It's cold out right now and most -- if not all -- of the conversation on sports talk radio centers around the Super Bowl (with good reason); however, I guess now is a good time as any to see how the American League East may shape out this season.

As always, it will be one tough division.

Obviously, this is just an opinion, but the big dogs - the Yankees and Red Sox -- will finish in the top two spots. The Rays will finish a solid third, the Orioles fourth and the Jays fifth.

Here's the reasoning why the teams will place where they will and why.

• Boston Red Sox: I think this is the year they take the division. To begin with, they always have a fairly solid team, but they have added a bulldog pitcher - John Lackey - and have a starting rotation that can match the Yankees. Their offense suffered at times last season, but if David Ortiz can reclaim his career, if Adrian Beltre can benefit from Fenway and if Victor Martinez can continue to hit, they'll be difficult to beat. I think the Red Sox bullpen is fairly strong; however, Jonathan Papelbon did look shaky at times in 2009. All things considered, they still have a complete team and should win the division.
• The New York Yankees: Yes, they are the reigning World Champions, and yes, they do have C.C. Sabathia, Jeter, A-Rod, Mariano Rivera, Mark Teixiera and team full of other great players. Their problem is I see on the horizon: age. As talented as they are, the Yankees have several guys -- some of their top guys -- on the wrong side of 30. Everything came together for them last year, but I would think the issue of age, plus A-Rod's hip would have to play a role in how the they in 2010 and beyond. But, I do think at some point, some of their top guys will start to play their age than at continually at an elite level. I do think the addition of Javier Vasquez was a plus, but I have my doubts about Granderson in the Bronx and the loss of key guys - Damon and Matsui. Their bullpen is solid, and if Mariano is still healthy, then there's no reason to see why the Yankees won't win.
  
• Tampa Bay Rays: They have a nice young core, plus nice players in Evan Longoria, Carlos Pena and Carl Crawford - in which the last two could be traded if Tampa of the playoff hunt mid-season -- but, they don't have the firepower to contend with the Yankees. Tampa has some nice young starting pitching, but their bullpen seems to somewhat shaky, and their lineup is weak in comparison to New York and Boston. Sadly, because of money issues, they cannot build upon what they have for most part in the free agent market and have do everything from within.
  
• Baltimore Orioles: The Orioles seem to have a plan in place and young players to hopefully acheive their goals with. They won't contend in 2010, but if the youngsters play to their potential and the mainstays play as they always have, Andy MacPhail and the organization may a grab a free agent or two in the next off-season to put things seriously into high gear. The starting pitching will need to perform a lot better than last year, the starting lineup doesn't have a bopper, and while the bullpen may be better -- consistency will be the key.
  
• Toronto Blue Jays: Much like Baltimore, they have a young staff and they have a lot of potential. However, with Roy Halladay gone, a bloated lineup and lack of offense from some positions, in addition to rumored money problems, the Jays much like the Orioles are rebuilding. Toronto over the past several seasons have always seemed to put a competitive team on the field, but those days may be numbered for now.

Pitchers and catchers show up to Sarasota in a little more than two weeks, and it goes without saying, most fans are happy and ready for baseball at this time of year. Hope does really spring eternal, but as it is right now, the Orioles will more than likely finish up in the second division or close to .500.

Forget about contending this year or maybe in 2012; however, if the Orioles do show signs of improvement this season, then maybe they could finally spend the dollars and get a free agent or two.

Right now, the problem is that the Red Sox and the Yankees have finances and the wherewithal to seemingly do as they please. Then again, both teams -- especially the Red Sox -- are vey well run, so let's hope Andy MacPhail and the scouting can keep up with both of those organizations.

The Orioles have to keep piling up the prospects, finding young arms and players they can have under their control for many, many years. Defeating the Beats of the East won't be easy, but the organization does seem to be trending in the right direction.

Looking back though, although the Red Sox and Yankees have done exceedingly well with the wealth, talent and personnel they've acquired, much of the Orioles problems the have faced in the past decade have been their own doing.

Bad free agent signings, horrible drafts, trades, production of talent from the minors to an extent has led the organization to stand where they are today. In addition, once you add the deteroriation of a fan base over some time and attendance falling to less than two million last season, baseball seemed to be dying a slow death in Baltimore.

However, you cannot say within the past few seasons that the Orioles have improved leaps and bounds within their minor league system.

The organization has the tools, like youngsters Matt Wieters, Adam Jones, Nolan Reimold, and mainstays such as Nick Markakis and Brian Roberts; therefore, can the next step be taken towards respectability? They have the core, but can they stay consistent and keep up with the rest of the AL, especially the East.

Yes, a lot has to go right, but the Orioles seem to have a plan in place and young players to hopefully acheive their goals with. I don't see contention in '10, but they should not come close to losing 100 games again -- I hope.

Even though he's been gone from Baltimore since the 1996 season, former announcer Jon Miller still is remembered quite fondly by Oriole fans all over.

Now, he's being bestowed with a special honor -- the National Baseball Hall of Fame has selected him as the 2010 recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award.

Although Miller can still be heard with the San Francisco Giants and seen on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball, the man should have still been retained with Baltimore.

I'm sure a lot of Orioles fans feel the same way right now. Seeing and hearing Miller today, it still looks like he's having fun and that voice...

Below is a video I found on Youtube from 1989 profiling Jon Miller and his work with the Orioles. In the video, you'll see a younger Joe Angel, who despite several decades doesn't look much different.

It looks like Melvin Mora has officially moved on from the Orioles. Today, he signed a one-year deal with the Colorado Rockies.

From the Rockies MLB Website: The Rockies agreed a one-year, $1.275 million deal with infielder Melvin Mora on Sunday, pending the results of a physical, Major League sources told MLB.com.

Signing Mora, a two-time All-Star who turns 38 on Tuesday, means the Rockies have the right-handed-hitting utility player they've been seeking this winter. They've also signed left-handed-hitting Jason Giambi.

Mora, a career .278 hitter who hit .260 with eight home runs and 48 RBIs for the Orioles last season, appeared in 124 games at third in 2009, giving the team an experienced third baseman to step in, should Ian Stewart be injured or need to be spelled against left-handed pitching. Mora, who has also seen time at shortstop, can also spell Troy Tulowitzki, has extensive experience in center field, and has worked at second base.

Did Father Time catch up with Mora? Yes.

Did he pop off his mouth at inopportune times? Definitely.

However, he was one of the few Orioles who made his home in the region full-time and made himself part of the community through his charity work. Therefore, I respect him a ton.

It's too bad he could not finish his career in Baltimore; however, maybe down the road, he'll be inducted into the team Hall of Fame and have some type of role in the organization.

Snow is falling once again in Charm City and as I stare at the flakes falling, fluttering, slowly down to the pavement below I sit a ponder. Many things wander and weave through my mind; there really isn't much else to do on a day like this. So I am sitting on the couch, with "The Sandlot" playing on the television behind me dreaming of baseball and what the Spring has in store.

The Orioles of course face a daunting task of playing the toughest division in baseball, blah blah blah, we have heard that all before and there is no use into going into all that again.  Various projections of course have the Yankees challenging for 100+ wins and the Red Sox close behind them.  Surprisingly the Orioles are not the doormats in a lot of these projections, more than a could have us winning between 75-83 games.

So where do I see the Orioles landing in October at this admittedly very early stage of things? Glad you asked internet, lets take a look at the winter's acquisitions.

Kevin Millwood: Arguably the most important acquisition of the winter. I bet no one ever expected to see "most important" and "Kevin Millwood" in the same statement, but in this case it is true. Andy's first real move of the winter sent struggling relief pitcher/ closer Chris Ray to the Rangers for the veteran starter. By default, Millwood becomes the Orioles "ace" but we all know that is not the case. Critics of MacPhail and the move in general will derisively call Millwood our "ace", but even they know that they are using the terminology as an excuse to be needlessly negative. Millwood was brought in here to be one thing and one thing only, a source of stability. Millwood does not need to be a number one starter; don't let his likely opening day start fool you. He is here to take pressure off of the real source of strength in the rotation coming from Bergesen and, hopefully, Matusz and Tillman.

Millwood's 198 innings of sub-4.00 ball would be a welcome force in what reckons to be a volatile young rotation. On top of that Millwood did a very good job in a home stadium that has slightly fewer things flying out of it than the Southwest hub in Dallas. The 2009 Orioles gave up a league-worst 218 home runs so the team needs all the help it can get in that department and Millwood will offer that.

Prediction: 180-200 innings; 4.50 ERA

Garrett Atkins: Atkins was signed as a free agent to a one-year deal and seems destined to man the hot-corner until Josh Bell matured a little more in the minors. But, surprisingly, Atkins will move across the diamond to first base. Atkins had a monster season in Colorado - three years ago - and since has fallen on hard times. His last three seasons have been marked by consistent decline and what seems to be a complete loss of any consistency at the plate. The Orioles hope that Terry Crowley can straighten Atkins out and he can be a viable option at first and a solid bat in the lineup. Personally, color me "meh" about this signing. Atkins is he stop-gappiest of stop-gaps out there. At third he made sense, but at first I guess the Orioles are hoping Brandon Snyder comes a long or maybe Micahel Aubrey proves to be more than organizational filler.

Atkins is a candidate for a rebound year, anything is possible after all and I doubt anyone just "forgets" how to swing a bat. I expect Crowley to help Atkins, and i expect a little bit of a rebound but I doubt that he is anything better than league average at best. The Orioles hole at first base is very much a problem and has been for awhile, Atkins is not the answer but he should provide a better option than another year of Huff or someone of that ilk.

Prediction: .270-.280; 13-15 HR; .720-.790 OPS

Mike Gonzalez: Gonzalez is a power pitcher that the Orioles signed to be their new closer. most scouting reports say pretty much the same thing about Gonzalez, or "The Cobra".

A tenacious pitcher who goes after hitters. Has fantastic arm speed, a dominant fastball and a plus slider. He also likes pressure situations. Can be wild at times and gives up too many free passes. Injuries have become a major issue over the course of his big-league career.

I am looking forward to seeing Gonzalez pitch. But the one thing I want to know about Gonzalez is how he avoids a balk call with every pitch.

Prediction: 25-35 saves

Miguel Tejada: If you told me in August that Miguel Tejada would be back with the Orioles in 2010 I would have laughed. And I would have been against the idea. I would have thought that singing Tejada would have meant at least a two year commitment and way too much money. I would have thought that it meant not having a viable long-term option at shortstop and filling it with an aging super-star that has lost a step. Well, luckily that is not how it worked out.

I won't go through the whole Tejada mess again, read all about here, there and everywhere else in the Orioles ether but to me it is a good deal because of the length of contract and what it does in the short term. Josh Bell is most likely not ready to be an everyday player in the MLB, Joe Crede would have been a great defensive guy but his bat would have left a crater in the Orioles lineup. Picking up Miggy means that the Orioles have a much stronger lineup and a lot of flexibility.

Prediction: .290-.310; 13-18HR; .760-.850 OPS

The real moral of the story thus far is that the Orioles signed support staff. Andy MacPhail seems to be surrounding the young core of the team with key pieces to support their development, some people might not see it that way. Some people might not want believe it but the way I see it no matter who we signed this Winter 2010 rests solely on the development  and progression of the players the Orioles already have. If Matt Wieters doesn't unleash "Hellfire"; if Bergesen, Matusz and Tillman don't take the next step; if Markakis, Jones and Riemold don't become one of the best outfields in MLB then the moves made or not made will not matter at all.

Will all of those things happen? Maybe, most likely not. The Orioles offense will eb solid, but the pitching will be volatile and struggle at times.

2010 Prediction: 76-85 wins.

PS: If the Orioles fail to break .500 but record 75-80 wins, does Trembley keep his job?

There's not much out there to report on today from the 'net. It's snowing out, it's white and pretty, but I wish I was doing more than sitting on my arse and doing nothing.

On the other hand, it's nice to see the Duke Blue Devils losing to the Georgetown Hoyas down in D.C. via CBS, plus seeing President Obama in attendance.

• Luke Scott is featured in article on MLB.com on how players prepare for Spring Training.
• The Batimore Sun's Peter Schmuck has an update on Bedard.
• Former Oriole Eric Byrnes has signed a one-year deal with the Mariners.
• Roch Kubatko has an update on Koji Uehara.
• Steve Melewski looks at the Baltimore offense.
• Stacey from Camden Chat will be appearing on WNST tomorrow afternoon to discuss the Orioles.
• Oh yes, and someone please tell me why I should buy an IPad as I already have a laptop that works fine, plus a Blackberry Storm, and a Treo smartphone. I'm reading the reviews and they aren't very good...
  
  

No one really knows if Bedard is ready to come back or if he’s fully healthy, but he should be able to pitch in the early/mid part of 2010. Despite questions about his makeup, desire, and durability, the southpaw can pitch, and he'll be in demand -- if and when he's ready to pitch.

So far, he’s not said much – if anything all – nor, have I heard his name elsewhere when it comes to rumors.

This is what I have found about Bedard so far on various websites. I'd take everything with a grain of salt. I really don't think anyone knows anything pertaining to him as of yet...

***

From the Seattle Times: In other health news, Griffin is monitoring free-agent pitcher Erik Bedard. While he reports Bedard is playing catch and "feeling very good" in his recovery from shoulder surgery on Aug. 14, Griffin added, "When he had his surgery last year, Dr. (Lewis) Yocum said it was a 10- to 12-month process, and he's at about seven months now. He has a ways to go, but he's working and rehabbing."

From the Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Kansas City Star reporter Sam Mellinger reported Thursday morning on his Twitter page that the Royals are interested in oft-injured left-handed free agent Erik Bedard.

"Continuing to hear the Royals are looking into Erik Bedard, but facing some real risk vs. reward," Mellinger wrote. "He's one of the best when healthy, but has thrown 164 innings combined the last two seasons, and never thrown 200 (196 in '06). And that was before surgery, and (he's) turning 31."

-- snip --

Even with his injury history, Bedard might be out of the stingy Royals' price range. Mellinger isn't optimistic that the team will sign him. "For whatever it's worth, it feels unlikely," Mellinger wrote.

Bedard reportedly has received interest from the Chicago Cubs and the Orioles, among other teams.

From ESPN (Jayson Stark): Miguel Tejada might not be the last ex-Oriole to pull back into Camden Yards this winter. The Orioles also have been working on bringing back their old amigo, Erik Bedard. And according to a source familiar with Bedard's thinking, that interest is "mutual." Whether they can agree on price, in the wake of the Ben Sheets contract, is another story.

From the Washington Post: The big question for the Orioles regarding Bedard, as it will be for every other team, is the state of his surgically repaired left shoulder. The Orioles' medical staff is expected to examine Bedard's medical records in the coming days.

"His name's on the board, just like there's a lot of other guys' names on the board," Orioles Manager Dave Trembley said. "[But] I don't think we're in position to get a guy [who's] not ready to pitch until June. I think if we get a guy, we need a guy who's going to pitch at the beginning of the year."

***

I have feeling that Bedard will end up in Baltimore when all is said and done as.

He'll obviously accept an incentive laden-deal, but his upside can be so good -- despite everything -- that Bedard could help any club he signs with.

Here's the roundup for today...

• The newly re-signed Mark Hendrickson is glad to be back with the Orioles.
• Roch Kubatko looks at the Oriole bullpen. Meanwhile, he chats with Bruce Cunnigham on the state of the team.
  
• Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun looks at the decision the organization made to not include former Orioles as Spring Training coaches in 2010. He also thinks the reliever Armando Gabino may be a casuality of Hendrickson re-upping with the Orioles.
• The Orioles.com website takes a look at Luke Scott.
• Steve Melewski has a piece on Brandon Snyder.
• Jeremy Conn speaks with Keith Law on the Orioles prospects.
• Does anyone think that Dennis Sarfate isn't bitter that he was DFA'ed?
• The Washington Post's Dave Shenin commends the Orioles on their moves.
  
• Miguel Tejada speaks about the disaster in Haiti.
  
• The Sun's Dan Connolly wants fans to evaluate the off-season.
  
• WNST's Drew Forrester reviews the off-season for the Orioles; meanwhile, Thryl Nelson believes that the Orioles should just give in and pay starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie. I agree with Thryl's assesement as I never got -- aside from business and that they could get away with it -- why the team decided to lower Guthrie's salary.
• Keith Mills looks at the death of Maryland native and Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart.
• The Roar from 34 has some great stuff from Sarasota, Florida.
  
• Stan Charles looks at Tejada's role on the Baltimore Orioles in 2010. Pete Kerzel looks at the acquisition of Mark Hendrickson.
• Stacey of Camden Chat ponders about Erik Bedard.
• Baltimore Sports and Life chats with Joe Jordan - Director of Amateur Scouting with the Baltimore Orioles. Good stuff, Chris.
• The Oriole Report looks at the Spring Training Invites.
  
• Camden Crazies likes the cost-effectiveness of Mark Hendrickson's deal, and talks about blogging ethics. Both Dempsey's Army and Camden Depot also weigh in.
  
• Eutaw Street Hooligans has another video from FanFest.
• The Loss Column looks at what's to come for the Baltimore Orioles.
• Finally, the Slanch Report takes a sardonic look at Nick Markakis and compares him to actor Gerard Butler, who starred in the movie epic "300".

(a tip of the hat to Camden Chat and Kate Wheelers's MASN blog...)

As we all know, the Orioles' new Spring Training home will be in Sarasota this season (at Ed Smith Stadium as well as the Buck O'Neil Stadium complex) and for the upcoming future; therefore, the team is looking to spruce up and renovate the property. However, a nasty little thing such as politics are getting in the way, and the stadium development plan could be possibly held up.

And yes, there's even a lot of legal wrangling...

Meanwhile, it looks like the stadium is already being spruced up for the arrival of the Baltimore Orioles for Spring Training.

However, as noted by Greg Bader - Communications Director for the Baltimore Orioles - the interest in that part of Florida for Spring Training baseball is very high and ticket sales seem to be doing well; plus, that the whole complex will be updated.

According to the Herald Trubine of Sarasota, the stadium when renovations are complete will have a new feel...

One of the biggest changes will be the very feel of the stadium. Instead of the one-story Ed Smith where the behind-home-plate entrance led into a wall, the new two-story facade features a trio of arches with a direct view onto the field.

Passing through the arches, visitors will suddenly have a full view of the ball field, says Sarasota architect Gary Hoyt, who is collaborating with Washington, D.C.-based architect David Schwarz on the project.

"It's a welcoming shape," Hoyt said. And different from Ed Smith, where "you're either in the stadium or out."

Here's more information on the project:

After a decade in Sarasota, the Reds wanted to tear down and rebuild the 20-year-old stadium, and decided to move their spring training to Arizona after local voters rejected a $54 million rebuild that would have included things like berm seating and atiki bar.

The Orioles' plan includes a second-level concourse for concessions, more shaded areas for fans, a party deck in right field, a grass berm and a shaded picnic area in left field.

Fans will have more choices about how they watch the game. And the changes will address one of the most persistent gripes about Ed Smith: too much seating in the sun.

With the new layout, "If you want to get out of the sun, and you don't want to miss the action, you can walk to the back of the grandstand" to a large shaded area there, said Janet Marie Smith, the team's vice president of planning and development.

Construction is scheduled to start in early April, after the Orioles complete their 2010 spring training season at the existing Ed Smith.

Using more of the existing stadium will help the Orioles stretch their budget for renovations, Smith said. The total number of seats will be 8,500 to 9,000 (Ed Smith currently seats 7,500), and has not changed since July, when the team and local governments signed a detailed agreement for spring training. The governments are providing $31.2 million.

The ballpark's design has gone through an evolution in recent months to a point that "we're literally not throwing anything away," she said.

The Orioles also plan to add to existing clubhouses.

What people often lose sight of is that a spring training facility is at least as much about developing ballplayers as entertaining fans, Smith said.

(drawing from the Herald Trubine)

Here are some renderings of the new project (from MASN)...

If people are really that interested to look at the Sarasota County Government website for more info, there are links here, here and a video here.