masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgWhile the Nationals continue their search for a new manager, I’ll point out that Cal Ripken Jr. still hasn’t been contacted about interviewing for the job and he isn’t sitting by the phone waiting for a call.
The Nats seem to bring in a new candidate every day, but I’ve heard that Ripken doesn’t expect to join them. If his name is linked to the team, it’s nothing more than speculation by fans and media, or maybe just wishful thinking.
Nothing against a good rumor, but facts do tend to get…

While the Nationals continue their search for a new manager, I’ll point out that Cal Ripken Jr. still hasn’t been contacted about interviewing for the job and he isn’t sitting by the phone waiting for a call.

The Nats seem to bring in a new candidate every day, but I’ve heard that Ripken doesn’t expect to join them. If his name is linked to the team, it’s nothing more than speculation by fans and media, or maybe just wishful thinking.

Nothing against a good rumor, but facts do tend to get in the way.

If Ripken could create his own position in an organization, I sense that his first choice would be team president. He’d have a hand in personnel moves, but also tend to the business side, which would be playing to one of his strengths. He wouldn’t be bogged down by daily calls to and from rival executives, which is why you’d place a general manager below him.

Ripken also is intrigued by the idea of managing. It’s just not going to happen in Washington unless there’s a sudden change that no one is anticipating.

Despite the occasional suggestions and pleas from fans, Ripken isn’t interested in a coaching position. I’ve written it many times. And he’s not going to manage in the minors and work his way up the ladder. Other former players are being hired without previous experience, Scott Servais being the latest example in Seattle.

* Angels assistant general manager Matt Klentak reportedly is a finalist for the GM job in Philadelphia under new team president Andy MacPhail. It would be natural pairing, since they worked together in the Orioles front office.

MacPhail hired Klentak as director of baseball operations in 2008. Klentak took the Angels job three years later.

Klentak was one of those behind-the-scenes guys with the Orioles, valued for his background in analytics. He would blend nicely in the wave of young Ivy League executives who are dotting the baseball landscape.

* Dylan Bundy will wait until Monday before reporting to the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League.

Bundy continues to throw in Sarasota without experiencing any discomfort in his right shoulder.

The AFL season ends on Nov. 19, providing Bundy with ample opportunities to face live hitters in game conditions.

jason garcia profile close.jpg* Jason Garcia has thrown four scoreless innings in two starts in the Arizona Fall League. He’s walked two and struck out eight.

Garcia’s fastball was topping out at 97 mph in the first inning yesterday, according to ESPN.com’s Keith Law. Law also tweeted that Garcia exhibited a “plus slider.”

The Orioles still envision Garcia as a multi-inning reliever despite his starter status with Peoria.

* Rather than hire a replacement for Rudy Arias, formerly a bullpen catcher and batting practice pitcher, the Orioles apparently will adjust Einar Diaz’s in-game role with the club.

A team official told me earlier this week that the Orioles would “kind of” bring in a replacement for Arias, whose contract wasn’t renewed. That was code for Diaz being an in-house solution and moving to the bullpen.

An official added yesterday that the Orioles could hire another assistant for hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh, as The Baltimore Sun reported.

I’m told that Coolbaugh should have significant input in the decision. The new hire could come from within or outside the organization.

My guess is outside.

Diaz currently is a seventh coach. As I’ve written, everyone on the staff is returning in 2016.

* Part of the Orioles’ offseason business centers on crafting their minor league rosters and choosing which players receive invitations to spring training. Former Rule 5 pick Michael Almanzar was being discussed late in the season.

Almanzar batted .225/.270/.301 with 26 doubles, four home runs and 50 RBIs in 138 games with Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles re-signed him to a minor league deal in November 2014.

“They were really impressed with Almanzar this year, the way he went about his business, improvements that he made,” said manager Buck Showalter.

Shameless plug alert: I’m on “Wall to Wall Baseball” today from noon-2 p.m. on MASN.