Three Birds Granted Free Agency, Links...

It looks like the Orioles are already making personnel decisions when it comes to the roster. Three Orioles refused an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk and instead elected to file for free agency on Tuesday. Left-hander Rich Hill, outfielder Jeff Fiorentino and catcher Guillermo Rodriguez all filed paperwork with Major League Baseball and have informed the O's that they will become free agents, a team spokesman confirmed. Right-hander Alfredo Simon, limited to just two starts this year and coming off Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery, accepted his assignment. All four players were taken off the 40-man roster last week. Hill, Fiorentino and Rodriguez could all re-sign with the O's this offseason, but the filing allows them to talk to other organizations, as well. Really, neither of the three agents are the 'future' of the team. I was looking for a lot more from Rich Hill, as he had promise with the Chicago Cubs, but struggled mightily in Baltimor...