Let me start by repeating that I am, for the most part, against trading young pitching. Not in every case and there are probably some deals that could really help the O's where they just have to part with a young arm or arms. But, if they have any interest in getting a top talent like Adrian Gonzalez or Prince Fielder in a deal, there is no way they can avoid dealing some young pitching, I don't think. But here is the key reason the O's should not deal any young pitching right now. ...

If you play Japanese Fantasy Baseball, former Orioles pitcher Hayden Penn remains eligible for your draft. He re-signed with the Chiba Lotte Marines. Penn was victimized by more bizarre physical setbacks than any player I've covered. Three immediately come to mind: Sprained ankle while carrying boxes down steps at spring training, appendectomy, impaled by piece of broken bat. He wasn't attacked by sharks on Fort Lauderdale Beach, so his luck occasionally changed for the better. Does...

Former Orioles reliever Dennis Sarfate is currently in negotiations with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of the Nippon Professional Baseball League and could be taking his professional career in a new direction - one that leads outside the U.S. No deal has been reached, but he's considering a move to Japan and a fresh start. Sarfate became a minor league free agent and declined a chance to stay in the Orioles' organization after they failed to purchase his contract during the summer. He went 2-2...

On Tuesday at 3 p.m., Nationals reliever Collin Balester will chat with fans online at ESPN.com. Balester will discuss his effort to grow a mustache for Movember, a project that raises funds for prostate cancer research. He'll take questions on the cause, his community involvement, pitching, the Nationals, teammates and whatever else you want to know. Fans can still donate to his Movember page or read more about his efforts to support this cause.

Earlier today, Phillies right-hander Roy Halladay became the fifth pitcher to win the Cy Young Award in each league, and the 16th multiple winner. Here's the final voting: Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies 224 Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals 122 Ubaldo Jimenez, Colorado Rockies 90 Tim Hudson, Atlanta Braves 39 Josh Johnson, Florida Marlins 34 Roy Oswalt, Houston Astros/Philadelphia Phillies 14 Brian Wilson, San Francisco Giants 7 Heath Bell, San Diego Padres 4 Mat Latos, San...

Want to own a Bryce Harper game-used & signed Washington Nationals jersey from the prospect's 1st Arizona Fall League Game? The bidding on this jersey at MLB Auctions is already up to over $6,000 with five days left. Bidding closes on Sunday, November 21st. Harper's AFL Debut game came on October 20, 2010 when he went 1-for-4 with a double and 2 RBI.

The National League's Cy Young winner will be announced this afternoon, so collect the rest of the money in your office pools and get ready. The AL and NL Managers of the Year will be announced tomorrow, followed by the AL Cy Young winner on Thursday, the NL Most Valuable Player on Monday and the AL MVP next Tuesday. Plan accordingly. Following up on yesterday's discussion about John Russell and Willie Randolph, I received a phone call late last night - and by "late," I mean that I was...

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo checked in late last week with his thoughts on the possibility of resigning Adam Dunn and going after pitcher Cliff Lee. He also agrees that good ball clubs are built up the middle and is excited about the Nats young talent at those positions. Rizzo is pleased with how the off season talks are going for the team as a whole, not just in the possibility of getting Dunn back. "Things are going well on all fronts," says Rizzo. "We have the Adam Dunn...

After working with pitching coach Kennie Steenstra at Delmarva in 2008, Frederick in 2009 and Bowie last season, when lefty pitching prospect Zach Britton made it to Triple-A Norfolk last summer he worked with Tides' pitching coach Mike Griffin. He was certainly in good hands with both gentlemen. Griffin has worked with most of the best young arms on the O's farm over the last three seasons and said Britton clearly stacks up well with all of them. "I think so. He is knocking on the door...

John "T-Bone" Shelby has joined the Milwaukee Brewers organization as an outfield instructor/eye in the sky, according to a team press release. You can read more right here. Shelby was the Orioles' first base and outfield coach for the last three seasons, but he'll be replaced by Wayne Kirby. Shelby won't be in uniform for games. The eye-in-the-sky title, similar to the one Brian Graham held with the Orioles under former manager Mike Hargrove, dictates that you sit in the press box or a...