I mention Baltimore so much these days sometimes I think I'm writing season six of The Wire. Marlo buys the Orioles!
- One of the final three free agents with a qualifying offer attached is reportedly close to a deal. The Orioles and Yovani Gallardo are both "optimistic" that they can reach a deal.
- If the Orioles can sign Gallardo, they may go all in and sign Dexter Fowler and Pedro Alvarez as well. They may also make a trade offer for Jay Bruce.
- Dave Cameron says the economics of losing draft picks means that it doesn't make sense for the Orioles to sign Fowler unless they sign Gallardo first. And that makes signing Gallardo more valuable, in that he allows the team to sign Fowler.
- Ken Rosenthal looks at the risks involved for the Orioles in such an "all-in" strategy. Rosenthal thinks that if the Orioles lose two draft picks, they are going to have to go heavy into Latin America, somewhere that they haven't had a big presence previously.
- As far as the third free agent with a QO goes, the White Sox are reportedly showing interest in Ian Desmond. The White Sox first draft pick is protected, so they have that advantage.
- Mike Axisa tries to determine how much money Bryce Harper is going to make when he becomes a free agent. His best answer is that however much you think he's going to make, it's going to be more than that.
- Players Association head Tony Clark is not happy with the way free agency is playing out this season and says the system is going to need to change in the next collective bargaining agreement. Clark also has something to say about several other issues that surround the CBA talks. The DH was not mentioned.
- If you want to know the details of the settlement of the class action lawsuit surrounding mlb.tv, David Fucillo has the rundown. Bottom line is that mlb.tv will cost less this season and you will have the option to just subscribe to one team if you want.
- This is something that affects me probably more than the rest of you, but for the first time ever, all 162 Oakland Athletics games will be televised locally in 2016. When I first moved into the Bay Area's territory, the A's only had about 100 games a year televised, and far less than that where I lived. That number has been creeping up since then, but it's amazing that it's taken this long.
- Craig Edwards looks at the next frontier in moneymaking for MLB owners: real estate. Or more specifically, development of the area around the ballpark. We've heard a lot about this at Wrigley Field.
- There is a dispute between the Braves and the Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority about who controls the bronze statue of Hank Aaron outside the stadium. The bottom line is that while the Braves are moving to the suburbs next season, giant bronze Hammerin' Hank may be staying in Atlanta.
- The next superstar coming over from Japan in Shohei Ohtani, writes Barry M. Bloom. He could be posted after this upcoming season. The big question is whether or not he's going to be a hitter or a pitcher. (Hint: he throws 100 mph. He's going to be a pitcher. He might DH a game or two.)
- The Rays are in "advanced talks" with former Cubs reliever Tommy Hunter.
- Jacob deGrom says he'd consider signing a long-term extension with the Mets.
- There was an actual trade as the Phillies acquired Taylor Featherston from the Angels for a player-to-be-named-later or
Davecash. - There was some suggestions that the Angels should consider trading Mike Trout to replenish their rock-bottom farm system. Grant Brisbee explains why that will never, ever happen.
- The Dodgers are shopping around Alex Guerrero.
- Yu Darvish says his recovery is progressing nicely and that he expects to be pitching again for the Rangers by mid-May.
- Wallace Matthews looks at the battle for the Yankees fifth starter job and after a poor season and after checking himself into rehab for alcoholism, CC Sabathia is fighting for a spot in the rotation this spring.
- Dave Cameron thinks the Yankees quiet offseason has made them the most underrated team in baseball.
- David Schoenfield looks at who were the best players on some recent terrible teams. Hey, there's Darwin Barney!
- Anthony Castrovince has a spring training question for all 30 MLB teams.
- Joe Posnanski looks at Bill James' prediction back in 1994 of who would enter the Hall of Fame in each of the next 25 seasons. Twenty-two years later, Posnanski marvels at how accurate James was. A fun read.
- Ozzie Guillen will manage again, although in Venezuela next winter. I really do want to see Guillen manage in the majors again. Just nowhere near the Cubs. He'd be a good fit for the Cardinals.
- Paul Casella has the five best sophomore seasons in baseball over the past 100 years.
- On the World Baseball Classic front, Jon Paul Morosi explains the dilemma facing Jimmy Boyce, who would lose his eligibility to play his senior season in high school in Washington if he pitched for his native New Zealand in the World Baseball Classic. Just an update: Boyce pitched for New Zealand last night and was the winning pitcher. Boyce said that if that ends his high school career, it was worth it to represent his country. (He can appeal the loss of eligibility. Hopefully it gets restored.)
- And of course, here's your regular WBC tradition of getting to watch the New Zealand team do the Haka dance before the game. It never gets old.
- And finally, I don't get to do many soccer stories here, but this one certainly qualifies. New Nationals infielder Daniel Murphy travelled to England to take on Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Eric Dier in a "dizzy baseball" challenge. Boy, that would be embarrassing if Murphy lost, wouldn't it? Watch the video and see who wins.
And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster.