Former Oriole Delmon Young arrested (and other notes)

Former Oriole Delmon Young arrested (and other notes)
Former Orioles outfielder Delmon Young was arrested in Miami last night and charged with battery after he allegedly choked and threatened to kill a valet attendant and used ethnic slurs, according to Andy Slater of 940 AM radio. Young allegedly grabbed the attendant by the neck at the Viceroy hotel in Miami after being denied access to a club. Police made the arrest at Young's residence. According to a report, Young answered the door naked from the waist down and was unsteady on his feet....

Wondering about Vance Worley and Jimmy Paredes

Wondering about Vance Worley and Jimmy Paredes
While the Orioles continue their roster construction, I'm curious how the current and future moves will impact pitcher Vance Worley and infielder Jimmy Paredes. The Orioles claimed Worley off waivers from the Pirates and gave him $2.6 million in his final year of arbitration eligibility. He's been viewed as a candidate for the rotation and bullpen. Worley is out of options and remains in limbo as the executive vice president Dan Duquette continues his efforts to add more pitching. I'm still...

Yovani Gallardo again under consideration for the Orioles

Yovani Gallardo again under consideration for the Orioles
Just when it appeared that the Orioles had no interest in surrendering their first pick in the draft, they definitely are reconsidering as right-hander Yovani Gallardo remains on the free agent market. The latest shift in thinking apparently has occurred within the past week. They're checking medicals again and weighing the pros and cons. They haven't walked away from Gallardo. They just can't seem to quit him. The pros include the need to bring in an established starter for a rotation that...

Orioles, Zach Britton avoid arbitration with one-year deal

Orioles, Zach Britton avoid arbitration with one-year deal
And then there were none. The Orioles avoided an arbitration hearing with closer Zach Britton, their lone unsigned player, by agreeing to a one-year, $6.75 million deal, a source has confirmed. The left-hander's arbitration hearing had been scheduled for Feb. 17, after the sides couldn't come to an agreement. The Orioles had offered Britton $5.6 million, while Britton had countered at $7.9 million. The deal represents the midpoint between the two figures. The 28-year-old Britton went 4-1 with...

Mark Trumbo on Chris Davis' return: "Oh, it was huge"

Mark Trumbo on Chris Davis' return: "Oh, it was huge"
When we last heard from Mark Trumbo, he had just been acquired in a trade with the Mariners in a deal that become official on Dec. 2. He was surprised by it, since he hadn't heard the Orioles mentioned as a possibility, and revealed his long-standing admiration for the organization. Meanwhile, executive vice president Dan Duquette vowed to continue his search for at least one more impact bat. "This isn't the last move the club is going to make to put our team together for 2016," Duquette...

About yesterday and last night ...

About yesterday and last night ...
I can't promise that the Orioles will make news again today, but executive vice president Dan Duquette continues to work the phones in an attempt to finalize the roster by the start of spring training. If it takes a little longer, so be it. They completed a trade with the Padres for right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne. You can spell "San Diego Padres" using the letters in his name and still have a few left over. Anyone got a Scrabble board? They designated left-hander C.J. Riefenhauser for...

Brian Matusz agrees to terms on 2016 contract

Brian Matusz agrees to terms on 2016 contract
The Orioles avoided an arbitration hearing with left-hander Brian Matusz, who agreed to terms today on a $3.9 million contract, according to an industry source. Matusz sought $4.4 million when the sides exchanged figures, and the Orioles countered at $3.5 million, so they almost met directly in the middle. MLBTradeRumors.com projected that Matusz's salary would rise modestly from $3.2 million in 2015 to $3.4 million. Matusz, the fourth overall pick in the 2008 draft out of the University of...

L.J. Hoes outrighted to Norfolk (plus other notes)

L.J. Hoes outrighted to Norfolk (plus other notes)
Outfielder L.J. Hoes has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, the latest roster move made today by the Orioles. Hoes was designated for assignment on Jan. 26 to create room for outfielder/first baseman Efren Navarro. The Orioles acquired Hoes from the Astros on Nov. 25 for cash considerations, bringing back a player they drafted in the third round in 2008. He batted .295/.383/.400 in 99 games with Triple-A Fresno and .267/.313/.267 in eight games with the Astros last...

Orioles acquire Odrisamer Despaigne from Padres (updated)

Orioles acquire Odrisamer Despaigne from Padres (updated)
The Orioles have acquired right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne from the Padres for minor league pitcher Jean Cosme, according to industry sources. Despaigne, 28, went 9-16 with a 4.74 ERA in parts of two major league seasons. He went 5-9 with a 5.80 ERA in 34 appearances, including 18 starts, in 2015. Despaigne is a native of Cuba. He signed as an amateur free agent in 2014. The Orioles selected Cosme in the 17th round of the 2014 draft. A native of Puerto Rico, the right-hander was 3-5 with a 4.74...

Trying to find the right answer for right field

Trying to find the right answer for right field
As the Orioles attempt to figure out what they're going to do in right field, they seem more likely to go the platoon route to round out their lineup. This isn't exactly breaking news. It's been a strong possibility for a while now, especially after Chris Davis accepted their seven-year, $161 million offer. Justin Upton and Yoenis Cespedes came off the board. I'm still fielding questions about the possibility of bringing back Nick Markakis, but are the Braves willing to move him? And the...

Digging into the rotation depth

Digging into the rotation depth
While the Orioles are figuring out who's going to replace Wei-Yin Chen in the rotation, they're also measuring the starting depth in the organization. It's hard to project the rotation at Triple-A Norfolk without knowing the entire composition of the Orioles bullpen and whether they'll go in-house with Chen's replacement. T.J. McFarland could start at Norfolk if he doesn't break camp with the Orioles, who appear to have one spot open in the bullpen with Zach Britton, Darren O'Day, Brad...

Orioles sign Chris Dwyer to minor league deal (updated)

Orioles sign Chris Dwyer to minor league deal (updated)
On what's amounting to another slow news day as we venture deeper into the afternoon, I'll pass along that the Orioles signed left-hander Chris Dwyer to a minor league deal, according to Baseball America's transactions page. The Royals chose Dwyer, 27, in the fourth round of the 2009 draft out of Clemson University. His only major league appearances came in 2013, when he pitched in two games in relief and allowed two hits in three scoreless innings. He walked one and struck out two. Dwyer...

More from Chris Davis

More from Chris Davis
While you've been distracted by daily reminders that the Orioles need another starting pitcher, outfielder L.J. Hoes is waiting to find out whether he needs to report to another organization. It appears that the Orioles want to get Hoes through waivers and hold onto him. He should know soon if it's going to happen. We're also waiting for the Orioles to announce their spring training roster, complete with all the invites. It can't be much longer, considering that pitchers and catchers report...

Rotation drags down offseason score

Rotation drags down offseason score
We've entered the month of February and the Orioles aren't receiving rave reviews for their offseason. Various outlets have given them failing grades. They're picked to finish in last place in the American League East. They aren't the winter darlings within the industry. Any projections at this early date must be taken with a grain of salt. I'd line the rim of the glass with them. The Orioles signed pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez and outfielder Nelson Cruz after reporting to camp in 2014. Their...

Orioles minor leaguer Ramon Ramirez killed in motorcycle accident (with statement)

Orioles minor leaguer Ramon Ramirez killed in motorcycle accident (with statement)
Orioles minor league infielder Ramon Ramirez was killed yesterday in the Dominican Republic when his motorcycle was struck by a vehicle. He was 23. The club is still gathering information on the accident, which occurred as Ramirez was leaving a softball game. His friends were arranging a farewell party before his return to the United States. Ramirez's girlfriend was riding on the back of the motorcycle and survived the crash. She sustained a broken leg, according to a team official. "We're...

Does Efren Navarro's arrival potentially impact Chris Davis?

Does Efren Navarro's arrival potentially impact Chris Davis?
The acquisition of outfielder/first baseman Efren Navarro from the Angels has raised a few questions in relation to the Orioles' motives for making the deal. Why a player who's regarded as a plus defender at first base? Should we read anything into it? I've heard a few theories tossed around that can be debated here this morning. Maybe the Orioles targeted Navarro while searching for another left-handed hitting outfielder. He has an option, which could put him on the shuttle between Triple-A...

Manny Machado's ranking at third base and some Chris Davis leftovers

Manny Machado's ranking at third base and some Chris Davis leftovers
If you like random rankings, here's one to start your morning. MLB Network rated Manny Machado as the fourth-best third baseman in baseball, slotting him between the Rangers' Adrian Beltre and the Dodgers' Justin Turner. The press release stated that a number of offensive and defensive metrics were considered while compiling the list, along with projections for the upcoming season. Here's the Top 10: 1. Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays 2. Kris Bryant, Cubs 3. Adrian Beltre, Rangers 4. Manny...

Former Orioles pitcher Steve Johnson signs with Rangers

Former Orioles pitcher Steve Johnson signs with Rangers
Former Orioles pitcher Steve Johnson, the local product who made his major league debut four years ago at Camden Yards, has signed a minor league deal with the Rangers that includes an invitation to spring training. The Orioles designated Johnson for assignment on Dec. 2 while making a flurry of roster moves at the deadline to tender contracts to their arbitration-eligible players. They needed to create a spot for left-hander C.J. Riefenhauser on the 40-man roster. Johnson, 28, allowed six...

Mike Wright on Hyun Soo Kim and competing for a rotation spot

Mike Wright on Hyun Soo Kim and competing for a rotation spot
Former Orioles outfielder, first baseman and all-around good guy Steve Pearce sent out a couple of tweets last night after signing his one-year, $4.75 million contract with the Rays. While expressing excitement over his latest opportunity, he took the time to acknowledge his recent past. "While I am looking forward to the new challenge, I will forever remember my years in Baltimore with such great teammates, ownership, front office personal, members of the media, and especially, the tremendous...

Notes on Joey Terdoslavich and Rays-Rockies trade (with spring uniform note)

Notes on Joey Terdoslavich and Rays-Rockies trade (with spring uniform note)
Infielder Joey Terdoslavich cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, according to a tweet from the Orioles. The Orioles designated Terdoslavich for assignment last week to make room for first baseman Chris Davis on the 40-man roster. Terdoslavich, a switch-hitter who also plays the outfield, was selected off waivers from the Braves on Jan. 8. He didn't last long on the 40-man, but he remains in the organization. The Orioles designated outfielder L.J. Hoes for assignment...