The Orioles aren't ready to announce their coaching staff, but Jim Presley is set to replace Terry Crowley as hitting coach. An industry source said it's a done deal, though Presley has received offers from "two or three clubs." This news coincides with an early report from MLB.com. Manager Buck Showalter, driving back to Baltimore from the ESPN studios in Bristol, Conn., would only confirm that Presley is among "two or three guys" on the final list. Crowley has offered his...

That's probably the last time I can use this joke for a while. You're officially spared. According to a tweet from Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker, Japanese shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima won't be posted. That means he won't be free to sign with a major league team. The tweet - there's that word again- reads as follows: "Official -- Nakajima posting denied" The Orioles were counted among the teams that scouted Nakajima multiple times. I wrote about it here.

Nationals outfielder Michael Burgess and catcher Derek Norris are working hard to play well and improve in their time with the Scottsdale Scorpions this month in at the Arizona Fall League. Norris and Burgess are each batting above .300 with a combined three homers and 19 RBI through nine games. Burgess is hitting .303 (10-33) with four runs, two doubles, a triple and seven RBI in nine games so far. He has struck out 11 times, but has committed just one error and is riding an eight-game...

In three more days, left-hander Brian Matusz will begin working out again at Athletes' Performance Institute. But this time, he'll have a new partner in a new location. Chris Tillman is joining Matusz at the Carson, Ca. facility. In the past, Matusz has reported to the API in Phoenix. "They're all the same, the same philosophy," Matusz said. "From what I hear, a few more pitchers work out at this facility, but it doesn't change the type of workouts or anything. "I'm excited about...

The date was July 29, 2006. No, that was not the first day I dreamed of one day becoming a blogger. It was the date of Jim Johnson's one and still only Major League appearance as a starting pitcher. He lasted just three innings and gave up nine hits and eight runs in his big league debut. So in parts of five Major League seasons, just one of Johnson's 146 appearances came as a starter after he made 121 minor league starts. Late last season there was some speculation that Johnson wanted a...

It speaks for itself: "Earlier today, the Florida Supreme Court affirmed the Orioles' spring training agreement with Sarasota County and completely validated the County process and the issuance of the construction bonds. In doing so, the Florida Supreme Court dismissed all of the plaintiffs' claims against Sarasota County and the named County Commissioners. The Orioles' confidence in Sarasota County has yet again been reaffirmed by this decision. We continue to move full speed ahead with...

I don't know if you've heard the news, but Barry Bonds told reporters in San Francisco last night that he wants to return to baseball as a hitting coach. The Orioles won't include him on their list of candidates, but he's out there. Bonds never officially retired, but he's ready to move onto the next phase of his professional life. Says so right here. "I have a gift, and sooner or later I have to give it away. I have to share it," he said. "Hopefully, I'll get the opportunity...

The deadline has been moved up this year, and five days after the World Series teams can begin to sign free agents. Up until that time, teams can negotiate with and re-sign their own free agents. The Orioles have seven such players, but barring something unforeseen, they are not expected to sign any of them before that date. "I wouldn't rule it out, but I don't think we have anything in the offing," O's president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said. "One of things the...

Today's lone reference to the coaching staff, barring an unexpected announcement, comes via left-hander Brian Matusz, who strongly endorses the return of pitching coach Rick Kranitz. You'll keep hearing names attached to various positions on the staff. By my conservative estimation, the total will rise to 4,000 before the Orioles issue their press release. Each day, another friend of Buck Showalter or an instructor at some level with some team will become a rumored candidate. It will be...

Nationals outfielder Justin Maxwell underwent surgery to replace a ligament in his left elbow October 13. Maxwell says the famed Tommy John surgery will keep him out for four to six months. Maxwell injured his left elbow the last Saturday of the season in New York against the Mets when he dove for a catch in center field. He made the catch, but the next day his elbow didn't feel good. "I had injured my elbow before during spring training, but this time my elbow swelled up pretty bad,"...