masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe news that bullpen coach Dom Chiti is returning to the Braves is unsettling to an organization that values his work and his relationship with the pitchers on the staff. Not only the relievers. All of the pitchers.
Losing pitching coach Dave Wallace is a big blow, but at least the Orioles were braced for it. And they held out hope that he’d remain with them in a different capacity that allowed him to spend more time with his family. That ship also sailed.
The immediate reaction on Twitter…

The news that bullpen coach Dom Chiti is returning to the Braves is unsettling to an organization that values his work and his relationship with the pitchers on the staff. Not only the relievers. All of the pitchers.

Losing pitching coach Dave Wallace is a big blow, but at least the Orioles were braced for it. And they held out hope that he’d remain with them in a different capacity that allowed him to spend more time with his family. That ship also sailed.

The immediate reaction on Twitter was, “So much for Wallace retiring,” as if something shady was going on here. One follower used the word “shady.” I don’t know whether he’s slim.

(Anyone get the reference?)

Let me repeat that Wallace retired from coaching at the major league level. He isn’t taking a job with the Braves to serve as a pitching coach. This isn’t a lateral move. He’s going to serve as a roving instructor and an advisor, giving him a more flexible schedule and fewer days on the road.

Wallace-Orioles-Hoodie-Sidebar.jpgThe Braves are expected to announce today that Wallace and Chiti are returning to their organization. Chiti won’t comment until it’s official.

He wasn’t looking for the exit at Camden Yards. He loved being with the Orioles. But his contract expired on Oct. 31 and the Braves, an organization that offers a comfort zone, immediately reached out to him.

Chiti’s relationship with Braves president of baseball operations John Hart goes back 25 years. He might not have made this move with any other team, but the Orioles hadn’t contacted him regarding a new contract and he saw an opportunity.

Chiti has a large skill set in baseball. The ink hadn’t dried on his Orioles contract in 2014 and I was already hearing about his value as a coach, scout and someone with contacts that could help with international signings. Getting Wallace and Chiti here was a major score.

* Former Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell remains a possible successor to Wallace in Baltimore. The Orioles are doing their homework on him, and that includes contacting Chiti, since they worked together in Atlanta.

Easily forgotten is that McDowell pitched his last major league game with the Orioles on Aug. 14, 1996 against the Brewers at Camden Yards before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. He signed with the White Sox as a free agent, but needed another shoulder procedure and retired.

McDowell was 1-1 with a 4.25 ERA in 41 appearances with the Orioles. He gave up four runs and three hits without retiring a batter on July 4 against the Red Sox and five runs and four hits in two-thirds of an inning on Aug. 4 in a 14-2 loss in Cleveland. But he also did some good stuff.

* Dexter Fowler led off last night’s Game 7 of the World Series, and it was one for the ages, with a home run to center field. He also singled twice.

I guess he made the right decision to stay with the Cubs.

I just wish he hadn’t given the impression in spring training that he was signing with the Orioles. It would have saved me a lot of grief. And again, it’s all about me.

One more time: I got confirmation that the Orioles reached agreement with Fowler on a three-year, $33 million deal. Soon after, multiple outlets offered up the same confirmation. ESPN.com was a minute behind me at the most, and only because I swung into a gas station near my hotel to tweet the news.

Center fielder Adam Jones told reporters that he received a text from Fowler saying the outfielder was headed to Sarasota. I had a team official text me that Fowler was expected at the complex later in the afternoon to take his physical. What happened after that may remain a mystery.

Fowler would have been a tremendous asset to the Orioles as a right fielder and leadoff hitter. Mark Trumbo could have led the majors in home runs as the primary designated hitter. I’m fairly confident that the Orioles wouldn’t have posted a .298 on-base percentage in the second half.

Fowler is on the verge of again entering the free agent market. The Orioles retain interest, from what I’ve gleaned, but the Cubs could make a qualifying offer that would force a team signing him to surrender a draft pick. It’s pretty clear that he’d prefer staying with them and he wants to play center field, not right field in the American League East.

If Fowler is a free agent and the Orioles reach agreement, I won’t believe it until he’s hugging his new teammates in the clubhouse or shagging fly balls on the Camden Yards replica field in Sarasota.

I may insist on being present for the physical.

Turn and cough up what really happened last spring.

* Because I’ve been asked, Chris Davis still hasn’t undergone surgery on his left hand. He had an MRI recently and I’m told there was “a little more there,” but nothing that warranted a procedure or raised doubts about his availability next spring.

Davis just needs to let the hand fully heal. This would be the ideal time to do it. Hide his quarters so he isn’t tempted to go to the batting cage.

Update: The Braves confirmed the hiring of Chiti as director of pitching and Wallace as special assistant to pitching.