The Orioles and Buck Showalter Near a Contract Extension...

As we all know, the Orioles had a wildly successful 2012, and there has been a continuous discussion as to if - or when - manager Buck Showalter would be signed to a contract extension.

Fans have been wondering if he would be in the organization long term, and now we may have an answer.

According to MASN's Roch Kubatko and CBS Sports' Paul Heyman, the Orioles and Showalter have laid the framework in place for an extension.

The duration will be three years, based on reports.

In my honest opinion, it was a foregone conclusion that the two sides were going to get something done.

If you're reading this blog, you know the impact that Showalter has had on the franchise. He's changed the culture with the Orioles from top to bottom and it's been pretty much observed by fans, the media and insiders in the sport.

Many people argue that a manager makes little discernible difference with a team. That is not the case with Showalter, as he has been able to excel at field management, the bullpen, getting the most out of his players, player evaluation and the facilities down in Sarasota.

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