Roch Kubatko

Doug Fister is off the board

January 28, 2016, 7:30am

Orioles

So much for the Orioles signing Doug Fister to fill out their rotation. The Astros have agreed to terms with Fister on a one-year deal. The club confirmed it in a tweet this morning. SB Nation's Chris Cotillo reports that Fister will receive a guaranteed $7 million, and performance bonuses can push the total value to $12 million. The Orioles were interested in Fister, but they also had concerns about his health. He reportedly sought a two-year deal for around $22 million and the Orioles...

Tags:

Cleaning out my notebook

January 27, 2016, 12:26pm

Orioles

We've discussed the importance of the rotation bouncing back after a disappointing 2015 season, but the lineup also includes players who need to stay healthy and step up their games. Manager Buck Showalter recently provided a reminder when asked about second baseman Jonathan Schoop perhaps taking the next step in his progression. "We had Jonathan, what, for maybe half the year last year?" Showalter asked. "We had Matt Wieters about half the year. He just started getting into his own about...

Tags:

orioles alan mills buck showalter chris o'brien dave wallace dylan bundy efren navarro featured_sidebar jason garcia jonathan schoop mychal givens frontstory_orioles2

More on L.J. Hoes and Kevin Gausman's third pitch

January 26, 2016, 6:56pm

Orioles

More on L.J. Hoes and Kevin Gausman's third pitch

The Orioles' decision yesterday to designate outfielder L.J. Hoes for assignment came as a surprise, considering how the former third-round pick was expected to compete for a bench role, if not the starting job in right field. Hoes could end up clearing waivers and being outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. He'd like to remain in the organization. I asked executive vice president Dan Duquette about the move, which was made to create a spot for outfielder/first baseman Efren Navarro on the 40-man...

Tags:

orioles efren navarro featured_sidebar kevin gausman lj hoes frontstory_orioles2

Orioles acquire Efren Navarro from Angels (with Duquette quote)

January 26, 2016, 11:53am

Orioles

The Orioles acquired a left-handed hitting outfielder today in a trade with the Angels, obtaining Efren Navarro for cash considerations. Outfielder L.J. Hoes was designated for assignment to create a spot on the 40-man roster. Navarro, 29, hit .329/.380/.442 with 24 doubles, one triple, two home runs and 29 RBIs in 72 games with Triple-A Salt Lake in 2015. He batted .253/.295/.301 with four doubles and five RBIs in 54 games with the Angels. Over nine minor league seasons, Navarro has hit...

Tags:

orioles efren navarro featured_sidebar lj hoes frontstory_orioles2

Peter Angelos on Chris Davis: "He's an exceptional guy" (plus other notes)

January 26, 2016, 9:36am

Orioles

Peter Angelos on Chris Davis: "He's an exceptional guy" (plus other notes)

As the Orioles continue their search for another starting pitcher and outfielder, they're much more comfortable with a lineup that includes first baseman Chris Davis. It wasn't easy, but they got the deal done, reaching agreement on a seven-year contract that totals $161 million - including $42 million deferred and payments that stretch until Davis is in his 50s. It became official on Thursday. Managing partner Peter Angelos and agent Scott Boras worked late into the night of Jan. 15 to...

Tags:

orioles brian matusz chris davis featured_sidebar hyun soo kim joe mcilvaine peter angelos zach britton frontstory_orioles1

Still searching for a starter

January 25, 2016, 11:54am

Orioles

There are 23 more days before Orioles pitchers and catchers officially report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, though the number of early arrivals seems to grow every year. Twenty-three more days and we still don't know who's replacing Wei-Yin Chen in the rotation. If the season started today, the Orioles would make a fortune on coffee and hot chocolate sales. Also, I'd have to project Vance Worley as the fifth starter based only on my God-given right to guess along with...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter dan duquette featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

David Lough signs with Phillies (and other notes)

January 25, 2016, 10:10am

Orioles

David Lough signs with Phillies (and other notes)

Former Orioles outfielder David Lough has signed a minor league deal with the Phillies that includes an invitation to spring training. The club made the announcement this afternoon. The Phillies front office is loaded with former Orioles executives, including newly hired senior director of baseball operations Ned Rice. The Orioles non-tendered Lough on Dec. 2 rather than offer him a contract for the 2016 season. He immediately became a free agent. Lough, who turned 30 this month, made $525,500...

Tags:

orioles david lough featured_sidebar hyun soo kim tim sexton frontstory_orioles2

Dylan Bundy on his first bullpen session (with Chen note)

January 24, 2016, 5:09pm

Orioles

Dylan Bundy on his first bullpen session (with Chen note)

Did everyone dig out of the blizzard and find their cars and children? I wrote on Thursday that Dylan Bundy threw his first bullpen session last week. Full mound, 20 fastballs and no pain in his right shoulder or forearm. Bundy had been throwing off flat ground from 150 feet before moving to a half-mound at the minicamp and firing 15 fastballs. "Arm's healthy," Bundy said during his phone interview on the "Hot Stove Show" on 105.7 The Fan. "I just got on a mound this week for the first...

Tags:

orioles dylan bundy featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

This, that and the other

January 23, 2016, 10:44am

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter remained in Baltimore Friday morning after attending Chris Davis' press conference. He already was subjected to tornadoes in Dallas. Why not add a blizzard? When do the locusts arrive? Agent Scott Boras stayed in Baltimore following the presser. He was spotted downtown. No idea whether he flew out in the morning. I'm trying to be a fountain of information, but it keeps freezing. * Executive vice president Dan Duquette repeated on MLB Network's "High Heat"...

Tags:

orioles dan duquette darren o'day featured_sidebar kevin gausman zach britton frontstory_orioles2

Because You Asked - Seventh Inning Fetch

January 22, 2016, 8:18am

Orioles

Because You Asked - Seventh Inning Fetch

It's sequel time here at School of Roch, as I deliver the latest installment of "Because You Asked." The question keep pouring in and I do my best to answer them as many times as humanly possible. I'm giving you one-stop shopping this morning, but we're out of milk and bread. Do the Orioles still have their offer on the table to Yoenis Cespedes? This one became outdated late last night after Cespedes agreed to a three-year, $75 million deal with the Mets that included an opt-out after one...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter chris davis christian walker dan duquette doug fister hyun soo kim joey terdoslavich manny machado mark trumbo nolan reimold trey mancini yoenis cespedes featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Are the Orioles moving away from Gallardo?

January 22, 2016, 7:39am

Orioles

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...

Tags:

orioles dan duquette doug fister featured_sidebar yovani gallardo frontstory_orioles2

Leftovers from the press conference

January 21, 2016, 7:22pm

Orioles

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...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter chris davis dan duquette featured_sidebar scott boras frontstory_orioles2

Hearing from Chris Davis and Scott Boras

January 21, 2016, 4:08pm

Orioles

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...

Tags:

orioles chris davis featured_sidebar scott boras frontstory_orioles2

Former Oriole Steve Pearce agrees to terms with Rays

January 21, 2016, 8:58am

Orioles

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...

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar steve pearce frontstory_orioles2

Chris Davis signing is official

January 21, 2016, 7:05am

Orioles

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...

Tags:

orioles chris davis jj hardy featured_sidebar frontfeatured_orioles

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

January 20, 2016, 1:39pm

Orioles

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...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter chris davis featured_sidebar hyun soo kim jj hardy jonathan schoop manny machado

Leftovers for breakfast

January 19, 2016, 5:48pm

Orioles

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...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter chris davis dan duquette featured_sidebar mark trumbo frontstory_orioles2

More on Chris Davis' pending physical

January 19, 2016, 1:07pm

Orioles

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...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter chris davis dan duquette featured_sidebar mark trumbo frontstory_orioles1

Orioles minor league pitcher Zack Dodson suspended

January 19, 2016, 10:24am

Orioles

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...

Tags:

orioles zack dodson frontstory_orioles3

Times announced for Orioles regular season games

January 19, 2016, 8:54am

Orioles

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...