That's the word spreading through the lobby of the Swan and Dolphin Resort here in Lake Buena Vista. The Orioles are close to finalizing a trade that would bring third baseman Mark Reynolds to Baltimore for reliever David Hernandez and one more bullpen arm. Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic tweets that Kam Mickolio is a strong possibility. I've talked to officials who question the wisdom of surrendering an arm like Hernandez's, but that's apparently the only way that the Orioles can...

O's president Andy MacPhail said this morning of the Orioles trade talks to acquire Arizona third baseman Mark Reynolds, "We are making progress. Don't have anything finalized yet, but making progress." So are the Reynolds talks leading to a conclusion soon? "You never know until it's over," MacPhail added. When asked if the deal would involve the O's sending pitching to Arizona he said, "again, until it's done, you don't know. I'm just talking from experience. Lots of these...

Despite the exciting news yesterday and the optimism that greets us each year at the Winter Meetings, there is a cloud hanging over NatsTown today. This weekend, former Nationals closer Chad Cordero and his wife lost their 3-month-old daughter, Tehya. We are sending condolences to Chad and his family during this very difficult time. Chad was and still is a beloved part of this organization and its history. His loss is heartbreaking. There will be a "Moment of Silence" to support the...

I'm set up in the media workroom again, with a clear view of the podium where team executives announce their winter trades and signings. Still waiting for the Orioles to take the microphone. It became more apparent during yesterday's 20-minute interview with president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail that the club's best chance to upgrade its lineup is via trade rather than a free-agent signing. I'm not saying the Orioles are out of the running for Carlos Pena, but they seem resigned...

It should come as no shock to any O's fan by now, that barring something very unlikely, the Orioles are just not going to be offering any megabucks contracts this winter in free agency. Could that change? I guess so, but it sure doesn't seem to be the case. While some fans seem to think the reason for that could be owner Peter Angelos, last night's interview session with Andy MacPhail was another indicator that the O's president just doesn't think the time is now to throw big money...

After Scott Boras held court tonight at the winter meetings with Washington reporters about the Jayson Werth signing, he briefly answered another question or two before exiting stage left. I asked him if Baltimore was a possibility for his client Carlos Pena? "I don't see why not," Boras said. "I mean he's an AL East player and has done well there and likes to play there, certainly." Have the O's shown interest? "You'd have to talk to Andy about that." I said it was...

Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail says he has more than one offer on the table for free agents. He won't go into specifics, but Adrian Beltre isn't one of them. MacPhail has spoken to Beltre's agent, Scott Boras, but it's apparent that the third baseman still has no interest in coming to Baltimore. Boras said earlier today that Beltre won't dismiss teams based on geographical preference, but he didn't champion the Orioles as a serious contender for his client. It...

Among the topics O's president Andy MacPhail addressed tonight in a meeting with reporters here at the winter meetings, is the prospect of the O's offering a big contract to a free agent. I asked him if considering the 13 consecutive losing seasons, aren't the O's in a position now where they simply have to overpay to get a top talent, even if that contract seems to not make much economic sense? "There comes a time when you do, but I think it's the guy that will get you over the hump in...

O's president Andy MacPhail is scheduled to meet with reporters here at the Winter Meetings in Orlando in about a half hour. Roch and myself will both be there with any updates from that briefing. If there wasn't enough fan pressure on the Orioles before today, it just got ratcheted up when the Nationals signed Jason Werth, an O's first-round pick in 1997, to a seven-year deal reportedly worth about 126 million. His agent Scott Boras is holding court now and if anything O's related comes...

Reports indicate that the Red Sox couldn't reach agreement on a contract extension with first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, so their deal with the Padres could be dead. What does this mean for the Orioles? If they had any ideas about making a run at third baseman Adrian Beltre, and I have no indications that they're willing to hand over a five-year contract, they better do so in a hurry. You know the Red Sox will go hard after Beltre if they can't resuscitate the Gonzalez talks. SI.com's Jon...