Are the Orioles moving away from Gallardo?

Are the Orioles moving away from Gallardo?
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...

Leftovers from the press conference

Leftovers from the press conference
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...

Hearing from Chris Davis and Scott Boras

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...

Former Oriole Steve Pearce agrees to terms with Rays

Former Oriole Steve Pearce agrees to terms with Rays
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...

Chris Davis signing is official

Chris Davis signing is official
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...

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

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...

Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
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...

More on Chris Davis' pending physical

More on Chris Davis' pending physical
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...

Orioles minor league pitcher Zack Dodson suspended

Orioles minor league pitcher Zack Dodson suspended
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...

Times announced for Orioles regular season games

Times announced for Orioles regular season games
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...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
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...

What does the Davis signing mean to Walker and Mancini?

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...

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

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...

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

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...

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

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

Thoughts on Fowler, Fister, Cespedes and remaining arbitration eligibles

Thoughts on Fowler, Fister, Cespedes and remaining arbitration eligibles
This is the time of year when the Orioles are linked to just about every free agent on the market, no matter the position or potential cost. The speculation intensifies if the player actually matches a need. The Orioles continue their search for an outfielder, with right field the preference but not necessarily a requirement. Though Hyun Soo Kim projects more as a left fielder due to his arm, the club doesn't want to limit it's choices by making that decision in January. Dexter Fowler has...

Gonzalez avoids arbitration (O's exchange figures with Britton, Matusz)

Gonzalez avoids arbitration (O's exchange figures with Britton, Matusz)
The Orioles are down to two unsigned arbitration-eligible players. Pitcher Miguel Gonzalez has agreed to a $5.1 million deal. He made $3.275 million last season while going 9-12 with a 4.91 ERA and 1.396 WHIP in 26 starts over 144 2/3 innings. Gonzalez made two stops on the disabled list with groin and shoulder injuries. He's healthy now and hoping for a bounceback season. Closer Zach Britton and left-hander Brian Matusz haven't agreed to terms. Britton's agent, Scott Boras, will submit a...

Chris Tillman and Ryan Flaherty agree to 2016 deals (and Manny Machado)

Chris Tillman and Ryan Flaherty agree to 2016 deals (and Manny Machado)
The Orioles have reached agreements with starter Chris Tillman and infielder Ryan Flaherty on contracts for the 2016 season. Tillman receives a raise from $4.315 million to $6.225 million. His deal also includes, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman. Flaherty receives $1.5 million after making $1.075 million last season. As of this filing, the Orioles haven't reached agreements with their four remaining arbitration-eligible players - third baseman Manny Machado, closer Zach Britton, reliever...

More on arbitration eligibles, interest in Kendrick and Showalter quotes

More on arbitration eligibles, interest in Kendrick and Showalter quotes
The Orioles and their six unsigned arbitration-eligible players will exchange salary figures today if agreements can't be reached on contracts for the upcoming season. As I say every year, it's a whole lot of wasted reporting energy. The players are under team control. It's just a matter of determining how much they're going to be paid in 2016. Third baseman Manny Machado is the most interesting case because he's due a huge raise in his first year of eligibility after making $548,000 last...

Orioles make offer to Yoenis Cespedes (Brach agrees to terms)

Orioles make offer to Yoenis Cespedes (Brach agrees to terms)
While first baseman Chris Davis remains on the free agent market, the Orioles appear to be focused on Yoenis Cespedes as a potential replacement in the middle of the lineup. The Orioles have made an offer to Cespedes, according to an industry source. No deal is imminent, however, and the market continues to develop. Cespedes hit .291 and posted career highs with 35 home runs and 105 RBIs last season for the Tigers and Mets. He won a Gold Glove for playing left field in the American League,...