Interesting take by the author re: steroid users, and (mostly) heartwarming comments by Texas Raffy fans. Raffy's facebook status: Don't call me - I'll call you.

They posted the Carolina league top 20, and Wieters/Arrieta rank #1/#2.

There's a chat at 2:30 that's sure to have some O's-themed questions.

Bad news for Seattle on the Bedard front.

He's having surgery at the end of the month to repair a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder. As O's fans know all-to-well, this is one of the worst injuries a pitcher can suffer, and it could end his career.

At best, Bedard could be ready to return to the majors in the second half of the 2009 season. 2009 is Bedard's last year of arbitration eligibility, and he's virtually guaranteed to make $7MM to $10MM if the Mariners tender him a contract.

Their other option is to cut ties with Bedard completely, and make him a free agent.

So, if Bedard does become a free agent, should the O's sign him to an incentive-laden contract for 2009, with an option for 2010? Say, $2MM for 2009 (with the potential for $8MM if he pitches well), and a $10MM option for 2010?

Hey guys, I just did an interview with John O'Donoghue, who pitched for the O's in 1993 and is the son of the other John O'Donoghue, who pitched for the 1968 O's and the immortal 1969 Seattle Pilots. John's a funny guy and he really put some thought into his responses. No one-word answers. Check it out at my website!

Hey birdwatchers, I'm on the other coast with an eye on Aubrey Huff for a Giants/Orioles winter deal. Obviously he can hit, but how bad is his D at third base? Reaction time? His arm? How slow on the base paths?

Your thoughts?

Nothing serious, he just has the flu, but I might take my chances with a sick Guthrie on the mound over a healthy Liz.

looks like the o's have acquired one of those low k rate youngsters that seem to grow on trees in minnesota and cleveland. 150 of his 181 minor league games have been starts. he's 26.

Patton revealed to Roch that his arm strength is back to where it was before the labrum injury and is confident that he will be ready for ST. Really good news.

21 - Orioles - "2-11 in their past 13 ... Remind me again why the Orioles felt it was so important to hang onto Kevin Millar and Aubrey Huff at the trading deadline ... Journeyman pitchers who react to being yanked from the game by flipping the ball to the manager and storming off, as Fernando Cabrera did last week, deserve a stern punch to the throat and a job behind the counter at Arby's."