Way to go, sweater vest! Is it possible that Andy MacPhail, who was getting crushed by fans on this blog just a week or so ago, is now becoming popular among many O's fans? I haven't seen a comeback this dramatic since that O's-Red Sox game in May 2009. One thing the last few days have shown us. Just because the O's were not mentioned in every rumor over the last few weeks didn't mean they were not busy behind the scenes. And just because they missed out on a few guys (Victor Martinez...

I finally made it home around 10:30 p.m. after my flight was delayed an hour. Something about a mechanical issue with the plane, which is always nice when it's discovered before we take off. I'll be driving my daughter and her friend to school and crawling back into bed for a few hours, the images of the Titans' "meaningless" touchdown last night with no time left on the clock still dancing in my head. Meaningless...unless you took the Colts -3. Like I didn't see that coming with...

New Syracuse Chiefs manager Randy Knorr guided the Scottsdale Scorpions to the Arizona Fall League title last month with several Nationals prospects on his roster, including No. 1 overall selection Bryce Harper. Harper had a great month in Arizona, batting .343 with three doubles, two triples, a homer and seven RBIs in nine games. He had an RBI single in the championship game, a 3-2 win over Peoria. "Everybody sees him hit the ball out of Yellowstone Park, per se, and he does do that,"...

Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg is rehabilitating on schedule from Tommy John surgery in early September. Strasburg is in good spirits and says he is one or two months away from baseball activities. "They have a plan in place that is normal to start throwing about four or five months after surgery," Strasburg said. "I am now three months post-surgery. So, in a month or two, I will be able to get throwing again. Right now, I am concentrating on getting my elbow stronger." Strasburg...

The Orioles made new shortstop J.J. Hardy available on a conference call. Here's a sampling: On his reaction to the trade: "I'm excited about it. I've been through this whole getting ready to be traded the last three off-seasons and I'm pretty excited that the Orioles want me." On whether he's familiar with the team: "I feel like I know a lot of them from playing against them. Mark Reynolds I played against quite a bit, and Luke Scott was another one. Adam Jones, Brian Roberts. I...

It has been an eventful few days for the Orioles at the winter meetings. But all good things sometimes end and so these meetings in Orlando finished up today. The O's filled needs on the left side of their infield with Mark Reynolds and J.J. Hardy and also with the re-signing of Koji Uehara for the bullpen. They would still like to add some offense and still have an opening at first base. It looks like they have improved their team here in Orlando, but, per usual, the Red Sox got a lot...

Today's trade between the Orioles and Twins assures that Brendan Harris will be packing his bags again. Or maybe he never unpacks them. Harris, 30, has batted .260 in 458 career major league games with the Chicago Cubs (2004), Montreal Expos (2004), Washington Nationals (2005-06), Cincinnati Reds (2006), Tampa Bay Rays (2007) and Twins (2008-2010). Does it become easier or harder as he gets older and it's time to order more change-of-address cards? "It can go both ways," said Harris,...

The Orioles today announced that they have acquired SS J.J. Hardy and INF Brendan Harris from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for minor league right-handed pitchers Jim Hoey and Brett Jacobson. The Orioles will also receive cash considerations from Minnesota. Hardy, 28, was an All-Star in 2007 with the Milwaukee Brewers, when he batted .277 with 26 home runs and 80 RBI. He averaged 30 doubles and 25 home runs over a two-season span in 2007 and 2008. Hardy batted .268 with a .714 OPS in 101...

Right-hander Pat Egan began today as a minor league pitcher in the O's organization. But after being taken in the Rule 5 draft, he is now on the Milwaukee Brewers' major league roster. "I'm still trying to piece it all together," Egan said by phone moments ago. "It's kind of surreal right now. I've been getting a lot of calls and texts and I'm just trying to get a grip on it right now. I knew it was a possibility, but there is a whole different feeling when you are taken. It is...

Manager Buck Showalter, Mark Reynolds, Nick Markakis, Jake Arrieta and Craig Tatum Expected to Attend Current and former Orioles will host 80 second through fourth graders from Samuel F.B. Morse School as part of the 32nd Annual OriolesREACH Holiday Party for Kids next Tuesday, December 14, from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at Dave & Busters in the Arundel Mills Mall. The current Orioles, including newly acquired third baseman Mark Reynolds, who will be making his first trip to Baltimore as an...