--1B Mark Teixeira drew interest from the Orioles, but it was believed that Baltimore's offer wasn't as rich as some of the others the switch-hitting slugger has received. Both the Orioles and Nationals were in on the bidding for the Maryland native, as were the Red Sox and Angels.
--C Guillermo Quiroz accepted his assignment to Class AAA Norfolk. Quiroz, who was taken off the 40-man roster Dec. 9, is expected to compete for a backup spot in spring training after spending all of 2008 in Baltimore. --OF/INF Ryan Freel has one of the Orioles' bench spots locked up. With the ability to play all three outfield positions, as well as second base and third base, Freel will fill one of two utility positions on Dave Trembley's bench. With 142 stolen bases in 443 career games, he should be the first option when the team needs a pinch runner.
--RHP Jon Leicester has signed to play with the Orix Buffaloes in Japan. The right-hander appeared in 10 games -- including five starts -- with the Orioles in 2007, going 2-3 with a 7.59 ERA. He went 3-8 with a 5.26 ERA in 39 games at Class AAA Norfolk in 2008.
--3B Billy Rowell will have to have a solid season in 2009 to remain among the club's top prospects. Rowell, 20, was the club's first-round pick in 2006. He should get a challenge from Brandon Waring, whom the Orioles acquired from Cincinnati in the Ramon Hernandez trade.
BY THE NUMBERS: 28 -- Errors committed by six Orioles shortstops in 2008. Recently signed Cesar Izturis committed just 11 errors with St. Louis last season.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We have indicated before that we have flexibility. I don't think anyone expects (agent Scott Boras) to lean over and accept the first proposal." -- Orioles president Andy MacPhail, to The Sun, on the team's offer to free agent 1B Mark Teixeira.
