If you think the Orioles have it bad -- can you imagine what's going on in Detroit? The Lions became the first ever 0-16 history as they lost to the Green Bay Packers, 31-21. They fought, but in the end, they could not salvage a win.

Sports is a very important fabric of a community, and to see the Lion this bad -- especially considering what is going on with the Big Three auto companies, what's happened on the political scene up there, and the conditions of the city in general -- is nothing short of depressing.

I hope things get better in the Motor City sooner rather than later.

I was about to head to sleep, but Ian from Sox and Dawgs sent me an email via a report from Roch Kubatko on MASNSports.com that the Orioles have come close to an agreement with hurler Mark Hendrickson.

Here's a bit more from the Orioles.com Spencer Fordin about the pitcher.

With the Baltimore Orioles seemingly in need a catcher -- a starter, backup, or otherwise -- while phenom Matt Wieters may start the year in Triple-A to get some seasoning, there have been talks of former Oriole Gregg Zaun taking the role.

However, there has been another name of late who has joined the fray -- Ivan "Pugde" Rodroguez.

Baltimore Sun blogger and columnist Peter Schmuck brought up this topic in a recent blog post, as he says: no comments

Reading the information super-highway the other day, I caught that Sammy Sosa -- a member of the 600 home run club -- was looking for a return to the Major Leagues.

The slugger who excited the world of baseball with his home run hitting ability, unabashed love for the game, and his infectious smile brought joy not only to Cubs fans in the 1990's, but to the world of baseball.

Furthermore, many credit him and Mark McGwire for rekindling the interest of the sport to fans and admirers alike; however, all the goodwill he had built up went pretty much down the toilet after his appearance on Capitol Hill years ago.

It's the day after Christmas, and not much is going on with the Orioles; however, it looks like the Orioles are going after pitching -- probably closer to the stop-gap/mid-level variety.

According to Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles are after Japanese hurler Kenshin Kawakami -- who is also being targeted by the Red Sox, Braves, Dodgers, Twins, Giants and Brewers.

At this point, with the reality of Mark Teixeira not being signed by Baltimore, the question that many have asked is what will happen to Brian Roberts?

As most of us know, the Baltimore Orioles are in the rebuilding stage and have has eleven straight losing seasons. Moreover, the team plays in the AL East, and with the Rays as defending division champs, and with the powerhouse Red Sox, along with the retooled Yankees, one must think the organization has the task of climbing Mount Everest.

Andy MacPhail -- despite the misgivings of a few fans -- I think has done a solid job in rebuilding the team. There's probably going to have a painful decision to be made with Roberts, and I think he will be traded before his contract is up.

Ian of Sox and Dawgs and I taped our weekly show this afternoon that aired on the Fantasy Sports Channel at Blog Talk Radio.

We talked about the Mark Teixeira signing and it's impact on the game as well as gave our thoughts.

Lenny Melnick of Melnick and Greco Fantasy Sports stopped by at the end of the show as well. You can check it out by following the link provided at the end here. [The Hits Keep Coming - 12.24]

After having a day to digest the news of Mark Teixeira signing with the Evil Empire, and I'll say I can't blame him for signing with New York, nor the Yankees for signing him. You can't blame Andy MacPhail or Peter Angelos -- despite the history and how many feel about him -- due to simply the Orioles not having a chance at all.

The slugger, the more I hear in the press had zero interest in playing for Baltimore, and the news that came out insinuating he did may have just been planted by Scott Boras to drive up interest in his client.

Here's Andy MacPhail's reaction to the Teixeira signing, and after reading it, I don't necessarily blame him. It's tough to see the news from today, but let's move on, get some pitching and head into spring training with at least some improvement to the roster.

It looks like the Yankees have swooped in and got Teixeira.

From Boston.com: Sports Illustrated.com and ESPN's Peter Gammons are both reporting that the New York Yankees are on the verge of signing first baseman Mark Teixeira to an eight-year, $180 million contract.

It looks like New York -- as some thought -- may have swept him away with a last minute surprise (or they just kept things hush-hush). The deal is contingent on the slugger passing a physical, and it looks like Boras might have pulled out an old card -- going to the Yankees for a last minute deal (can anyone say Johnny Damon?).

Obviously spending a ton of money doesn't necessarily mean a World Series or the playoffs; however, one must think the Yankees are indeed the favorites now to take the AL East title.

I guess a year where New York finished in third place, plus a new ballpark have turned them to revert to opening up the checkbook and spending freely.

For a team asking for more money to subsidize their ballpark, they sure can dish it out. My lord, let's hope they don't ask for a bailout -- sheesh. It's time for a salary cap of some sort and may he never win a World Series.

They have given out $400 plus million worth of contracts to three players, and you wonder why teams like Minnesota, Oakland, Kansas City and the Indians have continuous turnover of players.

I'm curious to see how Oriole fans will react to the news, and I'll be turning on the radio to hear the carnage.