Two of the players that must be high on the O's list as possible first baseman for 2011 are Paul Konerko and Carlos Pena. By now, the O's must have had discussions with both and, according to one report, have offered a deal to Konerko. The decisions the club would have to make in choosing between those two and others would have a lot to do with money and length of contract. I cannot see the O's getting Konerko, or having a real chance, without a three or four-year deal. If Adam Dunn...

Longtime Orioles umpire attendant Ernie Tyler is being transferred to a rehabilitation facility and continues to progress well after undergoing surgery to remove a benign brain tumor. Tyler's son, Jimmy, passed along the news to an Orioles official. Ernie had been hospitalized at the University of Maryland Medical Center since Oct. 2 and underwent the surgery four days later. Continue to hold a good thought for him. A member of the Orioles' Hall of Fame, Tyler worked 3,819 consecutive home...

Well, here's your latest rumor: The Orioles have made a "significant" offer to free-agent first baseman Paul Konerko, according to a tweet from former executive Jim Bowden. This wouldn't be a huge surprise, since the Orioles chased Konerko in the winter of 2005 and watched him take less money to re-sign with the Chicago White Sox. They need a first baseman with power. He's a first baseman with power. He's also been viewed as a guy who would rather go someplace else, as he's shown in...

Nationals' second baseman Danny Espinosa underwent hand surgery the day before Thanksgiving to remove the hamate bone and is recovering nicely. "My right hand feels good," reports Espinosa. "I can move my fingers and my wrist. The stitches are still in place, but I do not need pain medication." Espinosa says the injury occurred while playing winter ball in Puerto Rico, but he doesn't remember the exact moment because the pain was never intolerable. "I actually don't know when I...

Friends and fans have pointed out that Columbia Pictures has scheduled the world premiere of How Do You Know, a romantic comedy featuring Owen Wilson, Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd and Jack Nicholson for Monday, Dec. 13th at 7 p.m. the Regency Village Theatre and the Regency Bruin Theatre in Los Angeles. Tickets are available starting at $350, which includes the premiere screening and a private after-party. In the movie, Owen Wilson plays "Matty," a Washington Nationals reliever. Fans can...

It's with great joy that I can finally proclaim, without fear of contradiction or late signing, that the ship has sailed on Miguel Tejada. Nothing against Tejada, but I wasn't ready for another reunion. How can I miss him if he doesn't leave? He's gone, having reportedly agreed to a one-year, $6.5 million deal with the Giants last night. I didn't think the Orioles would re-sign him to play third base, but at least that temptation has been removed. And all that fuss over Ryan Theriot...

After the Orioles' organizational meetings in Arizona ended last month, O's minor league pitching coordinator Dave Schmidt watched some O's pitchers work in some AFL games and then he headed for California. He spent some time with Matt Hobgood, the O's top pick in the 2009 draft, who went 3-7, 4.40 in 94 innings last year with the Delmarva Shorebirds. Hobgood dealt some with back spasms and shoulder soreness last year. And, it's no secret the right-hander could have been in better shape...

Nationals left-handed starting pitcher John Lannan is enjoying his off season and will begin throwing soon as he gets ready for 2011 spring training. It was a roller coaster summer for Lannan, as he fought off a tendon problem, a demotion to Harrisburg, and then rebounded nicely to finish with a flourish. Lannan ended up with an 8-8 record and a 4.65 ERA, but in his final 10 starts, he posted a 6-3 record with a 3.41 ERA. He allowed 4 ER only twice in that span. Lannan says overcoming the...

Once again, I find myself promoting the MLB Network's Prime 9 program that airs tonight at 8 p.m., but only because of another Orioles connection. The top 9 third basemen in baseball history will be featured, and yes, Brooks Robinson is included. As if he could possibly be omitted. I don't know where he's ranked, but he'll be joined by Mike Schmidt, George Brett and Alex Rodriguez, among others. Rodriguez also made the Top 9 for all-time shortstops (I believe Cal Ripken ranked...

Want to see what those slick new uniforms look like in action? Check out this video. The Nationals posted a behind the scenes video from a recent photo shoot with Ryan Zimmerman, Tyler Clippard, Drew Storen, Jordan Zimmermann, John Lannan and Ian Desmond. You'll hear from photographer Donald Miralle about how the shots came together during a few sessions at Nationals Park. Some feature the new uniforms, some feature street clothes -- all of them will make you want to look for a calendar...