Before my time runs out on this library computer - 19 minutes and counting - I wanted to address the report that the Orioles have the inside track on signing free-agent outfielder Vladimir Guerrero. I just checked with a team official to see whether something had changed since I was told recently that the Orioles didn't expect to add a designated hitter, and certainly not Guerrero unless his price came tumbling down. I received a text back saying "nope." At this point, it doesn't sound...

I'm having serious laptop issues. And by "serious," I mean that it stopped working. It does make a neat grinding sound once in a while, but that's about it. So do I, but it depends on the meal. I'm currently using a computer at the Carroll County Public Library. Just seemed easier than blogging on my Blackberry. And yes, it took a busted laptop to get me inside a library. Ewwww, what are all these books doing here? Anyway, I'm getting assistance from the Web studio in moving...

Need a comforting, warm thought to take the chill off a mid-winter's day? Orioles spring training tickets go on sale Saturday, Jan. 22 at 10 a.m. So, if you want to ditch snow, ice and cold for the sunny shores of Sarasota and the new-look Ed Smith Stadium, you'll want to know all the details for how to acquire tickets for the Birds' 16-game Grapefruit League slate. Play starts March 1 with a home game against Tampa Bay. Individual game tickets can be purchased by phone by calling...

Yes, it's true that the Orioles are raising non-prime single-game ticket prices at Camden Yards for the second time since 2003. You can go to www.orioles.com and get the breakdown of the prices. Though math isn't my strong suit, the average increase for 2011 works out to $3 a ticket. The left field upper-reserve seats still can be purchased for $9, and the cost for season-tickets remains the same. Otherwise, you'll have to dig a little deeper. The average price for non-prime,...

Going back to last night's entry, the 1970 Orioles were voted the fourth-best team on the "MLB Network Countdown." The 1998 Yankees, 1975 Reds and 1961 Yankees made the top three. Perhaps it's the fan in me, but I still regard the 1969-1971 stretch as a dynasty despite only one championship. We can include 1966 and make it two. Since we've spent so many days talking about the bullpen and how it shapes up as the strength of the 2011 team, and since we're also going back in time, it seems...

No doubt, Orioles fans quickly became believers in manager Buck Showalter last season. He took over an O's club that was 32-73 and then went 34-23 from Aug. 3 through the end of the year. The O's winning percentage was .308 before he got there and .596 after he took over. The O's posted winning records in both August and September for the first time since 1996. But, will this truly be Showalter's second season as O's skipper? Well, Steve, duh, of course it is. Silly question,...

The Nationals farm system helped general manager Mike Rizzo make a trade this week for Tom Gorzelanny. Two minor league pitchers, Graham Hicks and A.J. Morris, were sent to the Chicago Cubs along with outfield prospect Michael Burgess. The team still has prospects that have impressed. making it easier for Rizzo to make such moves because there is finally some organizational depth to work from now, and other major league teams are taking notice. Rizzo has some pieces to play with now. The...

The "MLB Network Countdown" will rank the top 40 greatest teams in baseball history at 9 p.m. It probably comes as no surprise that the 1970 Orioles made the final cut. The 1984 Detroit Tigers, 1998 New York Yankees and 1995 Atlanta Braves also will be featured. Teams are ranked from 1961 to the present, and the 1970 Orioles made the Top 10. Meanwhile, the NFL Network is currently showing a replay of last weekend's Ravens-Steelers game. I think I'll pass, so to speak. By the way,...

I just got off the phone with Kevin Millwood, who doesn't sense that he's close to signing with another team. Millwood has been linked to the Royals, Indians and Yankees at various times, and he indicated that all three teams remain in play. He's confident that he'll secure a major league deal rather than having to settle for a minor league contract with a spring training invite. So what about the Orioles? Millwood said his agent, Scott Boras, mentioned the Orioles among the teams that...

Here are some more quotes from my conversation with Orioles' scouting director Joe Jordan on the selection of Matt Hobgood with the O's 2009 first-round pick. The 20-year-old right-hander, who was taken with the fifth overall pick, is 4-9, 4.48 in 29 starts covering 120 2/3 innings the past two seasons with Bluefield and Delmarva. Hobgood has been criticized by fans for his performance and conditioning and Jordan has received criticism for his selection of the former California high school...