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Former Orioles outfielder Endy Chavez has agreed to terms with the Kansas City Royals, according to a tweet from CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman. No other details were provided and the Royals haven't confirmed the signing. Instant update: ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reports that Chavez signed a minor league deal. Now is the time to frame your Endy Chavez jersey and hang it in your basement. Chavez signed
Good Hall of Fame debate yesterday. I appreciate all the opinions and the passionate arguments. I'll concede that, for a guy who's often complained about the Hall of Fame being watered down, it was strange for me to choose 10 players on this year's ballot. I can no longer be viewed as part of the solution. OK, on to today's debate. Each winter, I try
My Hall of Fame ballot is mocking me again. It sits on a stack of papers on a chair in my living room, just waiting for me to pay attention to it. Always smiling. "Hi Roch." Judging, watching. Look at the ballot, look at the ballot. (OK, who got the movie reference?) This is the tough one, with Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa
Another day passed without the Orioles signing or trading for a player. The 40-man roster still has an opening. Perhaps it will be filled during my drive home from Ocean Pines. News tends to break while I'm behind the wheel. I may have to brake a few times in the snow. Be careful if you're traveling today. I'm already looking ahead to some of the
Looking for a good debate this morning? Perhaps you'll settle for the following: Should the Orioles' front office be focused on reducing the number of strikeouts in the lineup? One argument suggests that strikeouts are the same as a pop up, and much better than a double play grounder, so there's no reason to obsess over them. It's just one out. But another argument suggests
With pitchers and catchers set to report on Feb. 12, I'm reminded of perhaps my favorite moment from spring training 2012. Fans were obsessed with Jim Johnson's diminished velocity, and the media kept bringing it up to him and Orioles manager Buck Showalter after every outing. It wasn't just the radar gun that raised some concerns. Johnson was slowed in camp by a sore back
Because we're still in the month of December and the Orioles' roster isn't set for spring training, it's a real challenge to project starters at certain positions and which four players will comprise the bench. You'd have to be pretty ambitious or bored. Or you'd have to be fulfilling a request, which is where I come into play. I tried to come up with four
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good morning. So I wasn't dreaming of a white Christmas. There's still snow on the ground. I hope Santa was good to all of you and the Bumpus Hounds didn't get your turkey. Executive vice president Dan Duquette didn't find a power hitter or a veteran starting pitcher in his stocking, so he'll make more phone calls
I've been covering the Orioles on a full-time basis since 1997 and I can't recall a team being more supportive of its manager than the current group. These guys seem grateful for everything that Buck Showalter has done for them and for an organization that had lost its way. A manager can't please everyone, but Showalter's batting average is pretty impressive. Discussions about the playoff
The pain is still fresh for Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel. It hasn't gone away. Fortunately, it has nothing to do with his right knee. Hammel said it still "hurts" that the Orioles lost to the Yankees in Game 5 of the American League Division Series, but the best piece of news to come from his interview yesterday on WBAL Radio is that he's on a
Ryan Freel, who appeared in nine games with the Orioles during the 2009 season, has died at 36. Freel committed suicide, according to a report from First Coast News in Jacksonville. The Orioles acquired Freel from the Cincinnati Reds on Dec. 9, 2008 for catcher Ramon Hernandez. They also received infielders Brandon Waring, who remains in the organization, and Justin Turner. The Orioles traded Freel
It's the hot stove season and that means lots and lots of rumors and speculation. They make great stocking stuffers. The Orioles have expressed some level of interest in Tigers right-hander Rick Porcello, according to multiple reports. The two sides have talked. I've been asked about the rumor that the Orioles might send J.J. Hardy to the Tigers for Porcello and infielder Jhonny Peralta. I'm
The Orioles opened a spot on their 40-man roster yesterday and opened up themselves for more rumors and speculation. Steve Pearce was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, the latest twist in a bizarre 2012 for the outfielder/first baseman/weary traveler. Let's review: March 27: Released by the Minnesota Twins March 29: Signed as a free agent with the New York Yankees June 2: Purchased by the Orioles
I can't figure out the baseball market. Mid-level talent is rewarded with outrageous contracts ...and then left-hander John Lannan signs for a guaranteed $2.5 million and catcher A.J. Pierzynski signs for $7.5 million. Bargains, right? Just as they did last winter, the Orioles will hold a mini-camp of sorts at Camden Yards in the days leading up to the Jan. 19 FanFest at the Baltimore
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette remains in talks with the agent for left-hander Joe Saunders - just one of the names linked to the club today. Duquette met once with Saunders' representative, Greg Genske, during the Winter Meetings in Nashville, referring to it as a "preliminary" discussion. There has been additional contact and negotiations continue, as the Orioles seek to add a veteran starter
Adam Greenberg's agreement on a minor league contract with the Orioles, which they announced earlier today, began to gain traction at the Winter Meetings. Greenberg booked a flight to Nashville and introduced himself to Orioles manager Buck Showalter. Later, he met special assistant Brady Anderson and passed along a message. "I told him I'm a ballplayer and I wanted to play," Greenberg said. The Orioles
The Orioles have signed outfielder Adam Greenberg to a minor league contract, the team announced via Twitter. He hasn't received an invitation to spring training. Greenberg, 31, gained national attention in 2005 after being hit in the head on the first pitch thrown to him in the majors with the Chicago Cubs, and again two months ago when the Miami Marlins signed him to a
The Orioles announced yesterday that their list of spring training invites expanded to include first baseman Travis Ishikawa and left-handers Daniel Schlereth and Zach Braddock. Executive vice president Dan Duquette is really enthused about Ishikawa, 29, who batted .257/.329/.428 in 94 games with the Milwaukee Brewers this year and .265/.327/.400 with 15 homers and 80 RBIs in 281 games with the San Francisco Giants over
The Orioles have signed first baseman Travis Ishikawa and left-handers Daniel Schlereth and Zach Braddock to minor league contracts with invitations to spring training. Ishikawa, 29, batted .257/.329/.428 in 94 games with Milwaukee in 2012. He batted .265/.327/.400 with 15 home runs and 80 RBIs in 281 games with San Francisco over four seasons (2006, 2008-10). In his career, Ishikawa has batted .266/.333/.416 with 18
The Orioles are in the process of hiring former Boston Red Sox farm director Kent Qualls as part of their minor league baseball operations staff, according to multiple industry sources. The hiring isn't official and the Orioles aren't expected to announce their minor league staffs, including managers and coaches, until after the holidays. From what I'm hearing, Qualls mostly would be involved in the administrative
To answer a few readers, the Orioles are in the process of working through a number of candidates to replace Bobby Dickerson as minor league infield coordinator. They are considering members of the organization and also are exploring options outside of it. Dickerson was hired as third base coach, which forces him to surrender his previous duties. The club routinely waits to announce all of
Matt Hobgood, the fifth overall pick in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, is flying home to California for the holidays after receiving good news earlier today from Dr. Craig Morgan. Hobgood said he passed all of the tests administered by Dr. Morgan, who performed surgery in April to tighten the pitcher's right shoulder capsule. "He laid me on my back and tested my shoulder in
Since there's still no real news coming out of the warehouse - just non-update updates and more names being chucked against the wall - I'll pass along a few leftover quotes. Maybe I'll try to make up something later, just to keep it interesting around here. When did the Orioles realize that they were legit this year? "In spring training, we all believed we had
One of the responsibilities laid at the feet of new third base coach Bobby Dickerson will be working with the infielders. He spent the past three seasons as the Orioles' minor league infield coordinator, so the task shouldn't trip him up. Manager Buck Showalter noted last week that Dickerson did an outstanding job assisting rookie Manny Machado in the transition from shortstop to third base.
Left-hander Dana Eveland, who appeared in 14 games with the Orioles this season, has signed with the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Professional Baseball League. Confirmation came via a tweet from @bicycleyoun. Eveland is guaranteed $675,000 from Hanwha after making $750,000 with the Orioles in 2012. Eveland actually signed with the Eagles a few weeks ago, but the team didn't announce it until today. The
Is anyone else surprised that left-hander John Lannan settled for a one-year deal with the Phillies worth a reported $2.5 million guaranteed, with another $2.5 million possible in incentives? Everyone else is hauling in ridiculous amounts of cash for being mediocre. Didn't Lannan get the memo? Left-hander Joe Saunders must be hoping that Lannan didn't just set the market for him. Saw this interesting stat
Why haven't the Orioles made a trade? There isn't one particular reason. That would be way too easy. The Orioles aren't simply going to hand over their young pitching. Teams need to value these arms as much as the Orioles. If they don't, executive vice president Dan Duquette will keep his surplus and Triple-A Norfolk's rotation will be loaded like a baked potato. The Orioles
I'm taking a break from researching the Washington Wizards and all the schools defecting from the Big East to check on the latest rumors involving the Orioles' interest in New York Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey. Andy Martino of the New York Daily News tweeted earlier today that the Orioles were one of the "serious players" for Dickey, the National League's Cy Young Award winner. Jon
The last words spoken by Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette during yesterday's conference call with reporters alluded to his continued efforts to bolster the lineup. "I can tell you that we'll keep looking for a capable bat to add to our ballclub," Duquette said. That bat is supposed to fit at first base or as the designated hitter. Duquette has indicated that the Orioles
Bobby Dickerson served as a player-coach for the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings back in 1993, beginning a journey that finally carried him to the majors this afternoon, when the Orioles announced his hiring as their new third base coach. Dickerson beat out a list of candidates that included a few guys who had major league experience in the third base box. "I watched it unfold
The Orioles made outfielder Nate McLouth, executive vice president Dan Duquette, manager Buck Showalter and new third base coach Bobby Dickerson available today on a conference call. One-stop shopping for reporters. Always appreciated. McLouth, 31, passed his physical and signed his one-year contract. He batted .268/.342/.435 with seven home runs, 18 RBIs and 12 stolen bases in 13 attempts over 55 games after the Orioles
The Orioles have chosen Bobby Dickerson as their new third base coach, completing manager Buck Showalter's staff for 2013. Dickerson, 47, replaces DeMarlo Hale, who accepted a job as the Blue Jays' bench coach. Dickerson has spent the past three seasons as the Orioles' minor league infield coordinator, and he will work with the infielders as part of his new job. He served as Triple-A
The news that Josh Hamilton has agreed to a five-year, $125 million contract with the Angels officially ends any and all rumors that the Orioles are a potential match for him. They weren't in play for him. Didn't matter whether they were searching for a left fielder. It wasn't going to happen, but that didn't stop the madness. Hamilton was this winter's Prince Fielder. The
Stop me if you've heard this one: The Orioles could announce today that they've officially signed Nate McLouth to a one-year contract. McLouth hasn't completed his physical, which explains the delay. I've heard that he had to fly back home, but it could be done later today. McLouth was seeking a deal worth about $2.5 million as the Winter Meetings started up in Nashville. The
The Orioles could announce outfielder Nate McLouth's signing later today. He's scheduled to take his physical and it depends when the club gets the results. McLouth agreed to a one-year, $2 million deal at the Winter Meetings that includes a possible $500,000 in bonuses. "I think he deserves it," said Nick Markakis. "What he did for us in the second half ever since he got
The Orioles hosted 80 first- through fifth-grade students from Morrell Park Elementary School in Baltimore today as part of the 34th Annual OriolesREACH Holiday Party for Kids at Dave & Busters at Arundel Mills Mall. Manager Buck Showalter, shortstop J.J. Hardy, outfielders Nick Markakis and LJ Hoes, and pitcher Steve Johnson served lunch to the kids, played games and signed autographs. They were joined by
Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy lost one of his favorite teammates and card players. Hardy was hoping that the Orioles would re-sign Mark Reynolds, who agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Cleveland Indians, "I've still got (Matt) Wieters next to me, but he only played because Reynolds forced us to play, and then (Nick) Markakis was also in there," Hardy said earlier today
If the Orioles don't acquire another first baseman, Chris Davis will be playing the not-so-hot corner on opening day at Tropicana Field. Manager Buck Showalter is prepared to give Davis the job, with the full support of executive vice president Dan Duquette. As the roster is currently constructed, Wilson Betemit would back up Davis as one of Showalter's four reserves. In the meantime, Duquette continues
The Orioles have tapped into the independent league market again to find another pitcher. They're leaving no independent stone unturned. The Orioles signed right-hander Kyle Mertins, according to a tweet from his former team, the Sioux Falls Pheasants of the American Association. Mertins, 24, is a former 28th-round pick of the Atlanta Braves in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft out of Cal-State Fullerton. He went
So what should we read into the Orioles' total lack of interest in bringing back first baseman Mark Reynolds, who has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Cleveland Indians? Several people at the Winter Meetings suggested that money wasn't the issue. The Orioles simply felt that they could upgrade at first base. Reynolds' contract with the Indians is for a guaranteed $6
Orioles manager Buck Showalter has a pretty good idea of which player will bat leadoff next season if all the candidates are healthy, but he'll allow the process to play itself out in spring training. Showalter doesn't think he can go wrong with Brian Roberts, Nate McLouth or Nick Markakis sitting atop the order. "I feel comfortable that we have people who are capable of
Re-signing Nate McLouth brought more questions for the Orioles. Is he the everyday left fielder? Will he bat leadoff? Let's tackle the second one. Asked whether McLouth would remain at the top of the order, executive vice president Dan Duquette replied, "Let's see how it plays out." It's tough to project the lineup without knowing whether Duquette is signing or trading for another player, but
Did the Yankees do anything at the Winter Meetings this year? I may have missed it. I wonder how their fans reacted to the lack of news. I also wonder if Rays fans are particularly excited about James Loney and Yunel Escobar. I'm proud to announce that I pulled off the best trade of the Winter Meetings. I swapped my 7 p.m. flight out of
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Rule 5 draft is over and teams are checking out of the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center and Resort. Any trades or free agent signings will have to be done at home. It's never easy to say goodbye. Don't look back. Well, executive vice president Dan Duquette looked back at his four days here while meeting with reporters for the final time
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - With the 23rd pick in the Rule 5 draft, the Orioles selected left-hander Timothy McFarland from the Indians' Triple-A roster. McFarland goes by "T.J." Make him feel welcome. The Indians chose McFarland in the fourth round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft. He went 8-6 with 4.82 ERA in 17 starts with Columbus this year, and 8-2 with a 2.69 ERA in
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - I see a light at the end of the tunnel, and it's not the illuminated 500-foot Christmas tree in the middle of this monstrosity of a hotel. The Winter Meetings will officially end after the Rule 5 draft that begins at 9 a.m. Central time. There's never a buzz over these drafts. The only thing more boring is the minor league phase
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette began tonight's media session by talking about the one-year contract that outfielder Nate McLouth agreed to this afternoon. "We've been looking to sign an outfielder for our club, and pending a physical, which is always very important to the Orioles, it looks like we're going to be able to agree to a deal with Nate McLouth,"
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette passed along a few nuggets of news during his eight-minute session with the media in his suite at the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center and Resort. Duquette confirmed that he won't attempt to sign free-agent outfielder Nick Swisher, whose representatives met with the Orioles last night. Duquette said the Orioles have enough outfielders after re-signing Nate McLouth,
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Former Nationals manager Jim Riggleman is being considered for the Orioles' third base coaching job. The list compiled by manager Buck Showalter appears to contain as many as six names, including Rich Dauer and Don Wakamatsu. It's fluid, as Showalter likes to say. Steve Smith took himself out of the running by informing Showalter that he wanted to be freed up to
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Orioles' first transaction of the Winter Meetings involves bringing back one of their players. The Orioles have reached agreement with outfielder Nate McLouth on a one-year deal worth $2 million, which will become official once he passes a physical. He also could earn another $500,000 for 500 plate appearances, according to an industry source. The club doesn't discuss the monetary side
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Minnesota Twins are devoting part of these Winter Meetings to gauging outside interest in first baseman Justin Morneau, and the Orioles are counted among the teams they've contacted, according to an industry source. The Twins would want - wait for it - young pitching in return for Morneau, who will make $14 million in 2013, the final year of his contract.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - This is the third and last full day of the Winter Meetings. I don't count Thursday because executives, scouts, agents and media roll out after the Rule 5 draft, which is held in the morning. I stick around until late afternoon before racing to the airport and trying to remember where I parked my car. Though the direction of negotiations can shift
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - While the Orioles decide on their next third base coach, one of their early candidates, Rich Dauer, has taken a job as manager with Double-A San Antonio. Dauer never heard from the Orioles and yesterday accepted an offer from San Antonio, a San Diego Padres affiliate. "We've been talking for a couple of weeks," said Dauer, who was dismissed as Rockies third
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - It appears that the Orioles are having their busiest day of the Winter Meetings today, though they are waiting to make their first trade or sign a free agent. Executive vice president Dan Duquette had met with about five teams and six agents by the time he sat down with reporters in his suite around 5:30 p.m. Central time. The agents included
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter isn't antsy about the club's failure to make a trade at the Winter Meetings. As he said, it's "just the opposite." "We value our players," he said. "If someone doesn't value them the way we do, then we keep them. I'm the field manager, and I'm about not just the 40-man roster, but everybody. I've talked to four
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter just spent 30 minutes addressing the media in the workroom here at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. Here are a few of the highlights. I'll post quotes later in the afternoon. * Showalter said he isn't antsy that the Orioles haven't made a trade and he wouldn't want them to if other executives don't place the
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Fred Ferreira, the Orioles' executive director of international recruiting, has signed 61 players who reached the majors. Pitcher Miguel Gonzalez was the latest. Who will be the 62nd? "Probably (Henry) Urrutia," he said earlier today, referencing the Cuban outfielder who signed with the Orioles in July. Urrutia remains in Haiti, awaiting a visa that will allow him to join a team in
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Early rumors from Day 2 of the Winter Meetings include the Orioles having interest in Nationals first baseman Michael Morse and Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. The Morse report from FOXSports.com is absolutely correct. However, as I've stated, the interest is lukewarm at the moment. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo told reporters yesterday that he hasn't been contacted by the Orioles. Industry types
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - I spent the 2011 Winter Meetings stating on a daily basis that the Orioles were going to make a trade. You could count on it. All the signs pointed in that direction. It finally happened with left-hander Dana Eveland, who was acquired from the Dodgers for two minor leaguers. I didn't suggest that it would be a blockbuster. I just said "trade."
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette spent part of today attending a luncheon honoring Fred Ferreira, the club's executive director of international recruiting who was named "International Scout of the Year" by Major League Baseball. He also met, by his estimation, with four executives from other teams and three or four agents. None of the agents represented Orioles who declared for free
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette will meet with reporters in about 90 minutes. In the meantime, here's the latest from the lobby. Believe as much or as little as you choose. I'm told that the Orioles have "lukewarm" interest in Nationals first baseman Michael Morse, who could be available in a trade. They're monitoring the D.C. situation. Nats general manager Mike
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - An executive of a team that's interested in Adam LaRoche told ESPN's Jayson Stark that the Orioles are going "hard" after the free agent first baseman. The Orioles made LaRoche an offer two winters ago for two years and a vesting option. He turned them down. Now he's 33 and still looking for three guaranteed years for a reported $36 million. Former
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The biggest news to come out of the Winter Meetings this morning involves the Yankees and Red Sox. That's fairly typical, but it's not because the Yankees made a huge splash in the free agent market. A river does run through the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center - I've seen large goldfish and a tour boat - but that's not what
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Forget what you read last night. The Winter Meetings actually begin today. OK, it's fine to retain the information passed along on Sunday. The Orioles are searching for a hitter to plug into the middle of their lineup. It's most likely to come via a trade. Any free agent signings will be complementary. Nobody who will rock your baseball world. Please stop
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette took a break from the affiliates dinner tonight at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center to meet with reporters before the Winter Meetings officially get under way. The Orioles remain in the market for a hitter, whether it's left-handed or right-handed. Power is a requirement. And it could be first base, left field or designated
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The size of the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center hasn't been exaggerated. It's like a small town. Actually, it's like a regular town. There's nothing small about this place. I'm carrying two maps with routes highlighted to the media workroom and my hotel room. I've gotten lost multiple times. An elderly woman walked me to an elevator after I checked in,
I'm hearing that Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa are looking to make a comeback, and the Orioles are in on all of them. Sorry. Just practicing for the Winter Meetings, where the ridiculous is sold as reality. Scouts and general managers will attach some of the biggest names to the Orioles because, well, it makes sense to them. Not because they're hearing it
The Orioles' decision to designate reliever Stu Pomeranz for assignment and allow him to become a free agent was related to a back injury that will require surgery. The club is in the process of arranging the surgery for Pomeranz, according to an official. He won't pitch in 2013. The injury involves a vertebrae in Pomeranz's lower back and is considered pretty serious, according to
It doesn't appear that the Orioles will hire a third base coach before convening in Nashville for the Winter Meetings. Rich Dauer is in their Hall of Fame. He's on their list. Now he's just waiting for their phone call. Dauer spent all 10 seasons of his major league career with the Orioles and played on the 1979 and 1983 World Series teams. Recently fired
