Roch Kubatko

Remembering a friend, colleague and mentor

December 27, 2015, 7:48am

Orioles

Remembering a friend, colleague and mentor

My introduction to Joe Strauss came in 1997 on the workout day before the Orioles' opener at Camden Yards. We joined the beat at The Baltimore Sun around the same time - Strauss coming from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, me moving up from the small colleges. Joe extended his hand and praised my work from my first spring training, saying he never would have known that I hadn't been "a ball writer." It wasn't until much later that I'd understand and appreciate the magnitude of that...

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Christian Walker staying in shape and sizing up his chances with Orioles

December 25, 2015, 8:11am

Orioles

While the rest of us are gorging on holiday treats and digging out our stretchy pants from the bottom of the closet, first baseman Christian Walker is probably counting his calories along with his blessings. Walker, 24, showed up at FanFest declaring himself to be in the best shape of his life, a statement normally reserved for the first few days of spring training. He's never appeared soft, but now he's never felt better. "Just really cleaning up what I've been eating," Walker said. "I...

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Leftovers for breakfast

December 24, 2015, 6:26pm

Orioles

As we move closer to 2016, the Orioles still aren't sure who's batting leadoff for them on opening day, a game that marks the major league debuts of Korean outfielder Hyun Soo Kim and first baseman Byung Ho Park. How convenient that the Twins visit Camden Yards for the first series. Manny Machado hit atop the order in 111 games this year, but the Orioles would like to move him down and take better advantage of his run-producing skills. Kim, signed to a two-year, $7 million deal on Wednesday,...

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The "Vanimal" wants to attack hitters in Orioles' rotation

December 24, 2015, 11:08am

Orioles

Vance Worley said he's just looking for a fresh start. I guess he's keeping the hairstyle, black-rimmed glasses and funny nickname. Worley is a bit of a character. We don't know yet whether he's going to be part of the rotation or bullpen. His status could be determined by other moves made before pitchers and catchers report to spring training. The Orioles claimed Worley off waivers from the Pirates knowing that he'd started and pitched out of the bullpen, offering them choices if he...

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Who's the next left-handed hitter coming to the Orioles?

December 24, 2015, 10:15am

Orioles

Merry Christmas to everyone who observes the holiday. I hope your stockings are stuffed, your chestnuts are roasted, your lights are blinking only if you want them to and your credit card bill is lost in the mail. The Orioles shopped early and picked up Korean outfielder Hyun Soo Kim. No assembly required, though I started to wonder as the days passed without any word on his physical. I'm wondering how much we can read into the Orioles' desire to sign another left-handed hitter. When I asked...

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'Tis the season for non-update updates

December 24, 2015, 7:51am

Orioles

Santa Claus arrived early today, which leaves me perplexed. I don't have a chimney and I haven't left the house all day. How did this happen? Note to the bearded one: Don't scarf all the Double Stuf Oreos, especially after going into the pantry to get them. If they're not on a plate in the living room next to a glass of milk, they're not for you. One box was marked "non-update updates," which hadn't been on my list. I opened it anyway and found the following: * The warehouse is closed...

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Miguel Gonzalez says he's healthy and ready to put the 2015 season behind him

December 23, 2015, 6:14pm

Orioles

Miguel Gonzalez says he's healthy and ready to put the 2015 season behind him

Isn't it nice to wake up and not wonder if the Orioles will announce the Hyun Soo Kim signing or whether he failed the physical or whether his name is spelled correctly? We're told to lose the hyphen and capitalize the "S" in Soo. Who am I to argue? Kim never was in real danger of failing his physical, though I understand why some of you experienced Grant Balfour flashbacks. I don't flinch at them because it's a reminder that I broke that story. Not a lot of fun, but still a...

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Orioles lose pitcher Tim Berry on waiver claim

December 23, 2015, 12:36pm

Orioles

The Orioles reduced their 40-man roster to 39 players by exposing left-hander Tim Berry to waivers and losing him on a claim by the Marlins. In the blink of an eye, the Orioles learned today that they surrendered Berry to the Marlins, infielder Rey Navarro to the Angels and left-hander Edgar Olmos to the Cubs. I erroneously tweeted this afternoon that the Marlins claimed Olmos before I quickly made the correction. I knew Miami took one of the Orioles' left-handers. I just had the wrong...

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Hyun Soo Kim and Dan Duquette talk about today's signing

December 23, 2015, 10:18am

Orioles

Hyun Soo Kim and Dan Duquette talk about today's signing

The Orioles created space for outfielder Hyun Soo Kim on their 40-man roster by designating pitcher Edgar Olmos for assignment, and the Cubs claimed the left-hander off waivers. The Orioles claimed Olmos from the Cubs on Dec. 10, another example of baseball's circle of life. Kim will wear No. 25 for the Orioles, in case you want to pick up a jersey. He pronounces his first name "Heeyuhn," so hold the hon puns. "He's excelled in international competition," said executive vice president Dan...

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Orioles still in arms race as holidays approach

December 22, 2015, 5:31pm

Orioles

In order to simplify things during the hot stove season, please allow me to introduce myself as the guy who constantly reminds everyone that the Orioles have reached out to or checked in on pretty much every second- and third-tier pitcher on the market. Anyone in need of a bounceback season due to injury or throwing like crap. You can just insert a different name into the tweets on your timelines. The Orioles want multiple arms - and not just on one body. They want a starter for the top half of...

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Struggling to fill gaps in the lineup and pitching staff

December 21, 2015, 2:18pm

Orioles

Struggling to fill gaps in the lineup and pitching staff

It was a slow news day yesterday when the final blog entry pertained to outfielder Xavier Avery. I'm fine with the signing because it brings an element of speed into the organization and it's a minor league deal. The Orioles need to fill out the roster at Triple-A Norfolk and there's nothing wrong with taking a look at him in spring training. It just isn't an impact signing and it has nothing to do with Hyun-soo Kim's physical. I guess we're easing into the holidays. If the Chris Davis...

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Orioles sign Xavier Avery to minor league deal

December 21, 2015, 6:45am

Orioles

The Orioles continue seeking ways to improve their organizational depth while also planning a reunion of sorts. A club official confirmed today that the Orioles signed outfielder Xavier Avery to a minor league contract. It's assumed that the deal includes an invitation to spring training. Avery was a second-round pick by the Orioles in the 2008 draft, one spot before they selected L.J. Hoes. Both players have returned to the organization, with Hoes coming last month in a trade with the...

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Leftovers for breakfast (updated)

December 20, 2015, 10:55am

Orioles

Is today the day that the Orioles announce the Hyun-soo Kim signing? I'm no longer making predictions on news releases and conference calls, but I'm expecting the two-year deal to become official today. I've been rearranging my schedule since Friday in anticipation. Who needs Christmas presents anyway? And those holiday parties are vastly overrated. Kim was supposed to fly back to Korea early this week. Let's get this done. * The Orioles have expressed interest in Bronson Arroyo, according...

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Wallace on Tillman, Gonzalez, Gausman and more

December 19, 2015, 12:20pm

Orioles

Wallace on Tillman, Gonzalez, Gausman and more

No matter what the Orioles do with their rotation, whether it's tapping into the trade or free agent markets, they're highly dependent on bounceback seasons from Chris Tillman and Miguel Gonzalez and a major leap forward by Kevin Gausman. While meeting with reporters last weekend at FanFest, pitching coach Dave Wallace tried to explain the drop off in effectiveness from Tillman and Gonzalez. He tried to shed some light on why Tillman's ERA rose from 3.34 to 4.99 and his WHIP jumped from...

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More on Orioles' interest in Gallardo and Kazmir

December 18, 2015, 5:48pm

Orioles

While wondering if the Nationals will try to block Jonathan Papelbon from their spring training facility ... Michael Cuddyer is following me on Twitter. Is that just random or should I read anything into it? Hyun-soo Kim's two-year deal with the Orioles may become official later today, though it could take until Monday morning. The press conference that follows will offer the media a chance to learn more about the Korean outfielder and gauge whether his interpreter will be useful in the...

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Blue Jays claim Junior Lake off waivers

December 18, 2015, 10:22am

Orioles

At least for now, outfielder Junior Lake will stay in the American League East. The Blue Jays have claimed Lake off waivers from the Orioles, who designated him for assignment on Dec. 10. An Orioles official confirmed the transaction, which was reported by 670thescore.com. Lake appeared in eight games with the Orioles and went 3-for-22 with three doubles and two runs scored. He batted .224/.274/.345 in 21 games with the Cubs before the Orioles acquired him on July 31 for reliever Tommy...

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Outfielder Hyun Soo Kim passes physical to finalize two-year deal

December 18, 2015, 7:58am

Orioles

Outfielder Hyun Soo Kim passes physical to finalize two-year deal

The Orioles' deal with Korean outfielder Hyun Soo Kim became official today after he passed a physical and signed his new contract. We finally have Kim closure. Kim will receive $7 million divided evenly over the next two seasons as the latest international signing under executive vice president Dan Duquette. The Orioles wanted to introduce Kim to the media in a press conference at Camden Yards, but it's too late with the holidays upon us. He's going back to Korea, where he's getting...

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Orioles and Boras continue talks regarding Davis

December 17, 2015, 6:46pm

Orioles

Outfielder Hyun-soo Kim is scheduled to complete his physical this morning and the Orioles could announce his signing later today. As usual, it depends on how quickly they gather the results. But there don't appear to be any glitches or concerns up to this point. The process shouldn't drag out as it did for reliever Darren O'Day, who attended a press conference eight days after agreeing to terms. The Orioles' pursuit of another left-handed bat keeps bringing them back to first baseman Chris...

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Notes on Chen, Davis and the spring training schedule

December 17, 2015, 8:39am

Orioles

Notes on Chen, Davis and the spring training schedule

As the free agent market opened for business following the World Series, left-hander Wei-Yin Chen was projected by various outlets to land a contract covering a minimum of four years. The Orioles never were considered serious players for him, in large part because they figured he could squeeze a fifth year out of a team. I've heard that Chen's representative, Scott Boras, is seeking a five-year contract totaling $100 million. Check some of the other deals for starting pitchers this winter and...

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Wondering what's next for Orioles after Kim agreement

December 16, 2015, 5:54pm

Orioles

With the Orioles reaching an agreement yesterday on a two-year, $7 million contract with Hyun-soo Kim, the next question is how the signing will impact other moves. I'll get the first concern out of the way. The Orioles aren't tapped out. Committing $7 million to Kim, who turns 28 in January, leaves plenty of cash for another hitter and a starting pitcher. First baseman Chris Davis remains in play with Kim expected to earn $3.5 million next season. They can afford another outfielder and/or a...