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...

Since he was drafted by the Orioles in round seven out of Ohio State in 2007, outfielder Matt Angle has made steady progress through the minor leagues and, in November, he joined Joe Mahoney and Zach Britton in being added to the 40-man roster for the first time. "It was a great day," the 25-year-old Angle said. "It's an honor and for them to think enough of me to be a part of that it's just an honor and was a great day overall. "It's just another step in the ultimate goal of winning...

I had a nice chat with manager Buck Showalter earlier today, and Derrek Lee was the primary subject. The timing seemed right. Showalter wanted to make sure that Lee's signing was official before he commented. I assured him that the Orioles sent out the press release and arranged a conference call. We were good. "I think he brings a presence in our lineup and in our clubhouse, and a certain pedigree, so to speak, of quality play," Showalter said. "The thing that's intriguing is, the...

The Orioles remain focused on a left-handed reliever and a veteran starter as we count down the final weeks before spring training. And they're not expected to sign anyone in the near future. There isn't much of a distinction among the remaining pitchers on the market, so yes, they'll let it play out and wait for the prices to fall. As for adding another bat - and the Vladimir Guerrero rumor has suddenly gained momentum - the door hasn't completely slammed shut on him, but his price...