Roch Kubatko
Roch Kubatko

Statement from O's regarding spring facility

Statement from O's regarding spring facility
It speaks for itself: "Earlier today, the Florida Supreme Court affirmed the Orioles' spring training agreement with Sarasota County and completely validated the County process and the issuance of the construction bonds. In doing so, the Florida Supreme Court dismissed all of the plaintiffs' claims against Sarasota County and the named County Commissioners. The Orioles' confidence in Sarasota County has yet again been reaffirmed by this decision. We continue to move full speed ahead with...
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Roch Kubatko

Buying Bonds as a hitting coach?

Buying Bonds as a hitting coach?
I don't know if you've heard the news, but Barry Bonds told reporters in San Francisco last night that he wants to return to baseball as a hitting coach. The Orioles won't include him on their list of candidates, but he's out there. Bonds never officially retired, but he's ready to move onto the next phase of his professional life. Says so right here. "I have a gift, and sooner or later I have to give it away. I have to share it," he said. "Hopefully, I'll get the opportunity...
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Matusz endorses Kranitz's return

Matusz endorses Kranitz's return
Today's lone reference to the coaching staff, barring an unexpected announcement, comes via left-hander Brian Matusz, who strongly endorses the return of pitching coach Rick Kranitz. You'll keep hearing names attached to various positions on the staff. By my conservative estimation, the total will rise to 4,000 before the Orioles issue their press release. Each day, another friend of Buck Showalter or an instructor at some level with some team will become a rumored candidate. It will be...
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Roch Kubatko

Orioles release spring schedule

Orioles release spring schedule
The Orioles will play nine different teams in Sarasota next spring, and will host the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers twice at Ed Smith Stadium. The Minnesota Twins will make three trips to Sarasota, and the Tampa Bay Rays, Houston Astros and Toronto Blue Jays will each make one visit. Here it is: Monday, February 28: Pittsburgh Pirates (ss) - Bradenton - 1:05 Tuesday, March 1: Tampa Bay Rays - Sarasota -...
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Roch Kubatko

Talking about Bordick, Down and Allenson

Talking about Bordick, Down and Allenson
The Orioles are getting closer to finalizing their coaching staff and making the grand announcement. I'm not carting around my laptop today, but some of the "moving parts," as manager Buck Showalter likes to call them, are slowing down. I wrote yesterday that former shortstop Mike Bordick would be willing to listen if the Orioles offered a coaching position, but he expects to continue working as a roving minor league instructor. He mentioned the possibility of taking on additional...
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Roch Kubatko

Crow changing roles; what about Bordy?

Crow changing roles; what about Bordy?
The Sun is reporting, through unnamed sources, that Terry Crowley has accepted a position as an "organizational-wide offensive evaluator," which also leaves the Orioles in the market for a hitting coach. This is an interesting reversal from Crowley, who had agreed to return as hitting coach next season. I'm told he was given the option by manager Buck Showalter and accepted it, but three weeks later, he's apparently changed his mind and his title. I haven't been able to reach Crowley in...
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Roch Kubatko

Grover's birthday

Grover's birthday
Actually, this blog entry is brought to you by the letter H, for "Hargrove." I'm sending out warm birthday wishes to former Orioles manager Mike Hargrove, who turned 61 today. Grover managed the Orioles for four seasons after guiding the Indians to five consecutive AL Central titles and two appearances in the World Series. If I'm Hargrove, I'm not taking Jose Mesa's calls. Hargrove never really had the personnel in Baltimore to compete against the heavyweights in the AL East, and a...
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Still waiting and wondering

Still waiting and wondering
Maybe this will be the day that someone returns a phone call, text message or e-mail. Well, someone besides the electrician who's stopping by my house to check on my smoke detectors. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions and concerns. They were greatly appreciated. Too bad this electrician isn't a possibility to serve on manager Buck Showalter's coaching staff. The guy spoke to me twice yesterday. Rather than talk about a coach being hired, we can eliminate Brian Butterfield, who's...
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More pitching coaches needed

More pitching coaches needed
It didn't take long for the Yankees to react to their ouster from the ALCS. They fired pitching coach Dave Eiland today. Somebody had to be the scapegoat. General manager Brian Cashman refused to provide any reasons, but my guess is he wasn't happy with the pitching. The Red Sox also are in the market for a pitching coach after John Farrell was named Blue Jays manager. That's two teams within the division. And Farrell might want to make his own changes. Meanwhile, the Orioles might be...
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Werth every penny

Werth every penny
In case you skipped last night's Packers-Vikings game, you missed this exchange between sideline reporter Andrea Kremer and Green Bay receiver Donald Driver: Kremer: "What's the team have to do to get back in the win column?" Driver: "Just win." Back to you. Former Ravens cornerback Frank Walker was called for defensive holding. No, seriously. But he didn't climb up a receiver's back and wrestle him to the ground while the ball was in the air, so that's a good thing. It still...
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The Happy Slacker

The Happy Slacker
So much for my Yankees-Phillies prediction. I really liked the Phillies to win it all. Then again, I also liked New Coke, so don't go by me. I'm glad that Aubrey Huff, dubbed the "Happy Slacker" by Sun columnist Peter Schmuck, is getting a chance to play in the World Series. It looked like he could barely choke back the tears last night. You'd be emotional, too, if you spent all those years playing at Tropicana Field before the Rays actually got good. I can't slam the Orioles for...
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Roch Kubatko

Should Kranitz return?

Should Kranitz return?
My thermostat says it's 63 degrees. I don't want to turn on my heat yet...but my thermostat says it's 63 degrees. Should we hold a moment of silence for the Yankees? I didn't think so. Alex Rodriguez taking a called third strike to end the ALCS brought a smile to my face. I won't lie. Is there any doubt that the Yankees will throw about $400 million at Cliff Lee this winter? The Rangers are actually in the World Series. Somewhere, Oddibe McDowell is smiling. So is Buck Showalter,...
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Should Orioles consider Mark Reynolds?

Should Orioles consider Mark Reynolds?
This is the time of year when we suggest ways that the Orioles can improve their roster. We know the needs, but who fills them? Third baseman Brandon Inge is off the market after signing a two-year extension with the Tigers. I'm not sure how many of you had penciled him into your Opening Day lineup. So what about Mark Reynolds? I bring up his name because I'm told that one of the talk shows on sports-radio KTAR in Phoenix devoted significant air time to the idea of the Arizona...
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Angelos, MacPhail and Showalter meet

Angelos, MacPhail and Showalter meet
Not much to report on today's meeting that took place with majority owner Peter Angelos, president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail and manager Buck Showalter. MacPhail confirmed that it took place, but wouldn't provide any details. This meeting is held every October, though the manager isn't always present. They review the past season and hold their first formal discussion about where to go from here. You can be sure that a run-producing hitter was discussed, as well as the corner...
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Some spring training dates

Some spring training dates
It's never too early to look ahead to spring training. It enables me to skip winter and avoid that snow shovel. A few teams have released tentative schedules for exhibition games, and you can find a master Grapefruit League schedule right here. The Orioles play the Phillies March 8 in Clearwater and March 11 and 19 in Sarasota. They play the Astros March 12 in Kissimmee anad March 15 in Sarasota. Plan accordingly. The Cardinals released their schedule and the Orioles aren't on it....
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Allenson, Matusz, Tillman, etc. (updated)

Allenson, Matusz, Tillman, etc. (updated)
Did you see the report coming out of Peru about a coach from Sport Ancash, a professional soccer team, being accused of giving players from Hijos de Acosvinchos tainted water that resulted in their on-field collapse during a recent game? Poisoning the other team and causing a collapse? Maybe that explains the 2-16 start. I promised myself that I wouldn't mention the Orioles' coaching staff again until the club finally made an announcement, but here I go. I had a brief chat with Gary...
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Is Nakajima staying in Japan?

Is Nakajima staying in Japan?
I'm not a big Twitter guy, as you might have figured out, but I signed up so I could check the tweets - ugh - on NPB Tracker. Here's one of the first tweets - dear Lord - that I stumbled upon: "Looks like Seibu is not going to post Nakajima" That's 28-year-old Japanese shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima, who has been heavily scouted by the Orioles. John Stockstill confirmed their interest last week. Here's a followup quote attributed to Seibu owner Goto: "If there's a hope we'll talk...
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Deja vu all over again

Deja vu all over again
First it's June Cleaver, now Howard Cunningham. This hasn't been a good week for TV parents. If Rob Petrie dies, I'll stay curled up in a ball for weeks. A Yankee hits a long fly ball, the right fielder appears to be camped under it at the fence, and a fan reaches out and deflects it. Like that would ever happen in a playoff game. Did anyone else have flashbacks last night to the 1996 ALCS as Robinson Cano circled the bases and Nelson Cruz pointed into the first row of seats? Did you...
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Roch Kubatko

Today's flashback

Today's flashback
Baseball America's Matt Eddy released the latest list of minor league free agents, one of my favorite features from the publication. Eddy reported that the Orioles re-signed pitcher Raul Rivero, so everyone can relax. Actually, Rivero was 4-3 with a 3.06 ERA in 37 relief appearances - 22 with Single-A Frederick and 15 with Double-A Bowie. The Giants allowed pitcher Denny Bautista to become a free agent, which led to my quick stroll down memory lane. But I never know what to wear. I was...
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Items and questions

Items and questions
So when is Cliff Lee going to start dialing it up for the postseason? On my list of dream jobs, I'm adding "Cliff Lee's agent." To make room, I'm removing "Aubrey Huff's towel boy." Again, we're onto something here: Name your ideal sports job, and one that you'd find least appealing. I no longer have any interest in airbrushing Brett Favre's photos. Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star reports that Zack Greinke has until after the World Series to notify the Royals about the...
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