Roch Kubatko

Notes and quotes from today's press conference

December 15, 2015, 10:32am

Orioles

Notes and quotes from today's press conference

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said today that nothing has changed since Saturday regarding free agent first baseman Chris Davis. Duquette was responding to a question posed to him during the press conference for reliever Darren O'Day, who, I'm happy to report, had no problem buttoning his orange No. 56 jersey. Manager Buck Showalter also attended today's press conference before returning to his Dallas home. Duquette headed back to his office, where he will continue his...

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Caleb Joseph on Matt Wieters' return and more

December 15, 2015, 1:41am

Orioles

Caleb Joseph on Matt Wieters' return and more

The Darren O'Day signing didn't become official until last night, but at least it happened. For a while there, I thought it was going to make a nice stocking stuffer. At least we already know that Matt Wieters accepted the $15.8 million qualifying offer. There's no turning back and no animosity coming from his backup. Caleb Joseph wanted Wieters to stay with the Orioles and got his wish. He appreciated Wieters' heads-up phone call and reminded us at FanFest why he's such an unselfish and...

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O'Day deal is official

December 14, 2015, 3:18pm

Orioles

The Orioles' deal with reliever Darren O'Day finally is official. O'Day has passed his physical and signed a four-year, $31 million contract that includes $4 million in deferred payments and a limited no-trade clause. The sides reached agreement on the deal last Monday, but a few more details needed to be worked out and a physical needed to be set up. The Orioles were willing to offer a fourth year, which prevented O'Day from signing with the Nationals, their Beltway rivals who had more...

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J.J. Hardy's left shoulder is "good, strong" as he tries to rediscover power stroke

December 14, 2015, 11:27am

Orioles

J.J. Hardy's left shoulder is "good, strong" as he tries to rediscover power stroke

Brian Matusz, Dylan Bundy and J.J. Hardy offered up positive reports on their health during Saturday's FanFest at the Convention Center. I've passed along quotes from the two pitchers. Now, it's Hardy's turn. Hardy, 33, was hindered by an injury to his left shoulder that he sustained in an exhibition game. It took away his power, as Hardy was forced to "protect" the shoulder by not letting go with his top hand when fooled by a pitch. Limited extension led to limited production. Hardy...

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Brach on O'Day: "Darren's leadership is second to none"

December 13, 2015, 5:07pm

Orioles

Brach on O'Day: "Darren's leadership is second to none"

There's a pretty good chance today that the Orioles will announce their four-year deal with reliever Darren O'Day. Do it quick before he checks Twitter. O'Day agreed to terms last Monday. He took and passed his physical. I believe there was an insurance issue that needed to be worked out. This is one of the more complicated deals with its deferred money and partial no-trade clauses, but the sides finally may have reached the finish line. "Darren's been huge for my career personally, just...

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Reheating a few FanFest leftovers

December 12, 2015, 7:35pm

Orioles

The Winter Meetings are over. FanFest is over. I'm just sitting here crossing items off my list. The biggest news to come out of the Convention Center involved first baseman Chris Davis. He didn't emerge from behind a curtain, arms raised in the air, dollar bills stuffed in his pockets. Executive vice president Dan Duquette stated quite clearly that the Orioles' offer no longer was on the table. I'll stress again that the door isn't closed, but the club's frustration is showing and any...

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Matt Wieters on accepting the qualifying offer and more

December 12, 2015, 1:01pm

Orioles

Matt Wieters on accepting the qualifying offer and more

Todays' FanFest at the Convention Center attracted a crowd that eclipsed 11,500, according to a team official. I'll be dispensing quotes over the next few days, but here's a portion of Matt Wieters' interview, which leaned hard on his decision to take the $15.8 million qualifying offer. "If you asked me going into the offseason, I always hoped to be back and didn't know what the decision was going to be, and very grateful that I was able to make a decision seven days after the season and...

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Hearing from Buck Showalter at FanFest

December 12, 2015, 11:23am

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter isn't keeping close tabs on Chris Davis or his negotiations. He can't escape the questions, but he won't be consumed by them. "I don't dwell on it. I don't spend much time on it. I really don't," he said at today's FanFest. "We have been and will be competitive to a point. They've got to make a decision, how much is enough, and the game will move on without me, you, him and the Orioles. We'd like to have him, but we'll be fine either way. I know there...

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Adam Jones on roster moves and Chris Davis offer: "It shows that the team cares"

December 12, 2015, 9:16am

Orioles

Adam Jones on roster moves and Chris Davis offer: "It shows that the team cares"

Orioles center fielder Adam Jones made it clear to ownership and executive vice president Dan Duquette that the club needed to be more aggressive in keeping its core together. He sees the players retained and the offer made to Chris Davis, and he's confident that the message has been received. "By what they're doing right now, offering seven years and north of $150 (million), I think they've grabbed a hold of what I wanted to get through to them," Jones said today at FanFest. "That's all...

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Duquette says there's "no offer on the table right now" for Davis

December 12, 2015, 7:32am

Orioles

Duquette says there's "no offer on the table right now" for Davis

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed today at FanFest that the club has pulled its offer to first baseman Chris Davis. Meeting with reporters on the third level of the Convention Center, Duquette indicated that an agreement remains a possibility and that negotiations could resume again later. However, he also spoke of the depth at first base within the organization and how the Orioles are more focused on finding a left-handed bat for the outfield. The Orioles had a...

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A few early notes from FanFest

December 12, 2015, 6:26am

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter received a standing ovation from season-ticket holders this morning before his Q&A with executive vice president Dan Duquette. Here are a few nuggets from the session: * Reliever Darren O'Day isn't here, but the club is close to announcing his four-year deal. It should happen on Monday. Manny Machado also isn't here, which Showalter noted after a fan asked about the club's attempts to sign the third baseman to an extension. "Well, if he was here, we could...

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Finding storylines for today's FanFest

December 11, 2015, 5:02pm

Orioles

Show of hands if you're attending FanFest today at the Convention Center. Closer Zach Britton is unable to make it due to a snowstorm in Nevada that closed a major highway and prevented him from getting a flight out of there. The Orioles instead will have Britton do some "interactive" stuff and the Orioles were working late last night on the necessary adjustments to the autograph station. Ubaldo Jimenez received permission to skip it because he's getting married. Mark Trumbo and L.J. Hoes...

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Quick update on Darren O'Day

December 11, 2015, 11:43am

Orioles

If you're waiting for the Orioles to confirm the Darren O'Day signing today, you probably should enjoy the nice weather and formulate your dinner plans. I'm hearing that the club isn't expected to make an announcement today, so it's more likely to happen at Saturday's FanFest at the Convention Center. Plan accordingly. O'Day passed his physical and signed his four-year, $31 million contract, which includes $4 million in deferred money. The sides reached agreement on Monday. If you're...

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Orioles back home and still trying to do business

December 10, 2015, 6:47pm

Orioles

The Winter Meetings are being held in suburban Washington D.C., next year. If I'm still on the beat and haven't gone completely insane, it will be nice to hop in my car after the Rule 5 draft and walk through my front door in about an hour. I might volunteer to drop off the new player at Camden Yards, though it's out of my way. The Orioles left Nashville yesterday with only a Rule 5 pick, as if visited by the ghost of Winter Meetings past. They later claimed left-hander Edgar Olmos off...

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Orioles claim left-hander Edgar Olmos off waivers

December 10, 2015, 12:13pm

Orioles

NASHVILLE - The Orioles made a move today as their front office returned to Baltimore, claiming left-hander Edgar Olmos off waivers from the Cubs and designating outfielder Junior Lake for assignment to create room on the 40-man roster. Olmos, 25, went 1-1 with a 3.55 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 20 games (two starts) with Triple-A Tacoma. He also pitched in six games (two starts) with the Mariners, going 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA. In 199 career minor league games (73 starts), Olmos has gone 16-38 with a...

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Dan Duquette: "Sometimes you need patience and sometimes you've got to move"

December 10, 2015, 6:43am

Orioles

Dan Duquette: "Sometimes you need patience and sometimes you've got to move"

NASHVILLE - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette will board his flight home today with a Rule 5 pick and optimism that more players will be added in the coming days. Duquette isn't done after choosing outfielder Joey Rickard from the Rays in the Rule 5. "I always like to try to get the core of the team before Christmas, but it doesn't always work that way," he said. "It doesn't always work that way to get the club set up for the holidays. A couple years ago, remember we got to...

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Orioles select Joey Rickard in Rule 5 draft (updated)

December 10, 2015, 5:23am

Orioles

NASHVILLE - The Orioles chose outfielder Joey Rickard from the Tampa Bay Rays organization in today's Rule 5 draft at the Winter Meetings. Rickard, 24, batted a combined .321/.427/.447 with 28 doubles, eight triples, two home runs, 55 RBIs and 23 stolen bases at three levels of the Rays system, including Triple-A Durham. He hit .360/.437/.472 with six doubles, two triples and 11 RBIs in 29 games with the Bulls. Rickard plays all three outfield positions. It's clear that he's got speed and...

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Day 4 of the Winter Meetings

December 09, 2015, 7:49pm

Orioles

NASHVILLE - Welcome to the final day of the 2015 Winter Meetings. We've reached the Rule 5 draft, followed by the stampede of executives and reporters to the airport. Try not to get in the way. I'm staying later because of my dedication. Or because I whiffed on the 1:30 p.m. flight and don't want to pay the cost of changing my reservation. What's a few extra hours at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center? Maybe I'll get in a little Christmas shopping. The Orioles will be...

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Orioles holding firm on offer to Chris Davis

December 09, 2015, 4:00pm

Orioles

NASHVILLE - The Orioles held another round of negotiations with agent Scott Boras today, but the conversation took place via a phone call and involved managing partner Peter Angelos. According to two industry sources, Angelos and Boras spoke again while trying to strike a deal with first baseman Chris Davis. They met in person before the Winter Meetings and were in contact again today while Angelos remained in Baltimore. The Orioles' offer hasn't changed, according to the sources. They're...

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A few notes and quotes from Dan Duquette

December 09, 2015, 2:19pm

Orioles

A few notes and quotes from Dan Duquette

NASHVILLE - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette didn't meet today with agent Scott Boras and no more progress has been made in trying to reach agreement with first baseman Chris Davis. Duquette said he believes the club's relationship with Boras "is fine" and he's not conceding that a deal won't get done before team executives head home on Thursday afternoon. "I don't know," Duquette said. "I would never say never, but there's a lot of things that go into these multi-year...