Quick Hits: O's Stuff and MLB Stuffage...

Sorry for the lack of posts today. I have had to deal with some distressing news in my life, as one of my close friends has been diagnosed with cervical cancer. I just needed to attend to real life stuff this afternoon, but I’m back. Depending on what happens, my postings may be sporadic from here on out, but I’ll try the best I can.

Camps are opening up, and even though I and many of us are suffering through winter, the big leaguers are down in Florida and Arizona getting ready for the ’07 Season. The O’s open camp Thursday and a good portion of teams have been in camp since the beginning of the week.

I’ll have a preview of the Reds tonight, or perhaps Thursday and the Houston Astros thereafter.

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The Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec writes a series of article that chronicles a summary of the offseason, with deals made, questions going into the season, and a roster analysis.

The Baltimore Examiner looks at Daniel Cabrera and if he’s ready for the upcoming season along with a Spring Training Preview article of the American League.

The pitchers and catchers have reported to O’s camp, and orioles.com Spencer Fordin lets us know what’s going on.

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Ron Villone: Ron Villone has agreed to a minor-league deal with the Yankees. He stands to make $2.5 million if he makes the club, which is likely, and an additional $300,000 in incentives based on games pitched.

Goeff Geary: Right-handed pitcher Geoff Geary agreed to a one-year contract worth $837,500 with the Phillies on Tuesday, thus avoiding arbitration.

More Drama in Yankee-Land: This is what CNNsi.com’s Truth and Rumors has in their section about the Yankees.

Mariano Rivera a Red Sox? It could happen. Sitting in his car outside Legends Field yesterday, Rivera was asked by The Post if he could be Boston's closer next year. You never know," said Rivera, who is determined to become a free agent.
-- New York Post

If George Steinbrenner, who has stepped back but will make the call on Joe Torre's pinstriped future, doesn't bring him back, the Boss runs the risk of Torre landing in the Red Sox's dugout.
-- New York Post

Yankees GM Brian Cashman has nothing but respect for Mariano Rivera, but that doesn't mean he's planning to give the future Hall of Famer a contract extension before the end of the season.
-- New York Daily News

It’s interesting what’s going on in NYC and I don’t know the picture of dysfunction and disappointment is being painted by the media, or if it’s true, but if the Yankees don’t change the outward appearance, the Red Sox will use it to their advantage in the Hundred Years’ Plus War. It looks like Cashman is doing things his way now, and it may not be all that good with some of the Yankee brass.

Dmitri Young and Tony Batista Back in the Majors? Well, the Nationals have reached and once again have gone into the bargain bin, this time getting two more veterans looking for a second chance. According to the Washington Post’s Dave Shenin, the team has signed veterans Tony Batista and Dmitri Young to minor league deals. If both men make the Nats’s squad, they will possibly make for a much deeper bench than envisioned initially for the team.