So far, everything is going good in Florida. The sun is shining down there, it's warm, players are proclaiming themselves to be in "the best shape of their lives", plus a few players says they are going to step up and take a more active role in the team.

In about six weeks, the Orioles will open up the 2010 season against the Rays and most of us fans are hoping for a respite from the losing. For a change, this team looks promising -- not to say they are going to contend for a pennant, but upward.

This morning in the Baltimore Sun, Peter Schmuck has an article about Millwood. After reading it in full, I ended up being nothing but impressed on what I saw on my laptop screen.

So far, it looks like Kevin Millwood is taking the leader role in camp amongst the hurlers and will use his experience to help out.

Millwood already seems to have bought into the whole mentorship mentality.

"I think it's going to be a lot of fun, seeing these guys learn and mature a little bit," Millwood, 35, said. "I think it's going to be exciting. There's nothing better than giving a guy a scouting report and seeing him take it to the field and see it work."

It's not a new concept for him. He played the veteran leader in the Texas rotation the past few years, and several young starters stepped up last season to help the Rangers win 87 games.

-- snip --

"I'm not going to change what I've done in the past,'' Millwood said. "I'm not a vocal guy, but if something needs to be said, I'll try to help guys out if I can."

That's just fine. It's not about discipline. It's about being an important part of the environment for the younger guys. It's about sitting in the dugout with one of them and analyzing a situation on the field, or noticing something and mentioning it in a more casual situation.

"I might bring something up in a conversation, or maybe ask the pitching coach about it to get his view,'' Millwood said. "When it comes down to it, we're here to win and help each other out, but I'm not going to step on toes."

Trembley isn't asking Millwood to be an enforcer. He just wants him to show the way and -- so far -- he's doing just that.

"He's the first guy for stretching," Trembley said. "He's the first going from field to field. That's what the No. 1 does."

Even though my impression of him at Fan Fest was that he was a quiet guy and very laid back, in Sarasota according to the scribes is leading by example and not necessarily being a rah-rah guy. Not to say that Millwood is meek, but I think if one of the youngsters in the rotation gets hammered or is having a bad day, I can see him stepping up and speaking his mind.

I don't know how he'll do on the mound this year, but he's a proven winner in the majors and see him in sort of a role that Rick Sutfcliffe played years ago in Baltimore. He may be here only for a season, but no matter what happens with the Orioles this season, I can see him leaving a mark on the young arms throughout their careers.

Adam Jones, the hallmark of one of the best trades in a decade, is quickly becoming a force in the Orioles lineup and the Orioles clubhouse. The young CF seems to be actively trying to take on more of a leadership role within the organization. Jones is not a shy man, nor a secretive one. He as embraced twitter and his account is always a source of interesting comments on his day-to-day life.

Yesterday, Jones reported early to Spring Training which caught the eye of the local media. Roch Kubatko noticed that he stayed and made sure to sign autographs for everyone and anyone that wanted one. Peter Schmuck also chimed in on Jones' desired role:

"He wants to assume a lot more leadership, period."

Most people would agree that the Orioles need some sort of "team leader" but just what makes someone a "leader" is open to a lot of debate. Fans and bloggers alike throw terms around all the time: good clubhouse guy, on-the-field leader, field-general, face of the organization but when pressed to define such terms therein lies a problem.

No one argues the fact that Derek Jeter is the leader of the Yankees. He has that special combination of accoldades, talent, charisma and longevity that makes him not only an obvious leader but an era-defining star. But then you have a guy like Cal ripken Jr. Someone who every wanted to be a "leader" and he took the lead on many occaisions. He certainly was, and in most regards still is, the face of the Orioles but he was never the vocal stand-out team leader that people wanted. Cal led by example, he did his job well never really piped up and worked as hard as he could.

Since Ripken retired the Orioles have been searching to replace him. Not necessarily on the physical field but in the psychological one. When Ripken left he left a void that Orioles fans have been searching for. "Who will be the next Ripken" we all wonder. We wanted it to be Roberts, Tejada, Mora, Markakis, Surhoff. We have looked to so many different people to be a leader. But again - what is a leader?

A leader is really a sort of tough position. Someone who stands up and holds teammates accountable on and off the field on a successful team is a leader. But when someone does that on a losing team they are a "poor clubhouse influence". Moreover, how can a player going into his third year in the league who has yet to put together a complete season just simply assert himself as "the Man" in the Baltimore clubhouse?

When the Orioles traded for Frank Robinson in the Winter of 1965 everyone knew what they were getting. The Orioles knew they were getting someone who would come in and instantly take charge of the locker room and had the proven credentials to back it up. Baltimore already had Brooks and Boog not to mention Palmer and Blair; why weren't any of them the "leader" that Frank was? No one will ever really know why or how clubhouse leaders become what they become. To me it is more serendipity than anything else:

I only mention it because sometimes there's a man... I won't say a hero, 'cause, what's a hero? Sometimes, there's a man...Sometimes, there's a man, well, he's the man for his time and place.

There is no other way to put it. If Derek Jeter has the right combination and is the man for his time and place, hopefully another historic trade has brought a man to this team. A man for this time and place. Jones worked out in Arizona all winter, he knows he needs to put together a full season. He knows he needs to do a lot better than he did last year. he knows that All-Star games and Gold-Gloves only mean so much without more wins and playoff contention.Jones knows he can't just walk in and assume the role like Jeter, Ripken and Robinson before him he needs to perform on the field first and show everyone, including the fans and himself that he belongs here and is deserving of every bit of praise.

I think these are serendipitous times for the Orioles. This could be our time, this could be our place - and Jones abides.

This week, MASN announced their 2010 Spring Training schedule for their televised games.

Well, I do wish that the network would air more games or at least show some video coverage of the happenings going on at Spring Training. I mean, I think airing video is far more effective than reading news via blogs, news articles, or listening on the radio.

I mean, if you look at the job NESN and YES does with their Spring Training coverage, it's amazing compared to what you see in the mid-Atlantic region.

Then again, I guess seeing four live games are better than nothing.

Schedule:

* Sunday, March 7th at 1pm - Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles.

* Thursday March 25th at 1pm - New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles

* Monday March 29th at 7pm - New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles

* Wednesday, March 31st at 1pm - Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles

• Peter Schmuck has a great piece on Adam Jones in today's Baltimore Sun. Reading this I have to remind myself that Jones is still a young guy at 24, but everyone pretty much thinks of him as a veteran. At this point, let's hope he takes his game to another level this season. There's also video on the site with Dave Trembley taking about Jones' role on the team.
• Good to see O's 1st round draft pick Matt Hobgood report to camp early, in better shape and ready to go in his first Spring Training (he's in minor league camp). Also, Roch notes that Chris Tillman is learning a new pitch, Felix Pie and Adam Jones are impressing in camp; plus, Nick Markakis reported to camp -- with kid and beard -- early.
  
• Speaking of pitchers, Kevin Milwood -- for obvious reasons -- will serve as a mentor to the young arms on the staff and Koji Uehara will definitely pitch out of the bullpen in 2010. Mike Gonzalez was officially named the Orioles closer and he likes the managing style of Dave Trembley.
  
• Meanwhile, Brian Roberts is on the mend after some back issues. The second baseman says that he's excited and will be ready for camp.
  
• Fans and team executives are pumped for Orioles' Spring Training in Sarasota. I've only been hearing great things about the facility down there, and when the area gets refurbished, it will only better. Speaking of the stadium -- yesterday, there was a special hearing of the Sarasota County Commissioners open to the public concerning the agreement that the local government made to convince the Orioles to come to their area. This will be solved in due time - the Orioles will stay, Sarasota will like the infusion of money into their area and everyone will live happily ever after.
  
• This week, Brian Cashman gave the Orioles credit for the moves they have made in the last few years. He thinks that they are a "sleeping giant".
• Finally, the Orioles.com has a new beat reporter...

It looks like baseball is finally upon us! This week, most - if not all - teams start Spring Training with pitchers and catchers reporting to camp. Even though the games are meaningless and most of the stars only play for a few innings at most, there's nothing like the ambiance of Florida in March.

For the most part, aside from the additions of Garrett Atkins, Mike Gonzalez, Miguel Tejada, and Kevin Millwood, the Orioles look pretty much the same as they did last year when they lost 98 games.

However, let's hope another year of experience can avoid another bad season. For the money the team spent this season, plus if you add the contracts of Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis, the Orioles should finish better than they have in the past. Sadly, though, this is a team still in the rebuilding process and the success they have this season will depend on the development of the youngsters.

For the Orioles, everything kicks off on Wednesday and the first workouts are on Thursday. Who knows what we'll learn for next month-and-a-half about the team. We'll learn if Tejada can play third base, or if Atkins can rediscover his swing and if the young arms can build upon on 2009 season that featured many peaks and valleys. Can Millwood hold the fort at the top of the rotation, or can Jeremy Guthrie show the promise he did in 2007? Can Koji come out of the bullpen and deliver? What happens to Trembley if the season starts badly? Will Wieters build on his potential, step it up and become one of the keys for the franchise? Can Adam Jones play at a consistent level throughout the season?

Of course this is all conjecture until the season begins. Until then, this time of the year is fun to sort out all the possibilities, promises, and enter into the new season on a positive note.

As James noted in a earlier post, pitcher Brad Bergesen "tweaked his shoulder", while filming a commercial in December. That's not good. According to the Baltimore Sun, Bergesen will not be able to take part in Spring Training activities for at least ten days. Apparently, he went all out in the spot (I guess for realism), and hurt himself.

It looks like he's taking part in a throwing program; however, the injury will set him back a little when everything starts down in Florida. Roch was able to get a few more words from Brad yesterday about the situation.

Let's just hope the minor injury that Bergesen got during his commercial shoot/taping doesn't turn out to be anything more, such as an injury to his labrum, etc.

Drew Forrester of WNST raises some very salient points when it comes to the Bergesen injury.

***

The Orioles and Jeremy Guthrie came to terms on a contract for 2010 and avoided arbitration. Both sides agreed to a one year, three million dollar deal. Roch has some more words from Guthrie.

I thought the figure was fair, considering what Guthrie did in 2007 and 2008. He's been a good representative for the organization and avoiding a hearing was definitely good for all sides involved.

***

A little late on this mention, but let's say our prayers for the family of  Orioles traveling secretary Phil Itzoe who passed away this week. While snowed in this week, I heard a little of what was said about Mr. Itzoe plus all he did for the organization behind the scenes as a traveling secretary (for 42 years) and he was certainly beloved by all.

Brad Bergesen mildly injured his shoulder while filming his commercial for the Orioles.

Yes, the Orioles are just that lucky.

Good news is that the injury does not appear to be serious and he is on pace to be on the regular team schedule by the beginning of March. Even with that rosy news it has not stopped the Baltimore area to unleash a collective "Here we go again" when it comes to young pitchers and the Orioles. Of course this happens to the Orioles, and onl the Orioles - well not so fast.

To make us all feel a little better, MarkCarver over at the Hangout uncovered a great list of off-the-field injuries. Lists like this are all over the net, Mark found a great one.

· Catcher: Mickey Tettleton (Detroit Tigers) – Went on the DL with athlete’s foot…caused by tying his shoes too tight.

· First Base: George Brett (Kansas City Royals) – Broke his toe on a chair at home while running for the kitchen to the TV to watch Bill Buckner hit.

· Second Base: Jeff Kent (San Francisco Giants) – Claimed he hurt his wrist while washing his truck. Rumor has it that he was injured doing motorcycle stunts instead.

· Shortstop: Clint Barmes (Colorado Rockies) – Barmes had a strong Rookie of the Year campaign until he broke his collarbone…carrying deer meat.

· Third Base: Wade Boggs (Boston Red Sox) – Hurt himself…while putting on his cowboy boots.

· Outfield: Vince Colman (St. Louis Cardinals) – Missed the entire 1985 World Series…after being run over by Busch Stadium’s tarp machine.

· Outfield: Ken Griffey, Jr. (Seattle Mariners) – No stranger to injury, Griffey once missed a game after suffering a pinched testicle from his protective cup.

· Outfield: Rickey Henderson (Toronto Blue Jays) – Missed several games because of frostbite…in August…caused by falling asleep on an ice pack.

· Designated Hitter: Glen Allen Hill (Toronto Blue Jays) – One of the most painful, Hill went on the DL after suffering cuts caused by crashing through a glass table while dreaming that he was being attacked by spiders.

· Bench: Oddibe McDowell (Texas Rangers) – Sliced open his hand at a Texas welcome home luncheon while buttering a roll.

· Bench: Kevin Mitchell (New York Mets) – Taken out by a microwaved donut. I have no idea how this happened.

· Bench: Terry Harper (Atlanta Braves) – Separated his shoulder while waving a teammate home and subsequently high fiving him.

· Bench: Sammy Sosa (Chicago Cubs) – Missed a game after throwing out his back…while sneezing.

· Bench: Jose Cardenal (Chicago Cubs) – Missed a game in 1974 because he couldn’t blink.

· John Smoltz (Atlanta Braves) – Once burned his chest while ironing a shirt…while he was still wearing it.

· Nolan Ryan (Houston Astros) – Missed a start after being bitten on his hand…by a coyote.

· Jake Peavy (San Diego Padres) – Fractured a rib after he jumped into a celebratory pile after the Padres clinched the division.

· Carlos Perez (Montreal Expos) – Broke his nose in a car accident…while trying to pass the team bus.

· Adam Eaton (San Diego Padres) – Stabbed himself in the stomach while tearing off the wrapper on a DVD.

· Swingman: Dwight Gooden (New York Mets) – Missed a start when Vince Coleman accidentally took him out with a golf club in the clubhouse.

· Middle reliever: Steve Sparks (Milwaukee Brewers) – Dislocated his shoulder…while attempting to tear a phone book in half.

· Middle Reliever: Mark Smith (Baltimore Orioles) – Injured his hand…while sticking it into an air conditioner to see why it wasn't working.

· Middle reliever: Charlie Hough (Texas Rangers) – Once broking his pinky…while pinking shaking.

· Middle reliever: Ricky Bones (Florida Marlins) – Missed time in 2000 after injuring himself…while changing channels on the clubhouse TV.

· Setup Man: Greg Harris (Texas Rangers) - suffered a strained elbow flipping sunflower seeds while sitting in the bullpen

· Closer: Jason Isringhausen (Oakland Athletics) – Broke his hand while punching a trashcan, just weeks after stabbing himself in the leg trying to open a package.

· Manager: Roger Craig (San Francisco Giants) - Cut his hand… while undoing a bra strap. Awesome.

There's been a lot of talk recently of pitcher Jarrod Washburn being pursued by the Orioles.

Well, the Oriole Post, plus several other team related blogs were asked to take part in a forum as part of the Hot Stove website and the question-of-the-week posed centered around Washburn perhaps joining the team. The piece should be up on their website sometime Thursday evening.

I can't imagine the Orioles would go after Jarrod Washburn at this point unless he was available for so cheap that it would counter-productive to say no. Right now, I think the the organization will more than likely go with Kevin Millwood, Jeremy Guthrie, Brad Bergesen and Brian Matusz as part of the starting rotation. I'm going to assume that Chris Tillman will be slotted as the fifth starter unless he just blows it in Spring Training.

Back to Washburn: He's had a decent career with some ups and downs. However, based on his numbers in Seattle versus what Jarrod did in Detroit last season, what would a team be getting from him?

I would have to think that Washburn would want at this point to pitch anywhere but the American League East.

I don't think his pitching style -- he's a flyball pitcher -- would face well against some of the lineups he would have to face if he decided to pitch in Baltimore. Frankly, he's a better fit in a larger home park than let's say, Camden Yards. According to the various media reports I've read, Washburn hopes to re-establish his value by signing a one-year deal, and the Orioles are probably not the team to accomplish that with.

Furthermore, does he want to join an organization in the midst of a rebuilding project, or pitch for a contender.

I do think the Orioles might need another veteran arm to shore up their rotation, but Washburn is probably not the man.

This winter, the Mid-Atlantic region has resembled Minnesota. Snow, as much as you're adored, you need to go away and move on so we can start with Spring. Of course, in six months, we'll be complaining on how hot it is outside...

Thank goodness pitchers and catchers start reporting in the next week or two and we can get endless reports about what's going down in Sarasota. Now that the Super Bowl is over, let's bring on March Madness and baseball.

I'm ready to see how things shake out, although for the most part the vast majority of the roster spots have been set (well, except maybe a bullpen spot or two, and the bench). I'm assuming Chris Tillman will be the fifth starter unless he's just plain horrible in Florida. Again, I think the Orioles will go as far as the youngsters -- especially Jones, Wieters and Matusz -- will take them.

***

* The Orioles signed reliever Will Ohman to a minor league deal and with an invitation to Spring Training. If he makes the club - great; if not, then nothing really gained or lost. I would fathom if he made the team that he would be a situational lefty. Also, Mark Hendrickson officially signed with the Orioles this week.

* Both Cal Ripken and Brooks Robinson fully endorse Miguel Tejada moving to third. The two legends believe that Tejada should able to succeed at third.

* Will Ty Wigginton be traded? At this point, I don't see where he'll get the at-bats to play in the field with Miguel Tejada at third and Garrett Atkins at first.

* Fox Sports reports that the Orioles have had some feelers out for free agent pitchers Jarrod Washburn and Chien-Ming Wang. Both Roch and Peter Schmuck think the rumors are very much overblown.

* Steve Melewski ponders about the Orioles recent scouting trip to to South America and Matt Wieters and how he will fare this season...

* It looks like Amber Theoharis will not be going to back to radio, but staying on MASN.

For the love of God, let Spring be around the corner. Having survived Snowpocalypse II it appears that Baltimore is in store for Snowpocalypse III: The Quickening Tuesday into Wednesday. Seriously, another 12 inches of snow with local amounts approaching 20?! The Hell nature? Seriously.

Baltimore City officials have stated that they may not "...get to some [sidestreets] for many days..." one of those streets is most certainly my street with four foot snow drifts blocking all cars. The city has actually asked that people start digging out themselves, as some Baltimore neighborhoods have very tiny streets that no plow can get through. Now more snow?

Only ten days until spring training. God I can't wait for Spring at this point. The Super Bowl is over, congrats to the Saints by the way you made me look smart; I should have taken all those bets, so now it is time to think baseball again.

My potential opening day lineup and rotation:

There really shouldn't be anything very shocking in there. And of course this is not much more than the ravings of a lunatic suffering from the beginnings of cabin fever but I think that this is the likely lineup for the start of the season. I could see Tejada in the two-spot and Jones batting sixth but that top three worked very well together for most of the year so why mess with what was working? Reimold gets to start in the clean-up spot with Wieters backing him up. Frankly this is six of one - half'a'dozen of the other. Reimold is a right handed-bat to bat behind Markakis and the switch-hitting Wieters should disrupt the weirdly huge amount of left-handed pitchers that Markakis had to face in 2009. The high average Tejada batting behind Scott may help him get better pitches to hit and keep him from season dumping slumps that plagued him in 2009. Izzy is where he needs to be and Atkins is the hole, until he proves otherwise.

What say you internet?