Roch Kubatko

Machado places fourth in Comeback Player of the Year voting

October 26, 2015, 9:50am

Orioles

Machado places fourth in Comeback Player of the Year voting

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado, who returned from another knee surgery to play in all 162 games this season, finished fourth in voting for the Sporting News' American League Comeback Player of the Year award. The Rangers' Prince Fielder was first with 112 votes, followed by the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez with 14 and the Indians' Jason Kipnis with 12. Machado received six votes. The Royals' Kendrys Morales and Ryan Madson, and the Twins' Mike Pelfrey tied for fifth with two...

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Christian Walker on his second-half improvement

October 25, 2015, 8:11pm

Orioles

Christian Walker on his second-half improvement

If the Orioles aren't willing to enter a bidding war for first baseman Chris Davis, they'll need to figure out whether his replacement is inside the organization, or if they need to come up with a cheaper alternative from another team or the free agent market. Where does Christian Walker fit into this puzzle? My guess is Walker begins the 2016 season at Triple-A Norfolk, but he's going to fight for a roster spot in spring training. There's been lots of attention directed toward Double-A...

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More on the coaching staff and Trey Mancini

October 24, 2015, 5:59pm

Orioles

More on the coaching staff and Trey Mancini

While the Orioles have all seven coaches under contract for the 2016 season, they're still in the early stages of deciding on a new assistant hitting coach. Names are being collected from inside and outside the organization, but the process is delayed while the Royals and Mets play in the World Series. Potential candidates may want to interview for jobs in other organizations. The Rangers parted ways with hitting coach Dave Magadan, and Orioles minor league hitting coordinator Jeff Manto is...

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This, that and the other

October 23, 2015, 9:14pm

Orioles

While the Nationals continue their search for a new manager, I'll point out that Cal Ripken Jr. still hasn't been contacted about interviewing for the job and he isn't sitting by the phone waiting for a call. The Nats seem to bring in a new candidate every day, but I've heard that Ripken doesn't expect to join them. If his name is linked to the team, it's nothing more than speculation by fans and media, or maybe just wishful thinking. Nothing against a good rumor, but facts do tend to get...

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Is Zobrist a good fit for the Orioles?

October 22, 2015, 6:48pm

Orioles

I was chatting up a couple of Royals fans Wednesday who shared their roster concerns while also averting their eyes from the television that showed their team losing Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. The current roster is fine. More than fine, actually, but it's never too early to fret over free agency. I found it interesting that these guys deemed Ben Zobrist a higher priority than Alex Gordon, the four-time Gold Glove left fielder who's played in the last three All-Star...

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Orioles announce Dylan Bundy's addition to AFL roster

October 22, 2015, 8:18am

Orioles

The Orioles confirmed today that right-hander Dylan Bundy will pitch in the Arizona Fall League. He's going to join Peoria's roster "soon," according to a team official. Bundy is taking pitcher Jon Keller's spot on Peoria's roster. Keller has a sore oblique muscle. Bundy is throwing all of his pitches in bullpen sessions down in Sarasota and has been deemed ready to face hitters. The Orioles also discussed whether he should pitch winter ball. Dr. James Andrews cleared Bundy last month to...

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Orioles 40-man roster raises some interesting questions

October 21, 2015, 8:47pm

Orioles

The Orioles have marked an important item off their check list by reaching agreement with their entire coaching staff on contracts for 2016. Manager Buck Showalter wanted to keep the group intact and it's going to happen, despite interest from other organizations. There were concerns that bullpen coach Dom Chiti might leave to accept a job as pitching coach, but he signed a new deal on Friday. In case you missed it, the Phillies hired former Orioles pitching coach Rick Kranitz as bullpen...

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Orioles coaching staff remains intact for 2016

October 21, 2015, 5:50am

Orioles

The Orioles will bring back their entire coaching staff for the 2016 season. Bench coach John Russell, pitching coach Dave Wallace, bullpen coach Dom Chiti, hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh, third base coach Bobby Dickerson, first base coach Wayne Kirby and assistant hitting coach Einar Diaz have signed contracts. An announcement should come later this week. I reported on Friday that Russell agreed to terms last month on a two-year deal. The contracts of the other coaches expired after the final...

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Update on coaching staff, thoughts on Worley and reflecting on last spring

October 20, 2015, 4:37pm

Orioles

Update on coaching staff, thoughts on Worley and reflecting on last spring

The Orioles have reached an agreement with first base coach Wayne Kirby on a contract for 2016, according to a source. I've received confirmation on five of the coaches. Still no word on pitching coach Dave Wallace. The Orioles were concerned that bullpen coach Dom Chiti might leave if he received a chance to become pitching coach in another organization, but he signed a new contract for 2016. I'm sure it won't quiet all the skeptics, but I'd like to state that Vance Worley has no shot at...

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Orioles claim Vance Worley off waivers

October 20, 2015, 12:16pm

Orioles

The Orioles have claimed right-hander Vance Worley off waivers from the Pirates and designated reliever Jorge Rondon for assignment to create room on the 40-man roster. Worley, 28, went 4-6 with a 4.02 ERA in 23 games, including eight starts, with the Pirates in 2015. He posted a 2.83 ERA, allowing nine earned runs in 28 2/3 innings, and held opponents to a .236 average in his 15 relief appearances. In 104 career games, including 81 starts, Worley has gone 31-28 with a 3.79 ERA in 508 2/3...

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Is there any chance that Chen stays with the Orioles?

October 19, 2015, 4:05pm

Orioles

If you took a poll on the chances of the Orioles re-signing their six pending free agents, left-hander Wei-Yin Chen would set up permanent residence at the bottom of the list. I put him there. Others in the media have put him there. At least a few members of the organization have put him there. The reasons range from the price tag agent Scott Boras will attach to him, to the perception that the Orioles' decision to option Chen to Single-A Frederick for one start caused irreparable damage to...

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Orioles release 2016 spring training schedule

October 19, 2015, 1:13pm

Orioles

The Orioles will play their first spring training game next year where they ended their 2014 Grapefruit League schedule. The Orioles will travel to Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on March 1 to play the Braves in a home-and-home series, with Atlanta making the trip to Sarasota the following day. The schedule includes five road games within the first seven, including split-squad games in Fort Myers against the Twins and at home against the Rays. Six of the last eight games will be held at Ed Smith...

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Getting an early start on Orioles rumors

October 18, 2015, 6:10pm

Orioles

The Royals and Mets are trying to siphon all the drama out of the League Championship Series. Is Jake Arrieta running out of gas or has he just proven to be human? Arrieta threw 229 innings in the regular season and he's added 19 2/3 in the playoffs, including five last night. His previous high was 156 2/3 innings last season. We can't say with any certainty that Arrieta has hit a wall, but opponents finally are hitting him. The Orioles' offseason is less than a month old and they've...

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This, that and the other

October 17, 2015, 4:42pm

Orioles

The Royals trailed the Astros 6-2 in the eighth inning of Game 4 of the American League Division Series. They've outscored their opponents 23-5 since that point. Is that good? The Royals won Games 4 and 5 in the ALDS and have taken a 2-0 lead over the Blue Jays in the Championship Series. They're a snowball-type team, getting on these ridiculous rolls in innings and in their season. The Blue Jays have been known to do the same. They may want to get started in Game 3. David Price has lost...

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Hardy on Janish: "He fits right in"

October 16, 2015, 10:36pm

Orioles

The Orioles are expected to announce their coaching staff by Monday, though the date is flexible. Don't plan your entire day around it. Bench coach John Russell, third base coach Bobby Dickerson, hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh and bullpen coach Dom Chiti have signed their contracts. Those four are confirmed. The odds seem to have improved that the entire staff will return in 2016. We'll find out. Manager Buck Showalter has returned to Dallas after meeting yesterday with managing partner Peter...

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John Russell signed for two seasons (Coolbaugh, Dickerson, Chiti sign)

October 16, 2015, 11:55am

Orioles

John Russell signed for two seasons (Coolbaugh, Dickerson, Chiti sign)

As Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette works to get all of the coaches under contract for 2016, he has one fewer task at hand than what's been reported. It turns out that bench coach John Russell agreed to a two-year deal last month, according to a source, so he's in the fold through the 2017 season. The contracts of all seven coaches, including assistant hitting coach Einar Diaz, were set to expire this season. Duquette confirmed on Wednesday that he extended offers to everyone on...

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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...