cincinnati reds

Orioles sign Dontrelle Willis to minor-league contract

Cuban defector Yeonis Cespedes made quite an entrance on Saturday, hitting a home run and an RBI single in his exhibition debut for the Oakland A's

The Orioles are closing in on a minor-league deal with veteran first baseman Nick Johnson that would include an invitation to spring training.

Slugger wants new deal at market value but Texas Rangers have him on hold as they pursue Prince Fielder

The Orioles have expressed some interest in the lone viable free-agent closer, Francisco Cordero, according to an industry source.

Leave it up to the qualifying members of the Baseball Writers Association of America to make their own decision, says former Orioles great Rafael Palmeiro. The Hall of Fame doesn't need to offer any advice beyond what it already suggests about character and integrity, he believes.

Barry Larkin makes Hall; Rafael Palmeiro gets slight increase

The Orioles' primary search this offseason continues to be pitching, and one free agent they have had multiple conversations with is lefty Joe Saunders, according to an industry source.

The Orioles' presence at a workout by Yoenis Cespedes showcases their expanded international efforts. Four Orioles representatives, including manager Buck Showalter and new executive director of international recruiting Fred Ferreira, will watch the 26-year-old Cuban outfielder work out Saturday.

Thomas and Ferreira, both 75, will form brain trust for new O's GM

New Orioles lead executive Dan Duquette has long been obsessed with the game of baseball

The Orioles in 2012 will unveil statues of the six men who entered the Hall of Fame as Orioles. Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson, Earl Weaver, Jim Palmer, Eddie Murray and Cal Ripken Jr. will each be honored with his own monument at Camden Yards as part of the stadium's 20th-anniversary celebration.

Orioles interview Dodgers executive De Jon Watson. 45-year-old has been instrumental in scouting, player development.

In baseball, underdogs aren't the heroes they once were

Orioles: Orioles lefty Brian Matusz could pitch, maybe even start, again this year. Orioles manager Buck Showalter says he might consider lefty, who has 'gotten after it,' for start next week.

Even a seven-homer slugfest was not enough to make anyone forget what was really important about the Orioles' 11-10 loss to the New York Yankees on a steamy Monday afternoon in the Bronx.

Since baseball's best brains can't figure out realignment, we give it a try.

The Orioles are really starting to hit their stride offensively. One of the reasons I know this is because I am the one who had to add each of the nine homers they hit in this weekend's series win over the Reds into our nifty home run database. You probably noticed all the balls that flew into the Camden Yards bleachers, too, and if you haven¿t checked the stats recently, the Orioles are rising fast in many offensive categories.

Brian Matusz got slapped around again on Saturday night, allowing nine hits, three homers and six earned runs before manager Buck Showalter had seen enough and removed the Orioles starter in the fifth inning. In his past three outings -- all Orioles losses -- the 24-year-old left-hander has a 15.58 ERA in 11 1/3 innings.