masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles haven’t named a replacement for Ned Rice, formerly their director of major league administration who accepted a job as assistant general manager in Philadelphia. It appears that they will stay inside the organization, though nothing is final.
Rice’s loss is a big one for the front office.
What are the chances that free agent outfielder/first baseman Steve Pearce follows Rice to Philadelphia?
The Orioles could reach out to Pearce later in the month, since he’s a favorite of…

The Orioles haven’t named a replacement for Ned Rice, formerly their director of major league administration who accepted a job as assistant general manager in Philadelphia. It appears that they will stay inside the organization, though nothing is final.

Rice’s loss is a big one for the front office.

What are the chances that free agent outfielder/first baseman Steve Pearce follows Rice to Philadelphia?

The Orioles could reach out to Pearce later in the month, since he’s a favorite of manager Buck Showalter. He’s naturally looking for a multi-year deal – he wasn’t going into free agency hoping to score only one – but the market has been slow to develop.

While we continue to talk about the Orioles’ pursuit of a left-handed hitter, another outfielder and a starting pitcher, it’s worth noting that they’d also like to bring in another reliever.

McFarland-Throws-Gray-Sidebar.jpgThere have been discussions about adding a left-hander despite having Zach Britton, Brian Matusz, T.J. McFarland, Chris Jones, Chris Lee and C.J. Riefenhauser on the 40-man roster.

Antonio Bastardo remains on the market and he’s got a few supporters in the organization. Tony Sipp was viewed as a great fit, but he re-signed with the Astros.

Unless there’s an injury or a trade, the bullpen would appear to have only one opening. You can pencil in Britton, Matusz, Darren O’Day, Brad Brach, Mychal Givens and Dylan Bundy, who’s out of options. Givens has options, which potentially could free up a spot, but he also happens to be really good.

Showalter likes having McFarland as an innings-eater backing up the right-handed starters, someone who doesn’t need much rest between appearances.

The minicamp roster that I passed along yesterday was adjusted multiple times before being set. Jeff Beliveau’s shoulder surgery guaranteed him a spot on it. The Orioles need to check on his recovery.

The Orioles still haven’t announced that they signed Beliveau and outfielder Xavier Avery to minor league deals. They most likely will send out one release with a bunch of names, and they also need to pass along their camp roster for spring training.

The Orioles also haven’t announced their minor league coaching staffs for 2016. They waited until February last year.

We already know that Matt Merullo won’t return as manager of the Gulf Coast League team, Calvin Pickering won’t return as hitting coach at short-season Single-A Aberdeen and Paco Figueroa won’t return as hitting coach at Single-A Frederick.

Merullo and Pickering didn’t have their contracts renewed. Figueroa accepted a job with the Dodgers as a minor league hitting coordinator.

I’ve heard lots of rumblings about Double-A Bowie hitting coach Keith Bodie moving down to Frederick.

Update: Rice’s exact title with the Phillies is senior director of baseball operations.

ESPN’s Buster Olney confirmed this morning that the Orioles are talking to Bastardo’s agent.