Roch Kubatko

Should Orioles pursue trade for Hanley Ramirez?

November 29, 2015, 6:44pm

Orioles

I sought your opinions yesterday on free agent outfielder Denard Span and the idea of having him play right field for the Orioles. Being the fickle sort, I'm moving on to another player. This one isn't a free agent. He isn't a plus defender. His contract makes the strongest stomachs dry heave. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Hanley Ramirez. There are conflicting reports on whether the Red Sox are trying to trade Ramirez, who turns 32 next month. The Boston Globe listed the Orioles among...

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Is Denard Span a fit in right field?

November 28, 2015, 7:16pm

Orioles

In exactly one week, I'll be boarding a flight to Nashville for the Winter Meetings and complaining loudly every step of the way. That's a lot of complaining when you factor in the number of steps from the front desk to the elevators and media workroom at the spacious Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. You're handed a map and wished good luck. Then you spend the next five days hopelessly lost. Forget about chasing rumors. I'll be preoccupied with searching for the lobby and my...

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Reheating a few holiday leftovers

November 27, 2015, 11:09am

Orioles

At what point do you concede that it's time to dispose of the Thanksgiving leftovers? When the cranberry sauce from the can loses its jiggle? When the white meat begins to resemble the dark meat? When the drumsticks limp to the trash can? How about when you're surprised to find yams in the fridge before realizing they're actually the mashed potatoes? Or when the last slice of pumpkin pie becomes a perfect match for the last slice of key lime pie? I'm thankful for a strong stomach and the...

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L.J. Hoes on trade: "It's like going home"

November 25, 2015, 1:53pm

Orioles

L.J. Hoes on trade: "It's like going home"

Let's get a few things straight about L.J. Hoes. He prefers L.J. to LJ, so this blog entry actually is a period piece. He shops at a Walmart in Fort Lauderdale, which is where he heard the news yesterday that the Orioles traded for him. And he's not afraid to show his emotions in public. "I'm very excited," Hoes said after being obtained from the Astros for cash considerations. "I was actually grocery shopping when I found out and I almost dropped everything I had in my cart. I started...

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Odds and ends on Chris Davis

November 25, 2015, 12:31pm

Orioles

No matter where I go, no matter what time of day or night, I'm challenged by friends and fans to place odds on the Orioles re-signing first baseman Chris Davis. When did I go from sportswriter to bookmaker? The best I can offer is this: The Orioles remain in the running for Davis. They aren't scared away by projections of six- and seven-year deals ranging from $144 million to $182 million. I wrote on Oct. 5 that managing partner Peter G. Angelos said it "remains his intention" to re-sign...

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Orioles bring back L.J. Hoes

November 25, 2015, 6:52am

Orioles

The Orioles' interest in reacquiring outfielder L.J. Hoes became a reality today. The Orioles have completed a trade with the Astros, bringing back their former third-round pick in exchange for cash considerations. Hoes is out of options and his addition required the Orioles to remove a player from the 40-man roster, which they filled up on Monday by protecting pitchers Chris Lee, Andrew Triggs and Parker Bridwell. I'm told that they designated infielder Andy Wilkins for assignment. The...

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Gausman excited for chance to stay in rotation in 2016

November 24, 2015, 5:12pm

Orioles

Gausman excited for chance to stay in rotation in 2016

The Orioles would need to make an abrupt turn in order to remove Kevin Gausman from their 2016 rotation plans. The type of turn where brakes are slammed, the wheel is cut, the vehicle ends up on two tires, coins fly out of the change compartment and you have lots of explaining to do in traffic court. Or so I've been told. Cover your ears and shield your eyes from any trade rumors that include Gausman, and that's sound advice in any year. The Orioles haven't put him on the table in the past...

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Orioles sign eight players to minor league contracts

November 24, 2015, 1:32pm

Orioles

The Orioles announced the signings of eight players to minor league contracts with invitations to spring training. Most of the agreements already have been reported, including the deal with Korean first baseman Ji-Man Choi, who spent the last five years in the Mariners organization. Also signed were right-handers Pedro Beato and Todd Redmond, left-handers Cesar Cabral and Ashur Tolliver, infielders Steve Tolleson and Ozzie Martinez, and catcher Audry Perez. Choi is the only player with no...

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Eye surgery enables Gausman to focus on pitching

November 24, 2015, 11:21am

Orioles

Eye surgery enables Gausman to focus on pitching

Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman can see clearly now and he's doing it without prescription glasses. He's regained his focus and his fashion sense. Gausman underwent LASIK surgery at the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute three days after the season ended. He's so happy with the results that he recommended it to teammate Darren O'Day. "They're one of the best places in the country to do it," said Gausman, who is back home in Baton Rouge, La. "I was kind of skeptical, just because any time...

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This, that and the other

November 23, 2015, 2:07pm

Orioles

The Orioles are expected to announce later today that they signed Korean first baseman Ji-Man Choi to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. I've been told that the club is waiting for "confirmation" following a report over the weekend by South Korean media outlet Ilgan Sports that the deal was done. Look for it to arrive today. Choi, a switch-hitter, will earn $650,000 if he makes the club, and his contract includes a possible $350,000 in incentives. He's a career...

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Orioles sign Tolleson to minor league deal (updated)

November 23, 2015, 1:23pm

Orioles

The Orioles signed infielder Steve Tolleson to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. A team official confirmed the move, which first appeared in Baseball America's minor league free agent tracker. I'm told that Tolleson actually signed a few weeks ago, but it must have slipped under the radar. He's always wanted to return to them and finally got his wish. Tolleson appeared in 29 games with the Orioles in 2012 and has always been a favorite of manager Buck Showalter,...

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Notes on Henry Urrutia and Buck Showalter's comments on MLB Network

November 23, 2015, 8:49am

Orioles

Notes on Henry Urrutia and Buck Showalter's comments on MLB Network

Orioles outfielder Henry Urrutia says he will begin playing again on Tuesday in the Venezuelan Winter League now that he's recovered from a virus that produced severe flu-like symptoms. Urrutia's last game for Leones del Caracas was on Wednesday, before he came down with a fever and felt pain throughout his body. Urrutia's 19-month-old son developed the same symptoms and was taken to the emergency room at a local hospital the following day. They're both doing fine now. You may recall that...

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Wondering about the bullpen's flexibility in 2016

November 22, 2015, 5:09pm

Orioles

Wondering about the bullpen's flexibility in 2016

One issue for the Orioles in 2015 involved a bullpen that didn't provide enough flexibility. Too many relievers without minor league options. Too many instances where the club was challenged to bring up a fresh arm. Tommy Hunter was shipped to the Cubs at the non-waiver deadline to free up a spot. It was a risky move for a team still in contention. A fan suggested Saturday on "Wall to Wall Baseball" on MASN that the Orioles could solve the problem by having seven good relievers, eliminating...

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Could the Orioles bring back Hoes? (plus other notes)

November 21, 2015, 5:09pm

Orioles

I wrote last month that the Orioles would have interest in bringing back outfielder L.J. Hoes if the Astros made him available. Well, the Astros designated Hoes for assignment on Friday to clear a spot on their 40-man roster. To update my earlier post, the Orioles still have interest in Hoes and I still relish the headline possibilities. The Orioles traded Hoes, minor league left-hander Josh Hader and a competitive balance pick to the Astros on July 31, 2013 for starter Bud Norris, who won 15...

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Hunter Harvey update and reports on Chris Lee, Andrew Triggs and Parker Bridwell

November 20, 2015, 1:48pm

Orioles

Hunter Harvey update and reports on Chris Lee, Andrew Triggs and Parker Bridwell

After being shut down in September due to discomfort in his right elbow, Orioles pitching prospect Hunter Harvey has been cleared to do some light throwing. Harvey is back home in North Carolina, but he figures to report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota later this winter. Dr. James Andrews recommended on Oct. 5 that Harvey rest for four to six weeks before resuming a throwing program. His diagnosis matched the one that came earlier from team orthopedist Dr. Michael Jacobs. Harvey...

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Orioles add Lee, Triggs and Bridwell to 40-man roster

November 20, 2015, 9:44am

Orioles

The Orioles purchased the contracts of left-hander Chris Lee and right-handers Andrew Triggs and Parker Bridwell from Double-A Bowie today, adding three pitchers to the 40-man roster and protecting them before the Rule 5 draft on Dec. 10 in Nashville. The roster is now full, but the Orioles can clear room prior to the Rule 5 draft. Count on it. They also can remove players to open spots for trade and free agent acquisitions. Today's deadline prevents other players from within the organization...

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More from Duquette, Machado's fourth-place finish and the 40-man roster

November 19, 2015, 3:42pm

Orioles

More from Duquette, Machado's fourth-place finish and the 40-man roster

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette didn't reveal much yesterday on "The Mid-Atlantic Sports Report" on MASN beyond confirming that the club remains interested in re-signing Chris Davis, Darren O'Day and Steve Pearce, three names that were floated during his interview. Is Duquette more or less confident now that he can retain Davis? "I don't know if I can handicap these things," he said. "Chris has had some good years in Baltimore and we like having him here. We're trying....

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Machado places fourth, Davis 14th in AL MVP balloting

November 19, 2015, 2:08pm

Orioles

Machado places fourth, Davis 14th in AL MVP balloting

Though the Orioles were shut out this year in the Baseball Writers' Association of America awards, third baseman Manny Machado and first baseman Chris Davis gained a measure of notice. Machado placed fourth tonight for Most Valuable Player in the American League, while Davis finished 14th. Machado received four third-place votes, 11 fourth, five fifth, one sixth, one seventh, one eighth, three ninth and one 10th for 158 total points. Davis received five seventh-place votes, two eighth, two...

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Notes on O'Day, AL MVP and more

November 18, 2015, 4:53pm

Orioles

The Tigers no longer appear to be in the running for free agent reliever Darren O'Day after acquiring closer Francisco Rodriguez yesterday from the Brewers. The more pressing question over here is whether the Orioles remain in the hunt. I received confirmation on the FOXSports.com report that O'Day is seeking a four-year deal in the $28-$36 million range. The Tigers don't seem inclined to pay closer money for a set-up man. The Orioles wouldn't do it last winter with left-hander Andrew...

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Orioles interested in Neil Walker

November 18, 2015, 11:49am

Orioles

I heard a few weeks ago that the Orioles had some interest in Pirates infielder Neil Walker and were checking whether he might be non-tendered. As it turns out, they took it a step further and engaged in trade talks during the general managers meetings in Boca Raton, Fla. I'm told that nothing came of it, with the Pirates apparently seeking more than the Orioles were willing to surrender and Walker figures to be tendered a contract as a Super Two in his final year before reaching free...