Orioles Don't Sign Nick Green

The Orioles announced that Nick Green did not accept his contract. That means that there will likely be a battle for a roster spot between Brendan Harris and Robert Andino.

George Sherrill Signs with the Braves

The Orioles were rumored to be a potential landing place for relief pitcher George Sherrill, but the chances of that happening have been crushed. Sherrill has inked a deal with the Braves today on a 1-year deal worth $1.2 million. The deal can be worth up to $1.4 million if he reaches certain incentives. Sherill was non-tendered by the Dodgers this fall, after posting a 6.69 ERA in 36.1 innings for the Dodgers last year. The Dodgers acquired Sherrill from Baltimore for third base prospect Josh Bell. Bell is currently on the Orioles' active roster, and as of now, is likely going to play first base for the O's next season.

Nolan Reimold Staying Put?

As we saw earlier this week, the Orioles seem to want to keep Nolan Reimold. Reports earlier in the offseason speculated that the O's may try to trade Reimold, as they already have a crowded outfield with Luke Scott, Adam Jones, Felix Pie, and Nick Markakis. But, earlier this week the Orioles decided not to send Reimold to Tampa in a deal that would have gotten the Orioles Jason Bartlett. So, we can speculate that perhaps there is still a future for the young outfielder in Charm City.

Manny Machado Scouting Report

He was drafted out of high school and has been compared to Alex Rodriguez. This is Orioles prospect Manny Machado. Machado was selected by the Orioles with the 3rd overall pick in the 2010 Ameteur Draft, and is projected to be their shortstop of the future.

Machado tends to stand in the back of the batter's box, giving him more time to see a pitch and get good wood on it. Machado's batting stance is similar to that of Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond. He is a righty, his back foot is stationary very close to the catcher, and his front foot is stretched out left towards third base. However, despite these close similarities to the finesse hitter, Machado also has similarities to power-hitter Alex Rodriguez. The actual way he swings the bat is quite similar to that of Rodriguez. He has a very simple swing, and it stays nice and straight, allowing him to make contact with the ball right on the sweet spot.

Machado is also a great defender. He has great range and a solid arm. The way he throws is at a one half arm slot, similar to the way a side-arm pitcher pitches. This arm motion is also comparable to that of Alex Rodriguez. Generally, it is unorthodox to throw side-arm, as it fatigues your arm much quicker than the tradition methods of over-the-top throwing and using the three quarter arm slot. These two methods fatigue your arm much more slowly, and generally generate a stronger throw with less effort involved. However, both Rodriguez and Machado get it done with the one half motion, and it certainly hasn't held them back.

Orioles Sign Nick Green

The Orioles have added utility player Nick Green to their roster on a minor league contract. Green will also be invited to Spring Training. Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun suggest that Green will likely battle Robert Andino and Brendan Harris for a roster spot. Andino has been with Baltimore for the past 2 seasons, and Harris was acquired from Minnesota in the J.J. Hardy trade.

Green has spent time with the Blue Jays, Dodgers, and Red Sox over the past two seasons, but only saw 23 big-league at-bats this past season, posting a very low .232 batting average over those at-bats.

Orioles Re-Up Cesar Izturis

The Orioles have brought back shortstop Cesar Izturis on a 1-year, $2.5 million deal. The deal also has $1.7 million in incentives, but those will be tough to reach if J.J. Hardy is the starter. Izturis doesn't have a very strong bat by any means, posting a .230 batting average last season, but he is a strong defensive shortstop. Last season he boasted a very solid UZR/150 (5.8) in 1250 defensive half-innings.

Orioles Have Offer to Kevin Gregg

The Orioles have a 2 year offer on the table to Type B relief pitcher Kevin Gregg. The offer is worth $8-$10 million. This offer came as some what of a surprise because of the signing of Koji Uehara earlier in the week. However, Orioles General Manager Andy McPhail acknowledged that Uehara has not been guarenteed the role of closer heading into Spring Training, so they could still offer Gregg the closer role. Baltimore joins Boston, Washington, Seattle, and Pittsburgh as the teams that have offers out to Gregg. Colorado has also shown interest in the former Blue Jay, but no formal offer has been announced.

Orioles Acquire Hardy, Harris from Twins

After recently failing to acquire shortstop Jason Bartlett from the Tampa Bay Rays, the Orioles stayed persistent on landing a shortstop, and acquired J.J. Hardy today from the Twins, along with infielder Brendan Harris. Hardy joins Mark Reynolds as the newly acquired left side of Baltimore's infield, and Harris will likely be a utility/bench player. The Orioles sent minor league pitchers Brett Jacobson and Jim Hoey to Minnesota in return.

Orioles To Sign Koji Uehara

The Orioles have reached an agreement with relief pitcher Koji Uehara. Uehara had previously pitched for the Orioles in 2009 and 2010, pitching relatively well in both seasons. Uehara really blossomed after Buck Showalter, and is expected to repeat success this season. Uehara's deal is for 1 year, with a vesting option for 2012, and it is worth $3 million with about $2 million more in incentives.

Ty Wigginton Signs with the Rockies

Former Orioles' first baseman Ty Wigginton has signed with the Colorado Rockies on a 2-year, $8M contract that has an option for 2013. Wigginton was an All-Star with Baltimore last season, hitting 22 homeruns, which is double how many he hit in 2009. He also drove in 76 runs while posting an average .248 batting average.

Bartlett Trade Falls Through

The Orioles had been working on a trade with the Rays that would send shortstop Jason Bartett to Baltimore. The Rays wanted Nolan Reimold and Alfredo Simon in return, but the Orioles have taken Reimold off the table, so the deal is off. The Orioles will likely move on to other options such as trade-candidates J.J. Hardy and Brendan Ryan, and free agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera.

Free Agent Notes

The Orioles are close to a deal with Koji Uehara, reports Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. The Orioles also have a 2-year offer out to relief pitcher Kevin Gregg. Gregg spent last season with the Toronto Blue Jays.

In other news, Manny Delcarmen, who was recently non-tendered by the Colorado Rockies, is drawing interest from 2 AL East teams. One of these teams is not the Red Sox, and based on how much the Orioles are trying to improve their bullpen, its safe to assume that they are one of the teams.

Bobby Jenks

Jeff Zriebec has done some more great reporting, noting that the Orioles have contacted the representatives for Bobby Jenks. This is another instance of Andy McPhail trying to make things happen. The Orioles seem to really be trying to improve their bullpen this offseason.

Orioles Look to Bolster Bullpen

Jeff Zriebec reports that the Orioles have contacted the representatives for Grant Balfour, Jesse Crain, Scott Downs, Brian Fuentes, Matt Guerrier, and Kerry Wood. He also reports that the O's have atleast one offer out to one of these pitchers. Adding some of these guys would help Baltimore to a large extent, as they led the league in blown saves last season, with 27.

Pat Gillick voted into Cooperstown

Former Orioles General Manager Pat Gillick was voted into the Hall of Fame today by the Hall's 16-man Expansion Era Committee. Gillick becomes the 32nd executive to be elected into the hall, and rightly so. He constructed 3 World Series teams, and led his teams to 11 different postseason appearences. He has served the game as an executive for almost 50 years, and currently serves as senior adviser to the Phillies. He was also an executive for the Blue Jays, Astros (then known as Colt .45's), and Yankees.

Orioles Acquire Mark Reynolds

Today the Orioles finalized the deal that brought them offensive machine, third baseman Mark Reynolds. He may set the record for strikeouts in a season almost annually, but he is a force to be reckoned at the plate. The Orioles sent closer David Hernandez and hard-throwing righty Kam Mickolio to the D'Backs in return. Reynolds is under contract for 2 more years, with an option for 2013.

One Less Suitor, Orioles Getting Closer?

Jack Macgruder of FOX Sports Arizona says that Mark Reynolds will not be traded to the Padres. He says that Arizona is looking for two relief pitchers in return for Reynolds.

Reynolds would have been the replacement bat that the Pad's needed to replace Adrian Gonzalez, who was traded to the Red Sox yesterday.

Reynolds is under contract for $5M in 2011 and $7.5M in 2012 with a club option of $11M for 2013.

Yesterday we heard that the Orioles are the frontrunners to land Reynolds.