Odds & Ends: Duchscherer, Dodgers, Phillies

A few more links to peruse as MLB officials sift through rainy forecasts in NYC…

• According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Oakland GM Billy Beane has touched base with free agent right-hander Justin Duchscherer.  It's not yet clear, however, whether the A's will try to retain him.  MLBTR profiled the "Duke of Hurl" about a month ago.
• Diamond Leung passes along a nice anecdote involving Dodgers assistant GM Kim Ng and Justin Orenduff, the club's 2004 first-round pick.  Orenduff was designated for assignment last year to clear roster space for Manny Ramirez and then retired in March of 2009.
• As noted by Scott Lauber of the Wilmington News Journal, Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. believes putting together a winning organization is about more than simply finding the best talent.  "We have guys who, throughout the lineup and in the rotation and the bullpen, are just good guys, winning-type players who believe in each other," said Amaro. "I would put our clubhouse up against any clubhouse I’ve ever been around or may ever be around."  It's corny, but you can't argue with the results.