--LHP Garrett Olson was requested in trade talks for Padres SS Khalil Greene, according to The Sun, but the Orioles refused to part with the 25-year-old starter. Olson struggled mightily in 2008, his first full year in the majors, but should contend for a starting role in spring training.
--C Matt Wieters was hitting .301 through 20 games in the Arizona Fall League. The team's 2007 first-round pick had one home run and 12 RBIs for the Sunrise Rafters. He is expected to contend for the starting job in spring training. --C Jose Reyes was signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. Reyes, who appeared in four games with the Cubs in 2006, will provide insurance at what is a thin position in the organization outside of top prospect Matt Wieters.
--OF Nolan Reimold was added to the 40-man roster after a breakout season at Class AA Bowie. The right-handed-hitting outfielder could have an outside shot at the fourth outfielder position in spring training, but he is more likely to open 2009 at Class AAA Norfolk.
--INF Donnie Murphy was signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. It's expected the former Oakland utility man will compete for a super-sub role with the Orioles, similar to the one Freddie Bynum held in recent seasons.
BY THE NUMBERS: 5 -- Years free agent RHP A.J. Burnett was reportedly seeking on the open market. Under owner Peter Angelos, the Orioles have been notoriously reluctant to sign pitchers to contracts longer than three seasons.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think there are some unique opportunities here that require our exploration, and we owe that to our fans and to ourselves. If we are unsuccessful, we'll still look in the market. But we're not expecting it to be a panacea for us. We need to continue what we started last year." -- Orioles president Andy MacPhail, to The Sun, on the team's pursuit of free agents with local ties: 1B Mark Teixeira (Baltimore native) and RHP A.J. Burnett (Baltimore County resident).
