Let it snow, let it snow...

Yesterday, closer Mike Gonzalez met the scribes in Baltimore yesterday in an introductory press conference and from what I got from him, I really enjoy his attitude. His deal is for is two-years, $12 million; however, it could climb to $16 million with some incentives.

Did the Orioles perhaps pay a tad above sticker price? Perhaps.

Sadly, the Orioles needed some help at the back-end of the bullpen and with Gonzales's numbers the past few years, plus the lack of quality pitching, they were going to pay. He looks to be ready to compete, likes the situation with Baltimore and really wants to close...

From the Baltimore Sun: The Orioles were, "Definitely on my radar, just seeing the talent alone that these guys have," said Gonzalez during a news conference Friday afternoon after he passed his Orioles physical. "But not only that, also looking at the lineup, seeing our team, seeing the core, I mean, the guys are not just young, but very talented."

-- snip --

Yet president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail stopped short of officially anointing Gonzalez as closer Friday.

"That is a possibility, probably likelihood, but it's not something that is guaranteed to him," MacPhail said. "There will be a competition."

Orioles manager Dave Trembley added in a telephone conference: "I would say he is at the top of the list [to be closer]. I think that's why we got him."

Go get em' Mike.

• Baseball America has released their top ten picks for the Orioles and Brian Matusz is the number one prospect in the organization. Third baseman Josh Bell -- acquired in the Sherrill trade -- is the second ranked prospect and other names includes are Zach Britton (LHP), Jake Arrieta (RHP), Matt Hobgood (RHP), Brandon Synder (1B), Brandon Erbe (RHP), Kam Mickolio (RHP), Mychal Givens (SS) and Caleb Joseph (C).
• MASN is still looking for a replacement for Buck Martinez (who left for a position with the Blue Jays). Peter Schmuck's blog on the Sun notes that, "the network reportedly has talked to Mike Flanagan -- who would seem to be an obvious candidate -- but continues to consider a number of other options", plus adds that, "Among the tantalizing names that are being thrown around behind closed doors are Bill Ripken, Brady Anderson and even Yankees broadcaster Ken Singleton, depending on his interest and contract situation.

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