With the O's finally getting involved in the Asian market, I was wondering if they had made any more strides in improving their facilities and Scouting in Latin America. I know that was one of the issues Andy McPhail wanted to address.

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Pete's reply: They are continuing to expand their efforts in the Dominican Republic with the new facility there and expanding international scouting overall. I think they are making progress, but couldn't really tell you how much.

What the hell is a crosschecker?

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Pete's reply: Area and regional scouts evaluate players and make reports to the team from all over a region or all over the country. The crosschecker evaluates that information and goes out to see certain players for himself and makes comparisons of them for the scouting department.

I miss my childhood "idol" Andy Etchebarren no longer coaching at Aberdeen . He played the game the way it was supposed to be played .
Since he was relieved of his duties , is he still in baseball , anyone ??

Pete - I need some education. What does a crosschecker in scouting do? I see we have a national and a regional one.

There is an irony in the fact that Angelos is so loyal to the Thrift family. Syd pretty much sunk the O's into this cesspool when he was the GM.

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Pete's reply: I'm guessing Jim Thrift came here because of former Reds GM Wayne Krivsky, who has joined the O's front office. He did a good job for the Reds for a long time.

Einar Diaz? The same one that was supposed to be the next big Indians catcher before Victor Martinez broke through? Wow, I thought he was still playing. When'd he retire?

Not on the topic of this post, but rumor has it that the Mets offered 3 years $30 million to Oliver Perez. I know he would have to want to pitch here, but I can't really understand why the team wouldn't want to make a play at him. He is coming into his prime and wouldn't necessarily clog up the rotation for our big pitching prospects. If anything, he would provide a solid starter to build the young guys around until one of them takes over as the Ace of the staff. Your thoughts please?

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Pete's reply: I would guess the Orioles have inquired about him, but it's pretty hard to get guys who are in demand to come to this ballpark in a non-competitive situation.

Pete,

Your last two posts have been entitled "Minor matters" and "Minor coaching matters." In my view, all of the Orioles' off season moves have been minor, with the possible exception of the Uehara signing. (Yeah, I know it could be argued that trading Hernandez would fall in the category as it opened up a spot for Wieters, but however awkward the team could have dealt with having them both.)

In other words, it's been pretty much business as usual for a perennial loser.

Now, based on your sources within the organization and/or on your gut feelings, what are the chances that between now and opening day the O's make any major moves besides possible contract extensions for Roberts and/or Markakis...slim and none?

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Pete's reply: Yes, fairly slim.

The Orioles cant even settle on a spring training home in Florida, how can we expect them to get something built in the Dominican or Japan....not happening. Hello 5th place in 2010 - 2020

Why go to the trouble of hiring scouts , nobody wants to play here anyway , let this pitiful franchise just go away , what a joke,,have more Kool-aid people...............this franchise is nothing but workfare for over the hill players and coaches...............

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Pete's reply: And yet you're still here, reading every word.

To the Honorable P. Schmuck:

I have a question that's been brewing awhile. Rushing pitching prospects aside (if that can be put aside), is there some structural reason why the few pitchers in the O's system who can consistently throw strikes (Guthrie, Tillman, etc.) actually came from other teams? Why is it that players born and bred in the O's system (D. Cabrera, G. Olson, etc.) have had such major control issues? Might we not only have a lack of player depth in our farm system, but also a lack of coaching ability? If so, how can the drafting of great prospects like Matusz and Arrieta ever convert to well-prepared candidacy for a major league rotation?

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Pete's reply: Interesting question. The O's pitching coaches, who set up the program for the entire organization, also have been from other teams the past few years, so -- if that was the problem -- maybe it's getting fixed.

In response to Jack's question: Etchebaren was coaching last year in the Independent, Atlantic league for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs that are owned by Brooks Robinson.

What, if anything are you hearing about the injured arms from 2008? Will Baez, Ray, Patton, etc..be ready for spring training? Any Nick Markakis contract neg updates? Thanx for the excellent job you do keeping us informed!

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Pete's reply: I believe all three pitchers are going to be ready to throw in spring training. I'll ask around to make sure. I believe the Markakis negotiations will resume shortly.

Nate : Thanks !

Your column would have been far better news if it had concerned the firing of most of the Orioles' minor league pitching and hitting coaches.You have ONE (count 'em) top hitting prospect, and none olf their pitchers can throw a strike when they come up here.

It's revealing that John Maine didn't develop 'till he'd gone to the Mets....isn't it?