Orioles News, Notes, and Links

• Dan Connolly at the Baltimore Sun suggests that the O's might want to take a look at Philly RHP Joe Blanton, since he supposedly fits what they're looking for: veteran starter with a proven track-record, innings-eater, dependable, etc... 
• Connolly also spoke to 3B Josh Bell this week, about the Reynolds trade, his future, and his off-season conditioning:

"I got a taste of [the majors] last year and my hitting wasn’t where I wanted to be, but I felt good defensively, and I feel I can play at that level...And it’s a matter of getting the opportunity of doing what I think I can do, whether it be for the Orioles or someone else. Personally, I’m just making sure I am ready for it."

• Steve Melewski at MASN reported that OF/1B Joel Guzman, who hit 33 HR and posted a .963 OPS last season for Bowie (AA) in 2010, will play in Japan next year (Chunichi Dragons). I've liked Guzman ever since he was one of baseball's top prospects with the Dodgers (2005-2006), and I had hoped they'd retain him. But there was no spot for him on the O's 40-man roster, and no other team offered him a major league contract... the Dragons supposedly offered him a lot more money. I guess a guy's gotta eat, I'd just rather he was eating crab cakes than sushi.
• The MLB Network is running a show tonight, in which they'll present nominees for the "Top 20 Games" played over the last 50 years:

"A pool of nominated games, representing the top regular-season and postseason contests from the past 50 years, will be introduced on MLB Network on Tuesday, Dec. 14, at 8 p.m. ET. Then, the top 20 will be selected and ranked from that pool by a panel of sports journalists and media personalities. The results will be aired in January."

• Eric Stashin from The Bleacher Report did a 2011 fantasy baseball projection for OF Nick Markakis, and came to a conclusion that I agree with (but don't love):

"What you are going to get is a .300 hitter with 16-23 HR power and the potential to go 90/90, if not push 100/100 if the lineup around him is producing.  That certainly has value in all formats, doesn’t it? He’s not going to be a top outfielder, but he’s certainly a player I’m going to be targeting in all formats. While others may downgrade him for the poor season, I wouldn’t ignore him.  He’s likely to rebound and will have value."

• Stacey from Camden Chat thinks the Orioles should: "Just Say No to More Starting Pitching". I'm back and forth on this... I love the concept of a veteran, dependable starter that could go regularly go 6-7 innings, keep you in games, and set a solid example for the young-ins... but I don't know if there's anyone out there that really foots the bill. I mean, does this kind of guy really exist anymore? If he does, he costs $47 billion dollars. That's a lot-too-many billion.
• The annual report from the Sports Business Journal ranked MLB commissioner Bud Selig as the 4th most influential figure in sports, in 2010. NFL commish Roger Goodell was #1, and NBA head David Stern was #3.