If the Orioles are going to avoid another 2-16 start, if they're going to make significant progress in 2011 and stop ripping their fans' hearts out, Brian Roberts will need to stay healthy and stay in the lineup. That said, it wouldn't hurt to have a Plan B for the leadoff spot. The Orioles are close to finishing their roster moves for the winter. A left-handed reliever and starting pitcher remain on the shopping list. As you've heard, one of the available designated hitters would have to...

What a season it was for catcher Derek Norris. After fighting through a hand injury and getting hit in the head with a pitched ball, Norris rebounded with championships in the Carolina League and the Arizona Fall League. Baseball America ranks Derek Norris as the No.2 overall prospect in the Nationals organization. Aaron Fitt of Baseball America says Norris has the potential to be as good offensively as what the Nats have at the major league level. "(Norris) has got more offensive upside...

Former Orioles left-hander Will Ohman has agreed to a two-year, $4 million deal with the Chicago White Sox, according to this tweet, and this one, from SI.com's Jon Heyman. News broke yesterday that Ohman had narrowed his choices to three American League teams. The Orioles bowed out once it became clear that Ohman could haul in this type of deal. I don't think they're looking to invest much more in their bullpen, and they're not inclined to offer multiple years here, but they'll sign...

Many readers on this and other blogs have mentioned two things that fuel their optimism for the Orioles in 2011: The O's have improved while several American League East teams have not. While I, like most of you, feel the Orioles can be much improved with their additions in the field, their young pitching, their strong finish and a full season with Buck Showalter, I am not yet willing to concede that this division is starting to lose its clout. No doubt, right now, Boston is the clear...

It's snowing lightly and Carroll County schools are closed. Of course, they would have been closed anyway on a Saturday. It's the perfect storm. I found a few leftover quotes while sifting through my notebook. Here's one from president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, on the day that the Orioles signed first baseman Derrek Lee: "He's a productive middle-of-the-lineup hitter to begin with. It's very tough for him to come out of the lineup, That was obvious last year when he had a...

Manager Jim Riggleman is excited about how the 2011 Nationals shape up with a new right fielder - and now a new first baseman in Adam LaRoche. "I think the acquisitions that Mike Rizzo has made and that the Lerners were supportive of throughout this off season have been outstanding," Riggleman said. "They are going to pay dividends in (2011) and the future." Riggleman points to the Jayson Werth signing and Josh Willingham trade as the first two big alterations that really could adjust...

Left-handed slugger has hit 20-plus homers each of last six seasons. The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms with free-agent first baseman Adam LaRoche on a two-year contract. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. LaRoche is a career .271 (933-for-3437) hitter with 242 doubles, 161 home runs and 569 RBI in 989 big league games. In seven campaigns with Arizona, Atlanta, Boston and Pittsburgh, LaRoche has posted...

The 37th annual meeting of the Bob Davids Chapter of the Society of American Baseball Research (SABR) will be held at the Holiday Inn Rossyln at the Key Bridge on Saturday, Jan.29 from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Guests and non-members are invited to attend. The cost is $32 and includes a lunch buffet. The day-long event will include baseball trivia, elections of officers, networking, speakers, baseball books, presentations, raffles and more. In the morning, David Vincent will present research on...

On Tuesday, Jan.11, The Washington Post will host "Scoring Big: The Business of Sports," a breakfast forum featuring local sports executives. Nationals owners Robert Tanenbaum and Marla Lerner Tanenbaum are scheduled to participate in the event. Other participants include Redskins owners Dan Snyder, Capitals owner Ted Leonsis and D.C. United owner Will Chang. Mary Jordan, editor of Washington Post Live, will moderate the conversation. The forum will also be streamed live at ...

Carroll County schools are opening two hours late today. I knew it was coming once I heard the forecast calling for that extremely light dusting of snow. I guess it qualifies as snow. I've seen more of a buildup on my dining room table. I'd love to know how people in Michigan and Illinois react to this delay. Their schools open on time in three feet of snow, but not here. Nope. We have a light dusting. I hope you stored up on canned goods. Everybody ... to the basement! Anyway, I asked...