Several former Orioles players – in the major leagues, as well as the minors – have recently signed minor league contracts with other organizations, according to Baseball America.

Shortstop Juan Castro, who hit .205 with two home runs and 16 RBIs in 54 games for the Orioles last season, agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Omir Santos, who batted .269 with one home run and 36 RBIs in 84 games for the Triple-A Norfolk Tides in 2008, signed with the New York Mets. The 27-year-old catcher also appeared in 11 games with the Orioles.

Josh Towers, a right-handed pitcher who was 8-13 with a 5.05 ERA in 29 games (23 starts) for the Orioles during the 2001 and 2002 seasons, agreed to terms with the Washington Nationals. The 31-year-old pitcher was 6-7 with a 6.27 ERA in 31 games (15 starts) for the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox, an affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, in 2008.

Gustavo Molina, who appeared in seven games with the Orioles in 2007, also joined the Nationals. The 26-year-old catcher appeared in two games with the Mets last season. He also batted .206 with seven home runs and 27 RBIs in 74 games for the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs in the Mets’ minor league system.

Relief pitcher Dave Borkowski, who was 3-4 with a 5.14 ERA in 17 games with the Orioles in 2004, agreed to a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. The 31-year-old right-hander was 0-2 with a 7.50 ERA in 26 appearances for the Houston Astros during the 2008 season.

Speaking of the Astros, they recently agreed to terms with two former Orioles pitchers. Russ Ortiz, who was 0-3 with an 8.48 ERA in 20 games (five starts) for the Orioles in 2006, is attempting to return to professional baseball after missing the entire 2008 season because of arm surgery. Chad Paronto, who was drafted in the eighth round of the 1996 MLB draft by the Orioles, re-signed with Houston. The 33-year-old right-hander was 0-1 with a 4.35 ERA in six appearances for the Astros in 2008. He spent most of the season with the Triple-A Round Rock Express, where he was 0-2 with a 3.08 ERA in 35 games.

Finally, former Orioles minor leaguer Angel Chavez agreed to terms with the Boston Red Sox. Don’t worry if you can’t remember him. The 27-year-old infielder only played four games in the Orioles’ minor league system after he was acquired from the Phillies for Jeff Conine in 2006. Chavez was 4-for-15 with two doubles and three stolen bases for the Double-A Bowie Baysox, and he became a free agent following that season.