This is the time of year when we suggest ways that the Orioles can improve their roster. We know the needs, but who fills them? Third baseman Brandon Inge is off the market after signing a two-year extension with the Tigers. I'm not sure how many of you had penciled him into your Opening Day lineup. So what about Mark Reynolds? I bring up his name because I'm told that one of the talk shows on sports-radio KTAR in Phoenix devoted significant air time to the idea of the Arizona...

Here is an interesting question. Is there a model franchise in baseball - one that all others could learn from and should emulate? In this article, a Texas Rangers' executive feels the Red Sox, Angels and Phillies are great franchises for others to emulate. What makes a good franchise? Is it one that produces a steady stream of talent through its farm system? Is it simply completely about wins, no matter what method you get them? Is about consistent winning or the ability to produce a...

Not much to report on today's meeting that took place with majority owner Peter Angelos, president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail and manager Buck Showalter. MacPhail confirmed that it took place, but wouldn't provide any details. This meeting is held every October, though the manager isn't always present. They review the past season and hold their first formal discussion about where to go from here. You can be sure that a run-producing hitter was discussed, as well as the corner...

It's never too early to look ahead to spring training. It enables me to skip winter and avoid that snow shovel. A few teams have released tentative schedules for exhibition games, and you can find a master Grapefruit League schedule right here. The Orioles play the Phillies March 8 in Clearwater and March 11 and 19 in Sarasota. They play the Astros March 12 in Kissimmee anad March 15 in Sarasota. Plan accordingly. The Cardinals released their schedule and the Orioles aren't on it....

Did you see the report coming out of Peru about a coach from Sport Ancash, a professional soccer team, being accused of giving players from Hijos de Acosvinchos tainted water that resulted in their on-field collapse during a recent game? Poisoning the other team and causing a collapse? Maybe that explains the 2-16 start. I promised myself that I wouldn't mention the Orioles' coaching staff again until the club finally made an announcement, but here I go. I had a brief chat with Gary...

In a recent post I mentioned the possibility of Brandon Snyder and Josh Bell starting next year back at Triple-A Norfolk. A lot can happen between now and next spring to change that, and the two players themselves could come to spring camp and force their way onto the Orioles roster next Opening Day. But if they don't and they start next April at Triple-A, those moves could have ramifications that impact some other good young players on the O's farm. If first and third base at Norfolk...

I'm not a big Twitter guy, as you might have figured out, but I signed up so I could check the tweets - ugh - on NPB Tracker. Here's one of the first tweets - dear Lord - that I stumbled upon: "Looks like Seibu is not going to post Nakajima" That's 28-year-old Japanese shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima, who has been heavily scouted by the Orioles. John Stockstill confirmed their interest last week. Here's a followup quote attributed to Seibu owner Goto: "If there's a hope we'll talk...

The Nationals pitching staff continues to be bolstered by the addition of guys with college experience like A.J. Morris and Sammy Solis, but there are also some high school prospects that were signed this year at the top of the draft that could make an impact sooner rather than later. A.J. Cole and Robbie Ray, a pair of high school pitchers at instructs, made very favorable impressions, and both had major college offers they turned down in order to go pro and play for the Nationals right...

First it's June Cleaver, now Howard Cunningham. This hasn't been a good week for TV parents. If Rob Petrie dies, I'll stay curled up in a ball for weeks. A Yankee hits a long fly ball, the right fielder appears to be camped under it at the fence, and a fan reaches out and deflects it. Like that would ever happen in a playoff game. Did anyone else have flashbacks last night to the 1996 ALCS as Robinson Cano circled the bases and Nelson Cruz pointed into the first row of seats? Did you...

After surgery to repair a torn labrum on August 13th, O's pitching prospect Brandon Erbe is in the very early stages of his comeback and rehab. He hopes to begin some light throwing in December and report to spring training on time in February. It may take a while, though, before he is back to pitching at top form and he is quite aware of that. Erbe is also in the early stages of re-tooling his windup and mechanics. He would like to emerge with smoother, cleaner mechanics after the...