So how is baseball different that basketball and football? In baseball you can be drafted and sign with an agent and still return to college to play sports. In basketball and football you can't. Can you explain that?

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Chuck: Well, technically, you can't sign with an agent. The agent can only act as a "family advisor." It's a distinction without a difference, but it's part of an agreement between baseball and the colleges to only draft players after their third year. pete

When drafted, I believe Matusz stated that he couldn't wait to get started. Obviously, he didn't quite understand how the process works either. It would be nice if he had already had a month in at Frederick, then maybe start at Bowie next year.

Ok Peter -

Who will take over Roch's duties as the official O's blog? I'm wondering because that has been a big part of why I have come here, to check updates about the team and the lineups for the game, and so on.

Could you give us any information? Thanks.

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Ben, check the blog. I'm going to answer that momentarily. pete

Pete -

Welcome to the 'sphere, looking forward to the fun!

"Now, I'm just going to sit back and wait for all the fat-guy jokes about how much I sweat. Bring it on."

Not from here. That ole Pot/Kettle thing.

Sorry Pete, but we save all the good fat jokes for donut destroyer Preston. He makes you look svelte.

OK Pete, the news from here in "Twins Territory" is that the Twins have promoted Liriano and DFA'd Livan Hernandez. I know he's a WHIP disaster, but he eats innings. Would the O's be interested?

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Iowa: I don't know the answer, but it's an intriguing possibility and I'll ask around. pete

McPhail is cotinuing the O's tradition of putting a few bucks ahead of the team's success. Why draft Matuuz then waste 3 months signing him? Then look at Tampa Bay who couldn't wait to sign Langoria to a long term deal and signing draftees and getting them to the biig team in no time. Thisis a rudderless team.

Despite the success of Areitta and Wieters this year it makes little sense for the O's to wait so long to sign these top picks. I know he had a lot of miles this year in college but one would have to think that having him play organised ball in some capacity under Oriole control would be benificail to his development.

From what I was hearing about him when drafted folks said he could help the big league club next year, I would have to think that is a lot less likely with this delay.

For gosh sake Pete, stand up straight.

John, what team have you been following the past year? McPhail has been the architect of a full-on rebuild. Signed Weiters who is now, if not #1, at least in the top 3 of all minor league prospects. Traded Bedard for an absolute gold mine worth of players, and got a very good return for a declining player in Tejada. He'll get Matusz signed and has continued to build the farm system as well as our overseas scouting and developing departments. This team FINALLY has a rudder.