The vision of them smacking homers onto the short porch flag court at Camden Yards and right-handed opponents flying out deep to left field was too exciting not to make the change. So, they moved the wall back nearly 30 feet and up about 6 feet, and the effects were drastic.

DALLAS—Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias was delighted to finally have some free agent signings to talk about. On Tuesday, the Orioles announced the signings of outfielder Tyler O’Neill and catcher Gary Sánchez.

Reports over the weekend suggested that the Orioles weren't keen on giving up a compensatory draft pick in order to

Mike Elias cracked open a Diet Coke, placed it on the table and sat down. Inside the Orioles’ suite at the Hilton Anatole Hotel, the site of this year’s MLB winter meetings, Elias paused his busy Monday to answer questions from reporters.

DALLAS—In Mike Elias’ first day at the Winter Meetings, the signings of outfielder Tyler O’Neill and catcher Gary Sánchez still weren’t made official, and the focus remains on trying to obtain a top starter.

Orioles general manager and vice president Mike Elias discusses competing in free agency, trying to improve the team, trade talks and more