor medical procedure that required stitches in his back. He fell behind the other first basemen in camp, hit .235 in Triple-A (though a power surge raised his home run total to 22, fifth-best in the...

Baseball activity usually slows down the week between Christmas and New Years, so this week could be relatively busy for the Orioles. Keeping those fingers crossed. Players generally prefer to be signed before the holidays to remove that distraction and plan their lives accordingly. Their families obviously share the burden. The exceptions, of course, usually involve Scott Boras. Adam LaRoche figures to make his decision before the weekend. It's not like the market is growing for him. And...

Catcher Derek Norris made quick leaps at the end of the 2010 season with a championship at Potomac, expert education at instructional league, followed by another title in the Arizona Fall League. Along the way, newly appointed Syracuse manager Randy Knorr kept tabs on the talented backstop and liked what he saw. Knorr says Norris is closer to making that next step but still has work to do in the minor leagues. "I don't see him as a big league catcher yet," Knorr said. "I think there is...

Cliff Lee is out of the American League, and he took Zack Greinke with him - and dropped off the right-hander in Milwaukee. This season should be a breeze for the Orioles. All they need is for Andy Pettitte to retire and they'll win 90 games. Greinke reportedly has been dealt to the Brewers for shortstop Alcides Escobar, center fielder Lorenzo Cain and pitching prospects Jeremy Jeffress and Jake Odorizzi. The Brewers also will receive shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt and $2 million. I don't...