Roch Kubatko

Still searching for a starter

January 25, 2016, 11:54am

Orioles

There are 23 more days before Orioles pitchers and catchers officially report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, though the number of early arrivals seems to grow every year. Twenty-three more days and we still don't know who's replacing Wei-Yin Chen in the rotation. If the season started today, the Orioles would make a fortune on coffee and hot chocolate sales. Also, I'd have to project Vance Worley as the fifth starter based only on my God-given right to guess along with...

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David Lough signs with Phillies (and other notes)

January 25, 2016, 10:10am

Orioles

David Lough signs with Phillies (and other notes)

Former Orioles outfielder David Lough has signed a minor league deal with the Phillies that includes an invitation to spring training. The club made the announcement this afternoon. The Phillies front office is loaded with former Orioles executives, including newly hired senior director of baseball operations Ned Rice. The Orioles non-tendered Lough on Dec. 2 rather than offer him a contract for the 2016 season. He immediately became a free agent. Lough, who turned 30 this month, made $525,500...

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Dylan Bundy on his first bullpen session (with Chen note)

January 24, 2016, 5:09pm

Orioles

Dylan Bundy on his first bullpen session (with Chen note)

Did everyone dig out of the blizzard and find their cars and children? I wrote on Thursday that Dylan Bundy threw his first bullpen session last week. Full mound, 20 fastballs and no pain in his right shoulder or forearm. Bundy had been throwing off flat ground from 150 feet before moving to a half-mound at the minicamp and firing 15 fastballs. "Arm's healthy," Bundy said during his phone interview on the "Hot Stove Show" on 105.7 The Fan. "I just got on a mound this week for the first...

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This, that and the other

January 23, 2016, 10:44am

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter remained in Baltimore Friday morning after attending Chris Davis' press conference. He already was subjected to tornadoes in Dallas. Why not add a blizzard? When do the locusts arrive? Agent Scott Boras stayed in Baltimore following the presser. He was spotted downtown. No idea whether he flew out in the morning. I'm trying to be a fountain of information, but it keeps freezing. * Executive vice president Dan Duquette repeated on MLB Network's "High Heat"...

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Because You Asked - Seventh Inning Fetch

January 22, 2016, 8:18am

Orioles

Because You Asked - Seventh Inning Fetch

It's sequel time here at School of Roch, as I deliver the latest installment of "Because You Asked." The question keep pouring in and I do my best to answer them as many times as humanly possible. I'm giving you one-stop shopping this morning, but we're out of milk and bread. Do the Orioles still have their offer on the table to Yoenis Cespedes? This one became outdated late last night after Cespedes agreed to a three-year, $75 million deal with the Mets that included an opt-out after one...

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Are the Orioles moving away from Gallardo?

January 22, 2016, 7:39am

Orioles

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette is reluctant to talk specifics with the local media when it pertains to free agents and potential trade partners. He sees no benefit in showing his hand to the rest of the industry. However, Duquette tends to be a little more forthcoming on MLB Network Radio, the latest example coming this morning. Speaking with former executives Jim Duquette (his cousin) and Jim Bowden, he basically took the Orioles out of the running for pitcher Yovani Gallardo...

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Leftovers from the press conference

January 21, 2016, 7:22pm

Orioles

What did we learn from last night's press conference inside the auxiliary clubhouse at Camden Yards? Chris Davis has a neatly trimmed beard and an adorable baby girl, Ella, who kept saying "cheese" after someone snapped a photo of her. Not during it, of course. Kids who are a few months shy of their second birthday don't care about timing. He also has a quotable agent, Scott Boras, who provided the line of the night when asked whether Davis had any other serious suitors besides the...

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Hearing from Chris Davis and Scott Boras

January 21, 2016, 4:08pm

Orioles

Hearing from Chris Davis and Scott Boras

As Chris Davis waited to learn whether the Orioles were serious about keeping him, his agent flew into Baltimore to meet with managing partner Peter Angelos and executive vice president Dan Duquette. Scott Boras made it clear that his client wanted to stay in Baltimore, that the team, city and ballpark were a perfect fit. He later joked that it might not be the best strategy for the representative of a free agent, but it worked out in the end. Everyone got what they wanted, with Davis agreeing...

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Former Oriole Steve Pearce agrees to terms with Rays

January 21, 2016, 8:58am

Orioles

The Orioles apparently will go 3-for-6 in keeping their free agents. Outfielder/first baseman Steve Pearce has agreed to terms with the Rays on a one-year deal, with sources confirming a Tampa Bay Tribune report. The contract is pending a physical. Matt Wieters accepted the Orioles' $15.8 million qualifying offer, reliever Darren O'Day signed a four-year, $31 million deal and first baseman Chris Davis agreed to terms on a seven-year, $161 million deal that should become official this...

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Chris Davis signing is official

January 21, 2016, 7:05am

Orioles

Major League Baseball's leader in home runs officially is coming back to the Orioles. First baseman Chris Davis passed his physical and signed his new contract, which covers seven years and guarantees him $161 million. A large man signs the biggest contract in franchise history. Run with it. The Orioles have scheduled a 7 p.m. press conference at Camden Yards, which will air live on MASN and 105.7 The Fan, to re-introduce Davis, 29, to the local media. He can fly back home to Dallas ahead of...

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The lineup and J.J. Hardy's place in it (with Davis update)

January 20, 2016, 1:39pm

Orioles

The lineup and J.J. Hardy's place in it (with Davis update)

The Orioles could make Chris Davis' signing official later today and schedule a press conference at Camden Yards, or we may hear nothing before Friday. That's the best I can do for an update. I'm still voting for any plan that allows me to avoid rush hour traffic on Friday as people flee the city in a snow panic. Update: The Orioles are hoping to announce Davis' signing this afternoon. Stay tuned. Davis gives the Orioles a much-needed left-handed bat and a feared hitter for the middle of...

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Leftovers for breakfast

January 19, 2016, 5:48pm

Orioles

Here are a few items to carry you through the morning between trips to the grocery store, where I was greeted yesterday by an Orioles fan who asked whether Chris Davis was going to cook dinner. The Orioles continue to search for another outfielder and a starting pitcher. There's more work to do following the agreement with Davis. "We're still looking around and seeing how we can improve our team," said executive vice president Dan Duquette. Asked whether he still believes he can find a...

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More on Chris Davis' pending physical

January 19, 2016, 1:07pm

Orioles

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis is flying into Baltimore tonight and will take his physical Wednesday and Thursday after agreeing to a seven-year, $161 million contract. With snow in the forecast this weekend, the Orioles are hoping to hold a press conference Thursday or early Friday. "That would be ideal," said executive vice president Dan Duquette. Orioles manager Buck Showalter is in Florida and said he's looking forward to getting back to Baltimore for the press conference. "If you...

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Orioles minor league pitcher Zack Dodson suspended

January 19, 2016, 10:24am

Orioles

Orioles minor league pitcher Zack Dodson has been suspended 100 games without pay for a third positive test for a drug of abuse, according to a press release from Major League Baseball. If you're not familiar with Dodson, 25, the Orioles signed him last month as a minor league free agent. The Pirates selected him in the fourth round of the 2009 draft out of Medina Valley (Texas) High School. Dodson spent seven seasons in the Pirates system, going 31-45 with a 4.23 ERA in 131 games, including...

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Times announced for Orioles regular season games

January 19, 2016, 8:54am

Orioles

The Orioles again will open and close their season with 3:05 p.m. games, according to the master schedule released earlier today by Major League Baseball. Opening day for the Orioles arrives on April 4 against the Twins at Camden Yards. The regular season concludes on Oct. 2 against the Yankees in the Bronx. This is the second consecutive year that MLB has arranged for every team to play at 3:05 p.m. on the final day in case playoff spots need to be determined. The times for the other games are...

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This, that and the other

January 18, 2016, 3:45pm

Orioles

The Orioles aren't expected to announce their new deal with first baseman Chris Davis until the end of the week. As always, patience is a virtue and a requirement. Davis must undergo a physical, which he should pass as soon as he's done powerlifting the team doctors. A player will come off the 40-man roster to create room for Davis. The Orioles could drop infielder Joey Terdoslavich, claimed off waivers from the Braves on Jan. 8. There's also catcher Fernando Pena, acquired from the Royals...

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What does the Davis signing mean to Walker and Mancini?

January 17, 2016, 11:05am

Orioles

What does the Davis signing mean to Walker and Mancini?

The Orioles don't intend to sign Chris Davis to a seven-year, $161 million deal to have him play right field or serve as the primary designated hitter. He's here to play first base, with the ability to move around in specific cases. As it now stands, Mark Trumbo figures to get most of his at-bats as the designated hitter. However, the Orioles still haven't figured out who's playing right field and they haven't explained how Davis' return is going to impact Trumbo. The subject is bound to...

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Alan Mills can relate to Jason Garcia's jump from Single-A to the majors

January 16, 2016, 5:00pm

Orioles

Alan Mills can relate to Jason Garcia's jump from Single-A to the majors

The questions keep pouring in regarding the Orioles' seven-year, $161 million deal with first baseman Chris Davis. Mostly how it may impact other moves. The Orioles aren't giving Yoenis Cespedes $90 million, let alone whatever figure he has in mind beyond what they're paying Davis. As I wrote yesterday, they'd be fine with a one-year deal if he's willing to go that route. ESPN's Buster Olney broke down the structure of Davis' contract, which includes $42 million in deferred money. Davis...

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Zach Britton on Chris Davis: "In all honesty, we really needed him back" (updated)

January 16, 2016, 7:51am

Orioles

Zach Britton on Chris Davis: "In all honesty, we really needed him back" (updated)

As news of Chris Davis' agreement with the Orioles broke early this morning, I was left to scramble for confirmation, more details and a better understanding of how the sides finally came together. I slept through a text message tipping me off about the agreement. So it's true: You snooze, you really do lose. The Orioles were ready to move on, turning their attention to free agent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. They kept insisting that their offer to Davis wouldn't change, but the total has...

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Orioles reach agreement with Chris Davis on seven-year deal (updated)

January 16, 2016, 3:35am

Orioles

Just as it appeared that the Orioles were moving away from Chris Davis, they reached agreement to keep the free-agent first baseman in Baltimore. A source confirmed this morning that Davis has agreed to terms with the Orioles following a lengthy period of stalled negotiations. The club had a seven-year, $150 million offer on the table that included deferred money and was unwilling to budge from it, but a source confirmed that Davis will receive $161 million over seven years. The deal is pending...