Former Oriole Melvin Mora may have work soon -- but not with the Orioles and he may have to wait until the market settles itself out. The Baltimore Sun reports that three teams - two in the NL, and one in the AL - have interest in Mora.

One would think the teamould perhaps re-sign him to a lesser deal and he serve as a backup. However, who knows what the relationship between Mora and the team might be considering some his blow-ups his decline, also friction with manager Dave Trembley last season.

Despite it all, Mora has been on a downward trend number-wise at the plate, but he was a solid defender at third and a solid member of the community.

It's too bad that he more than likely may not play for Baltimore again and perhaps both sides have moved on.

***

Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated/CNN believes that the Orioles are still in the hunt for Holliday despite reports to the contrary last week.

It is believed the Cardinals at one point offered a seven-year deal for Matt Holliday, and one league source pegged that bid at $16 million per year, making the proposal worth $112 million. But Holliday appears to be shooting for at least $18 million annually, the figure the Cubs paid Alfonso Soriano two years ago. Cardinals people are expressing faith they will be able to re-sign him. The Orioles have been in the bidding despite comments by their people downplaying their interest and involvement, as one person familiar with their situation says they are "laying in the weeds.''

However, this morning, it looks from reports that Cardinals are inching closer to a deal with Holliday.

Well, tonight, Holliday did indeed re-sign with St. Louis. According to ESPN, the deal is for seven years and between $119 million and $120 million with a team option at the end of the contract.

***

As well, one of the Orioles' third base targets this offseason, Adrian Beltre, signed a one-year deal with the Red Sox a guaranteed $10 million in 2009. I'm also surprised he got that much money, but he's one of the top glove men in the game and he's got a potent bat that should improve considering the dimensions of Fenway Park. Who knows what will happen to Mike Lowell, but one had to consider that he'll be traded before Spring Training.

Happy 2010 everyone. The start of Spring Training will be here sooner than we know --  a mere six or seven or so weeks away -- and right now, the Orioles have done well in some areas; meanwhile, they need to improve in others.

Going into 2010, the Orioles definitely have improved their rotation with the addition of Kevin Millwood as perhaps the team ace. As well, Jeremy Guthrie should be probably be able to build on a sad 2009 season hampered by a lack of preparation and the World Baseball Classic. Also, don't forget the youngsters Brian Matusz -- who finished 2009 strong -- Brad Bergesen, Chris Tillman, David Hernandez, as well as a collection of arms in the minors.

Still, I do think that the Orioles do need another veteran to bolster the rotation just in case of one young arms don't look to be ready. There are still a lot of low-risk, high reward guys out there for the taking. Do the Orioles necessarily need one now? Maybe not; however, I so think the more arms in an organization, the better.

The offense despite the addition of Garrett Atkins obviously needs some work. It's unknown whether Atkins will play first or third, but meost everyone knows that another bat is critically needed at the corner positions. The Orioles have slugger Josh Bell and touted youngster Brandon Snyder in the minors, but temporary reinforcements might be needed until one or both men are ready for the majors.

Also, when it comes to the offense, one has to look how well Matt Wieters can progress in his second full season (he really started crushing the ball in August and after) along with the progress of Nolan Reimold. One also has question if Adam Jones can take his game to another level and is the player who was an All-Star in the first half of the season, or a guy who barely hit around his weight in Aug-Sept.?

One also has to ponder if Nick Markakis will get the ample protection he needs in the lineup? Looking back, the trade of Aubrey Huff definitely left Markakis vulnerable and his numbers suffered greatly because of it. Nick 'The Stick' ended his 2009 season with strong numbers; however, fans hope he can regain some of his power stroke and exercise more patience at the plate.

The bullpen looks to be also improved with the addition of Mike Gonzalez -- who will probably close -- and Jim Johnson, who was excellent as a setup man, but struggled as a closer. Baltimore's bullpen may not be complete yet, but one can expect Mark Hendrickson to re-sign, and some of the younger arms plus mainstays to compete for a spot. Perhaps the Orioles can also again take a another look at the free agent market to improve the 'pen; however, I think Gonzalez might be the only big ticker signing when it comes that.

Hopefully, the team in Spring Training and throughout the 2010 season will work on cutting down their mistakes -- the baserunning, execution at the plate -- that angered many, especially fans.

As much as I'm waiting for 2010, it's still amazingly galling that the Yankees -- with their crazy payroll the GDP of a small country -- the Red Sox have been able to improve using their resources. Most of us know and see that Andy MacPhail is indeed working on rebuilding the organization for the long haul and not only in the next year or two, but it is still frustrating to know that the Orioles are on paper still a second division team.

The Orioles should probably finish better than the Jays in 2010, but if they can finish a solid third and somehow upend a good Rays' team, most would be happy with that.

Speaking of next season, it looks like Danys Baez has a new home. He has moved from the basement to the penthouse as he signed a two year deal with the Phillies. As we all know, the Phillies have won their division the past two seasons and are the 2008 World Champions. Baez looked solid coming off of injury last season, and while he got hit hard at times, he certainly looked to be back to form. I'm amazed he got a two-year deal, but if you can get the work, you take it.

Finally, it looks like the Orioles are looking in the past to improve their organization from the bottom up. Last week, the organization signed Mike Bordick to be a coach in the minor league system, and now they've added Mike Deveraux. He will serve as a field coach for the Shorebirds according to Roch on his blog.

On Wednesday, many fans within Birdland who had access to the Internet read in a report by FoxSports' Tracy Ringolsby that the Orioles are indeed interested in slugger Matt Holliday.

Although most feel that Holliday will just re-sign with the Cardinals, seeing his name in the same paragraph as the words "Baltimore Orioles" raised my eyebrows.

Now reading the news that the Orioles offered Holliday a hefty contract to play in Baltimore made me warm and tingly inside albeit with a dose of heavy skepticism.

Baltimore, meanwhile, did make an eight-year, $130 million offer to Holliday, and general manager Andy MacPhail did discuss the possibility of arranging a meeting between himself, Orioles owner Peter Angelos and Holliday in Austin, Tex., where Holliday is living in the offseason.

It didn't take long for the Orioles to refute the report (as James mentioned in a previous post). Team officials led by Andy MacPhail basically called today's news as more or less a falsehood (which was confirmed by Peter Schmuck and Roch).

That led me to think about Scott Boras.

Could Boras be once again playing the media and a selected team or two to drive up interest for his client -- Holliday -- and in turn drive up his price?

He's a master in this game, despite few a failures over the years. However, in the eyes of most people in the sport, it looks like the market for his client is fairly thin.

This evening, Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated/CNN reports the Cardinals offered Holliday a lucrative contract (but not as much as Baltimore's alleged amount).

I think Holliday still ends up in a Cardinal uniform, though the Evil Empire can jump in at any moment and swoop him. Plus, let's not forget about Boston -- the Evil Empire 1A.

The Orioles signed former shortstop Mike Bordick today to be a Minor League Offensive Coordinator.  His job?  To work with Orioles prospects on fundamental baserunning and contact situational hitting.  This move fits in nicely with the team's desire to refocus on the above-mentioned fundamentals after an atrocious 2009 in those aspects.

Bordick is listed as a minor league coordinator, but I don't think it is a stretch of logic and reality to think that he will be leading clinics and refresher courses for the big boys in Sarasota this February.  Bordick was always a class act and a more than solid player, known more for his defensive ability Bordick was a solid situational hitter and knew his role on the team.

This team was atrocious on the basepaths last year and manager Dave Trembley has been adamant that this will change in 2010.  The addition of Bordick is a great step in that direction.

Also, news broke today that the Orioles offered Matt Holliday an eight-year $130 million dollar contract - or did they?  As soon as the report from Fox Sports broke the internet went all a twitter.  And the story was then quickly crushed with dual postings from MASN's Roch Kubatko and the Baltimore Sun's Peter Schmuck both quoting Andy MacPhail saying of the had "NO validity".

Kids, the Orioles are not getting Matt Holliday, it is not happening.  I think he will price himself out of the market.  Now, stranger things have happened so let's play pretend.  What do the Orioles do if they get Holliday?  Well, Holliday automatically becomes the starting left-fielder so where does that leave Riemold?  Riemold would most logically move to DH - pushing Scott either out the door or to firstbase, or Riemold goes to first and Scott remains DH.  Either way, we do have room for Holliday and it would be a big bat in the heart of the lineup.

Holliday worries me a bit because outside of the NL, and Coors Field, his stellar high .900's OPS into a very good high .800's OPS.  Now, that is great having another Markakis (with more power) in the lineup is never a bad thing and the thought of an outfield of Holliday/ Jones/ Markakis makes me kind of giddy.  But I really can't see it happening, I just can't.  Maybe it is the years of broken dreams, maybe it is the cynicism of age setting in - maybe I just believe MacPhail when he says that the offer has no validity the point is I wouldn't get my hopes up if I were you O's fans but it is fun to dream.

It looks one of the premier free agents on the market, Jason Bay finally has a new home. It's not in Boston, but he wind up in New York -- however,he won't be a Yankee.

Jason Bay is now a Met.

The Mets offense was anemic in 2009 and they are hoping their big ticket item helps them this upcoming season.

From Sports Illustrated/CNN: The Mets have reached a deal to bring All-Star outfielder Jason Bay to New York pending a physical, SI.com confirmed.

The news was first reported by Mike Francesa of WFAN, who added that the announcement will come early next week.

The physical is expected to be extensive. It is believed the deal will be for about $66 million over four years plus a vesting option for a fifth year. Bay was looking for a six-year deal originally, and most recently a five-year, $80 million offer.

Now that Bay is off the market, I'd like to see who Matt Holliday ends up with.

I don't seriously expect him to become an Oriole, but stranger things have indeed happened.

I have really liked what the Orioles have done to improve the squad, getting some bonafied major leaguers to mix in with the young up-and-comers with the Orioles. It looks like the future is now promising in Baltimore, but more can be done. Anyhow, I don't see the team being done quite yet wheeling and dealing.

Considering what the Yankees and Red Sox have to done to fortify their teams, one would hope the Orioles could be more agressive. Therefore, many want a big bat and an impact player.

There's one guy who may be ready -- or not -- for the taking.

Some want the Orioles to go for the jugular and get Adrian Gonzalez (that would be amazing), but at what cost? He's relatively affordable and is still under contract for the next years; however, one must wonder what would the team have to give up for him? From most reports in the media, the situation in San Diego is in flux as the owner is mired in a divorce and is looking to cut costs where he can.

Then again, should San Diego trade their star player and risk pissing off their fan base? Also, who should the Orioles give up? A young arm or two, or three? A combo of Reimold, Pie?

Plus, one must think that Padres want a ton of prospects to replenish their minor league system, or even close to major league ready players.

As much as I want the Orioles to go out and get Gonzalez, it may not be a smart thing to do so while the organization rebuilds. If the Orioles had won 85 games in 2009, I'd say let's go for it; however, now is not the time to make a big trade when there's far more pressing issues to fix.

There simply is not a lot going on right now.  Nothing, nada, nil, the null-set - it is a slow news day.  It will be a slow news week as the calendar changes to a new year you have to wonder about the future - so let's take a look at some early predictions for 2010 not only for the Orioles but around the league:

with apologies to Conan O'Brein

In the year 2010...

The Orioles will have an above average offense without making any other completely significant moves before Spring Training.  Andy MacPhail has made his desire for a "Big Bat" well known, and the Orioles could use one.  But the problem is that the biggest bat on the market is Matt Holliday who has dubious numbers outside of Coors Field has already, reportedly, turned down some pricely long-term deals to stay in Colorado at the beginning of last season.  Moreover, the Orioles don't need another outfielder, unless you want to trade Pie, move Reimold to DH and trade Scott.  Now all of those things could be done, and done easily I'm sure but is that worth Holliday?

Markakis had a weird season.  Power vanished, but his average and doubles were fine.  His walks went away too.  Give Markakis a legit bat to hit in-front of and I believe you will see a nice rebound from him.  Jones needs to show he can put two good halves together and stay healthy and Wieters needs to hit like September 08 for most of the season.  Wieters is the big question mark here.  For once it is not just Orioles fans hyping up their own prospects he has been called the "switch-hitting Jesus" by national sportswriters he needs to let that out in April and never look back.

If those things happen the Orioles will have a solid, above average offense next year.

In the year 2010...

There will be no fewer than two-hundred jokes made about Minnesota's decision to play baseball in an open-air stadium in April.  The average high in Minneapolis in April is 57 degrees, the average low 36.  For comparison's sake Baltimore's averages are 68 and 48, respectively.  Goodbye "Homer-Dome" look for Minnesota to be playing as an extreme pitchers park for the first few months of the season until things warm up in the Land of a Thousand Lakes.

While we are on the subjdect of Target Field, it truly is a beautiful park though it looks like the offspring of Nationals Park, PNC Park and Citizens Bank Park.

In the year 2010...

Brian Matusz will rise up as the ace of the Baltimore Orioles staff.  I have high hopes for this guy, obviously, and I say this not underestimating the other fine young arms the Orioles will throw out there next year but I think Matusz is the best.  I think he has the best stuff and the most talent of them all and while all have room for improvement I feel Matusz will hit the ground running at the beginning of the year and not look back.  Look for him to have a sub 4.20 ERA.

In the year 2010...

Stephen Strasburg will struggle.  The Nationals need to be careful with this kid.  They need to let him mature in the minors a minute and should not, repeat NOT give into the fans demands and rush this kid.  If he is truly ready, he will be ready and that is one thing.  But rushing Strasburg doesn't do you or he any favors in fact you are setting him for nothing but struggles and early career heartbreak if you put him on the fast track.

Strasburg will probably be good enough to fly through the minors on his own but don't for a second expect him to be Nolan Ryan on day one.  Wieters proved to everyone that there is a learning curve in this league.  For every Evan Longoria there are two hundred Jeffery Hammonds and thousands of players that fell somewhere in between.  Strasburg may be the greatest thing since sliced bread but mishandling them could simply doom a franchise already on the precipice of complete irrelevance.

In the year 2010...

The Orioles will get off to a hot start and have a decent April.  With the Orioles sitting near the top of the division at the second week in May the fans will be divided into two factions: The ones who are wondering when the fall will occur and the other who actively running pools and taking bets on the precise start of the fall.

Of course, none of us want the fall to happen.  In fact that has been the one thing that Orioles fans continue to point to as the most frustrating thing over the last decade or so - the annual August swoon.  it seems to have become an tradition in Baltimore that the late summer is met with buying school supplies and extended losing streaks.  There are multiple reasons for this happening but they all come back to the Orioles not being able to compete day-in-day out with the beasts in their division and seeing as how August and September we always get a healthy dose of the Yankees and Red Sox we see extended periods of losing.

This year does have a chance to be different as I do feel that this Orioles squad is one of the most talented teams the Orioles will be fielding in recent history but will it be enough to compete with the New York International Baseball Corporation (NYIBC) and Boston?  Right now that does not look too likely.

In the year 2010...

The Orioles will make significant improvements in the win-loss column, fan attendance and the standings.  Despite all of that I think he Orioles will still take some pretty solid steps this year.  I don't think .500 is out of the question, then again it never is out of the question in December.  I think we will be better than the rapidly rebuilding Blue Jays and I think the Rays will take another half-step back to the pack.  Third place?  Maybe.  Right now the Orioles just need to concentrate on getting better - developing and setting loose the dogs, or in this case birds, of war.  Andy MacPhail has said that he wants to see real improvement this year and Dave Trembley has said he will not be as reluctant to drop the hammer on his team if he feels they are under-performing.  I am looking forward to seeing all of this implemented.  The Orioles have a lot of young, hungry players.  They want aren't grizzled vets collecting a paycheck and playing out the string, they want success, they want to win and they want to do it in Baltimore.

So let's get started - in the year 2010

Happy Holidays Birdland.

The snow is still blanketing the greater Baltimore Mtreo-plex and I have received the early girft of a nice long X-Mas vacation from Santa, or Father Christmas, or whomever you choose to think gives gifts at times like this.  Myself, I celebrate Christmas and the twiggy tree in my den right now has neatly and tastefully wrapped presents resting beneath it, but what is under the Orioles fan's tree this year?  Let's take a peek and see what is there.

The first box is a long heavy box propped against the wall, is it that Red Ryder BB Gun?  No, you'll shoot your eye out kid - why it's TWO BATS!  Homerun bats to be precise for Matt Wieters and Nick Markakis.  Starting in April they will need these bats because without them the Orioles will be in real trouble.  I know that O's fans out there had Alex Gonzalez sugarplums dancing in their heads but you can't get everything you wish for and A-Gon is just too expensive.  Besides, if Markakis and Wieters use these shiny new homerun bats (obviously felled by a strike of lightning) then they will gladly fill in for a lack of A-Gon and be the "big-bat" that Andy MacPhail wants so badly.

This next box feels like clothes - ugh.  Opening it you see a brand new Orioles Jersey!  The name on the back: "TOP OF THE ROTATION STARTER".  But who is it for?  Well, no one knows yet.  Maybe Kevin Millwood steps into that role, Guthrie is the elder statesman of the rotation and is capable of much more than last year's debacle.  Chris Tillman and Brian Matusz arguably have the best "stuff" and "potential" to fill that jersey though Brad Bergesen was the best pitcher last year before his injury.  With John Lackey and Rich Harden off the market there are no clear "TOR" starters out there through FA anymore so the four top candidates will have to settle it out over the course of the spring.  Don't let the fact that Millwood will probably get the ball on day one fool you Orioles fan - Tillman or Matusz will be wearing that Jersey by the end of July.

What else is there?  Hey look its a CLOSER!  But we peaked, we saw that already.  The box in the back is for Koji, its a gift certificate to Whole Foods and an organic holistic massage and healing center.  They are all the rage don't you know.  Yeah, Koji, bet you almost forgot about him didn't you?  Well he is still an Oriole but he is hurt.  Injuries hampered what could have been an exciting and successful first year with the Orioles.  Word has it he has started a throwing program in Japan and will be ready for Spring Training and his health is important to the team.  A healthy and conditioned Koji could be in the fight for the last rotation spot or even the closer spot.  He has said that he will do whatever the Orioles want him to and that is certainly the right attitude to take in his situation.

The Orioles want Koji to be happy and successful.  We want our first step into the Asian baseball world to be at least a moderate success so we can more easily establish our presence over there.  It would be a shame to see Koji fade away without ever really getting started.

Looking in the stocking there is a card - Addressed to all Oriole fans! From none other than Peter G Angelos himself.  Wow it has been awhile since we have heard from Peter.  Opening it up you see a nice Winter scene - Hallmark, how nice.  Written in the card is a note:

I really wanted to get you a winning team for Christmas, but unfortunately it hasn't come in yet.  No worries though, here is the "tracking number."

All the best holiday wishes,

Uncle Pete

I have had this happen more than a couple times in my life, as I am a technology native and many of my family could be called tech immigrants.  The question always is - when will it actually show.  I will find myself refreshing the USPS or FedEx site multiple times a day to track my most desired package from afar.  It becomes almost addictive.

So, when will Uncle Pete's present get here?  Tough to say.  If everything goes well and we get projected production out of key people I think the Orioles do have a more than legitimate shot at a +.500 season.  And that would go such a long way for the psyche of this fanbase.  All we can do is keep hitting refresh until we see it happen.

Happy Holidays O's fans.

I was working on an Orioles all-decade team as I wanted to follow up what James started with his top ten Oriole moments of the decade; however, I was beat to the punch by Shotgun Spratling from the Blue Workhorse, who put together an immaculate list of talent on their blog.

• Catcher, Javy Lopez
• First Base, Jeff Conine
• Second Base, Brian Roberts
• Shortstop, Miguel Tejada
• Third Base: Melvin Mora
• Left Field: Luke Scott
• Center Field: Corey Patterson
• Right Field: Nick Markakis
• Designated Hitter: Aubrey Huff
• Left-Handed Starter: Erik Bedard
• Right-Handed Starter: Mike Mussina
• Reliever: B.J. Ryan
• Closer: Chris Ray

I like their list as written (and it's very solid); however, I do have some changes and recommendations.

I'd go ahead and insert Adam Jones onto the team in place of Patterson by virtue of his Gold Glove and All-Star nod in '09. Patterson, with all his athletic gifts, never lived up to his potential and trying to be a power hitter killed his career. I think if he had cut down his swing and bunted more, he would have been an everyday .280-.300 hitter easily with his speed.

I'd also go ahead and place Sherrill onto the team as the closer instead of Ray by virtue of his All-Star nod in '08. In the end, Sherrill'snumbers weren't that great due to shoulder issues after the All-Star Game that year, but I am also throwing in his remarkable numbers in '09 to merit inclusion on the list.

The list might want to include Rodrigo Lopez as the right handed starter rather than Mussina. Mussina left the Orioles after 2000 (he had an 11-15 record that year), and Lopez had three solid winning seasons in a Baltimore uniform before losing 18 games in 2006 and being sent on his way out of the organization.

In addition, I would make a place for Jay Gibbons -- perhaps he replaces fan favorite Luke Scott in left -- despite the feelings of his steroid use in Birdland. Gibbons did have a few productive years, looked like a potential cornerstone of the franchise and was a nice guy off the field.