New York -- The Orioles will have to make some important decisions on Thursday, as all Major League teams have until 11:59 p.m. ET setting their 40-man rosters and protect any eligible prospects from being drawn in next month's Rule 5 Draw up.

The O's have had success in the Principle 5 Draft recently, when they have been able to keep infielder Ryan Flaherty in addition to left-handed pitcher T.J. McFarland. Additionally they re-signed last year's Rule A few Draft pick, infielder Michael Almanzar, the 2009 week.

So, who could New York put? Right now, the Orioles have 33 players on their 40-man roster, with right-handed pitcher Oliver Drake signing a Major Group deal on Tuesday. They have a cost-free space of sorts, together with first baseman Chris Davis still providing a 25-game suspension and not counting toward the club's 40-man list. However, they will likely leave a space or two open in the event that they sign somebody prior to the Rule 5 Set up, which will take place on 12 ,. 11, the last day of the Winter Meetings in San Diego.

The O's are anticipated to add at least three participants, possibly as many five, to avoid losing some of their prospects for some other clubs. The primary names are pitchers Mike Wright, Tyler Wilson, Parker Bridwell and Mychal Givens, and catcher Mark Ward.

What makes them eligible for your Rule 5 Draft this winter? A player not on a new team's 40-man roster who was finalized at age-19 or older and has now been in the organization for four-plus decades, or was signed with age-18 or younger and has been in the organization for five-plus years is allowed to be taken in the Rule 5 Draft. If selected inside Major League portion of the Write, that player must stick to the 25-man roster of the new team for the whole time of year or be offered back to the initial club.

Wilson and Wright seem like hair to be added to the 40-man roster, with both generating outside the house interest from other clubs and believed to be Major League-caliber arms. Wilson had a breakout season of sorts, going 14-8 with a 3.Sixty seven combined ERA at Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk. A former 10th-round selection, he's the scrappy pitcher who scouts describe as sensible on the mound, and His acquired the Orioles' Minor League Glass pitcher of the Year Award.

Wright had a less successful campaign, but New York thinks the potential is still there, despite the 5-11 record with a 4.61 ERA at Norfolk. A part of large league Spring Training each of the past two years, it's hard to envision the Orioles not protecting them.

Bridwell and Givens each have upside, and the've steadily climbed the has a high ranking in the O's organization. Bridwell went 7-10 that has a 4.45 ERA on Class A Advanced Frederick, but His has shown quick onset flashes of dominance, and His has a fastball that hits the mid-90s. Givens is a turned infielder who had a solid showing (3.09 ERA) as a reliever in this year's Arizona Fall League.

Ward has advanced considerably on the defensive conclusion, and he's well thought of in the organization for their abilities to control the opponents' running game. But the Orioles have 4 catchers on their current 40-man list -- Matt Wieters, Caleb Joseph, Steve Clevenger and also Michael Ohlman -- meaning Ward may be the odd man out.

New York -- Despite a 21-year Lounge of Fame playing vocation and several years of experience coaching as well as instructing players at the Major League and Minor Group levels, Paul Molitor had never attended the Winter Meetings before this year.

But the new Twins manager is in New York representing the organization at the Winter Meetings this week as well as said Monday that it's recently been a valuable learning experience to be able to stay in on meetings in conjunction with general manager Terry Ryan and his workers.

'I've spent a lot of time in the Boy twins suite discussing our ambitions for our time here, critiquing everything from free agents towards the Rule 5 [Draft] to fellas who could be a fit in a new trade,' Molitor said. 'I think you continue to learn about some other part of the job that you're undertaking. You'd be foolish not to keep your ears open and try to expose you to ultimately many things that transpire as well as the development of an organization and the procedure for trying to supplement your roster in any way that you possibly can.'

Molitor, 61, was hired to replace John Gardenhire as manager on Late. 3 and spent high of his first month while at work working to fill out the rest of his coaching staff. The Boy twins wanted to hire all 6 coaches before the Winter Group meetings and accomplished their objective by making their final use Dec. 1.

So it's permitted Molitor to focus more on planning for his first Spring Training as a manager, while also dabbling in signing up free agents and providing his input to the front office.

Molitor said he'll work Spring Training similar to the approach Gardenhire did, as it's based down former Twins manager Ben Kelly's blueprint. But Molitor noted His can add his own wrinkles here and there, while the structure will mainly remain the same.

'We have a field strategy that's successful for the most part,Inches Molitor said. 'We have certain things i feel we are going to adjust, whether it is how we have pickoffs or bunt health or whatever, cutoff and relays, you may do things differently. Whatever you want to do, you have to do it earlier because then I think players will understand we're undertaking something different. And the reason we are doing it is because we want to vary and better.'

One change, however, is the fact that Molitor said His plans on acquiring Danny Santana come into camp competing for just a spot at his organic shortstop position instead of center discipline. Santana had twice as many starts with center field (62) compared to shortstop (31) last year. Molitor, however, said it's not set in stone because of the logjam it generates at shortstop with Eduardo Escobar and the hole it creates in center industry.

'I'm just trying to think of big picture here and maybe see what's the best thing and how he's going to fit into if that move happens,In Molitor said. 'We'll just have to see how in which plays out.'

But one thing Molitor wants to change is the culture with the clubhouse, as His said it stunned him how much His noticed players sitting at their lockers on their own phones or iPads rather than interacting with teammates. His said the addition of observed clubhouse presence Torii Hunter should help the situation.

'Somehow I think we will need to try to find a little bit better harmony there,' Molitor said. 'Guys knowing what their purpose of being at the ballpark is. Definitely, you want to have some fun and do certain things. However would like to stir that up just a little bit if I can.'

Molitor, even though, said His doesn't want to return off as a stickler, but plans on bringing a measured approach to managing instead of being a fiery-type supervisor.

'I think that I'm going to be more interior than external,' Molitor said. 'I think I like the idea of calmness, regardless of circumstance. I like peaceful. Calm is good for me.'