Roch Kubatko

Camden Yards remains atop the rankings

October 16, 2015, 10:16am

Orioles

No matter how many years pass, Camden Yards continues to age like a fine wine or Jim Palmer. Stadium Journey released its annual rankings of all 30 major league baseball stadiums. The top 10 reads as follows: 1. Oriole Park at Camden Yards - Baltimore Orioles 2. PNC Park - Pittsburgh Pirates 3. Busch Stadium - St. Louis Cardinals 4. Fenway Park - Boston Red Sox 5. Wrigley Field - Chicago Cubs 6. Chase Field - Arizona Diamondbacks 7. Target Field - Minnesota Twins 8. Coors Field - Colorado...

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Remembering Jose Bautista's brief stay with the Orioles

October 15, 2015, 6:02pm

Orioles

Dylan Bundy has another bullpen session today in Sarasota. He's up to 30 pitches, an increase of 10 from his starting point, and is mixing in his changeup with his fastball. Bundy continues to make progress and the Orioles remain encouraged. Before Jose Bautista became a fastball-crushing, bat-flipping, opponent-baiting, All-Star outfielder for the Blue Jays, he was a quiet, skinny Rule 5 infielder breaking into the majors with the Orioles and collecting splinters on the bench. If you blinked,...

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Updating Orioles in the AFL

October 15, 2015, 3:47pm

Orioles

Jason Garcia struck out five batters over two scoreless innings today while starting for Peoria in the Arizona Fall League. Garcia allowed one hit and walked a batter in the Javelinas' 9-7 loss to Salt River. He threw 23 of his 39 pitches for strikes. Though he made the start today, Garcia will enter spring training next year as a reliever. The Orioles want him to continue developing in that role. Garcia posted a 2.18 ERA in 13 appearances in the second half, with five earned runs allowed in...

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Another look at 40-man roster and arbitration-eligibles (with FanFest note)

October 14, 2015, 4:58pm

Orioles

Another look at 40-man roster and arbitration-eligibles (with FanFest note)

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette didn't bite yesterday when I asked whether he's attempted to re-sign any of his pending free agents before they hit the open market. "We're working on our offseason plans," he replied. That's a pretty broad brush. We'll find out whether Duquette can get the coaches under contract for 2016. There's a growing sense, as I wrote yesterday, that they may only go six for seven. It speaks volumes that the coaches are in demand. They're viewed...

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Quick update on Orioles coaching staff (updated)

October 14, 2015, 12:22pm

Orioles

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed today that the club has extended contract offers to every coach on the staff for the 2016 season. Duquette added that he hopes to "get it resolved this week." Agreements need to be reached with bench coach John Russell, first base coach Wayne Kirby, third base coach Bobby Dickerson, pitching coach Dave Wallace, bullpen coach Dom Chiti, hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh and extra coach Einar Diaz. "We've been talking to the coaches and...

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Because You Asked - With A Vengeance

October 13, 2015, 7:14pm

Orioles

As you may have noticed, I don't own the stereotypical mailbag, where I take original questions from fans. That would be boring. Much better to heap on the sarcasm while constantly repeating myself. Nothing wrong with having a little fun, especially during a lull in the activity. You know the drill. You ask, I answer, you ask again, I answer again. And I blame the repetition for my alcohol consumption. Got a favorite sequel? I may be running out of names. Heck, I may have used the same one in...

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Checking on minor league free agents (updated)

October 13, 2015, 9:03am

Orioles

Checking on minor league free agents (updated)

As the Orioles were closing out their season, winning five straight to finish at .500 for only the second time in franchise history, they already were plotting for ways to improve in 2016. Various lists were compiled as team executives gathered with manager Buck Showalter. Pending major league, minor league and international free agents were discussed, debated and either kept on the club's radar or discarded. Baseball America has revealed the first wave of minor league players who elected free...

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Wondering about the composition of the bullpen in 2016

October 12, 2015, 5:46pm

Orioles

Wondering about the composition of the bullpen in 2016

It's apparently safe for me to resurrect my visions of an epic Royals-Blue Jays matchup in the American League Championship Series. Reports of their demise were greatly exaggerated. Love 'em or hate 'em - and I know where most of you stand on the topic - these are two special teams. It's hard to imagine the series ending in fewer than seven games. Which opponent is more challenged to bounce back on the road in Game 5 - the one that blew a four-run lead in the eighth inning (Astros) or the...

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Sports Legends Museum searching for new home

October 12, 2015, 10:37am

Orioles

Sports Legends Museum searching for new home

Unable to reach an agreement on a new lease, the Sports Legends Museum is closing its doors immediately and formulating plans to relocate. Following several weeks of negotiations, the board of directors of the Babe Ruth Birthplace Foundation today unanimously voted not to accept a counter offer from the Maryland Stadium Authority to renew its Sports Legends Museum lease at Camden Station. The museum has been a primary tenant since 2005. The board will begin "an immediate search" for a new...

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Adam Jones on Dariel Alvarez: "He just needs reps"

October 11, 2015, 6:44pm

Orioles

Adam Jones on Dariel Alvarez: "He just needs reps"

The Astros won yesterday and are one victory away from advancing to the American League Championship Series. The Rangers lost last night, but they're still one victory away from advancing to the ALCS. I spent most of September talking about an epic ALCS between the Blue Jays and Royals, unable to decide on a favorite. It may happen anyway, but the odds remain stacked against it. Meanwhile, Chase Utley is starting a new business venture for his post-baseball days. If your friends introduce you...

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Catching up on the catching situation (and other notes)

October 10, 2015, 6:55pm

Orioles

Catching up on the catching situation (and other notes)

Cal Ripken Jr. is attending today's Browns-Ravens game at M&T Bank Stadium. However, he won't be coaching either team next season. He may answer the phone if they call, but he's not actively searching for a job. I've decided to start killing rumors before they gain steam. As I've written numerous times, the Orioles still must decide whether to make catcher Matt Wieters the $15.8 million qualifying offer in order to obtain a compensatory draft pick if he signs with another team....

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More on the qualifying offer and the 2015 season

October 09, 2015, 6:28pm

Orioles

More on the qualifying offer and the 2015 season

The qualifying offer for free agents this winter reportedly has risen from $15.3 to $15.8 million, which is the amount that the Orioles will dangle in front of first baseman Chris Davis and left-hander Wei-Yin Chen. They haven't decided what to do about catcher Matt Wieters. No player has accepted the qualifying offer, which sets his salary for the upcoming season. Teams receive a compensation pick in the next draft if the player signs with another team. A qualifying offer can't be made to a...

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Updates on Dylan Bundy, Branden Kline and Brian Gonzalez

October 09, 2015, 11:34am

Orioles

Updates on Dylan Bundy, Branden Kline and Brian Gonzalez

Orioles pitching prospect Dylan Bundy threw another 20-pitch bullpen session today in Sarasota and continued to make significant progress. Bundy also threw 20 pitches on Wednesday, his first time on a mound since May in Trenton. The Orioles are limiting him to only fastballs before mixing in the changeup and breaking ball. Dr. James Andrews cleared Bundy last month to start a throwing program after he was shut down with discomfort caused by calcification in the Teres minor muscle behind his...

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This, that and the other

October 08, 2015, 5:03pm

Orioles

The Orioles will be searching for a starting pitcher this winter who fits at the top of their rotation. They don't figure to stay in the bidding for left-hander David Price, however, since he's going to break the bank into millions and millions of pieces. Yes, there seems to be mutual interest here, with Price liking the idea of pitching for the Orioles, from what I've heard. They're not bothered by his postseason record, but let's take a quick look at it. Price lost again yesterday in...

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Leftovers on Jake Arrieta, Rick Adair and Ron Johnson

October 07, 2015, 8:40pm

Orioles

Leftovers on Jake Arrieta, Rick Adair and Ron Johnson

Jake Arrieta threw a complete-game shutout last night to lead the Cubs to a 4-0 win over the Pirates in the National League wild card game. Of course he did. This guy can do no wrong. His stuff is nasty and he's got confidence oozing out of his pores. Arrieta always had his chest puffed out with the Orioles, but as one official noted, he came across as a guy trying too hard to mask his insecurities. He'd run into trouble in the first inning and the confidence melted away. You could see it...

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Former Orioles pitching coach Rick Adair talks about Jake Arrieta

October 07, 2015, 1:04pm

Orioles

Jake Arrieta takes the mound tonight and the knife turns. Orioles fans must cringe as Arrieta gets the assignment for the Cubs in the National League wild card game in Pittsburgh. He's 22-6 with a 1.77 ERA in 33 starts, with four complete games, three shutouts and a no-hitter. He's exactly what the Orioles thought he would become after drafting him in the fifth round in 2007 out of TCU. (Side note: The Orioles took right-hander Tim Bascom in the fourth round out of Central Florida because...

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J.J. Hardy on his shoulder injury

October 06, 2015, 6:54pm

Orioles

As Colby Rasmus was rounding the bases last night following his home run for the Astros in the American League wild card game, did anyone reflect back on his negotiations with the Orioles over the winter? Rasmus came very close to signing with the Orioles, who thought they had an agreement on a one-year deal that guaranteed around $7 million. Then, agent Casey Close decided to keep looking and landed a deal with the Astros for $8 million. Close threw a better curve than anyone on the Orioles...

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Medical update on Brian Matusz

October 06, 2015, 10:48am

Orioles

Orioles reliever Brian Matusz underwent a successful medical procedure yesterday on his right shoulder and has returned home to Arizona. Matusz stayed back in Baltimore and had arthroscopic surgery to repair the AC joint, allowing him to get a head start on his recovery. Ravens physician Dr. Leigh Ann Curl also cleaned out about a centimeter worth of arthritic bone in the shoulder. "Everything went great and just as planned. On the road to recovery," Matusz said in a text message. "From my...

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More thoughts on the Duquette/Showalter news conference

October 05, 2015, 8:30pm

Orioles

More thoughts on the Duquette/Showalter news conference

I'm happy to report that the end of the 2015 season hasn't diluted the passion here. Executive vice president Dan Duquette's comments yesterday at an exit press conference stirred the masses. A few of you were shaken. Here's what I took out of the 30-minute session with Duquette and manager Buck Showalter: * The Orioles want to re-sign Chris Davis. Duquette said it, Showalter said it, managing partner Peter G. Angelos said it. But stating the intention isn't the same as offering a...

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Dan Duquette on the 2015 season and what lies ahead

October 05, 2015, 2:47pm

Orioles

Dan Duquette on the 2015 season and what lies ahead

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter met with the media today for about 30 minutes to recap the 2015 season and share some thoughts on improvements needed to get back into the playoffs. It's done every year after the final game. The topics also included the six pending free agents, the coaching staff and the possibility of negotiating an extension with third baseman Manny Machado. Here are some comments from Duquette. Check Steve Melewski's blog for...