Roch Kubatko

More on Orioles' interest in Denard Span

December 30, 2015, 10:10am

Orioles

With the Orioles in the market for another left-handed bat and searching for one more outfielder, it's natural to link them to Denard Span as we approach 2016. Span also would fill their need for a leadoff hitter, allowing them to lower Manny Machado in the order. They place a great deal of emphasis on defense, and Span isn't suited for New Year's Eve celebrations because he rarely lets a ball drop. I confirmed in November that the Orioles held interest in Span and his name came up at the...

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Notes on Cespedes, Kim, Davis and ballparks

December 29, 2015, 4:53pm

Orioles

Notes on Cespedes, Kim, Davis and ballparks

If the Orioles really are a finalist for free agent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, his price tag must be plummeting. I checked around yesterday and didn't get the sense that the Orioles are remotely close to a deal. I'm told by one source that a contract proposal hasn't even been presented to ownership. They most certainly aren't going to pay Cespedes $140 million, which MLBTradeRumors.com predicted for him at the start of free agency. That idea was shot down with gusto when I ran it past one...

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Orioles executive Ned Rice accepts job with Phillies (updated)

December 29, 2015, 3:13pm

Orioles

The Orioles learned today that they're losing a key member of their front office. Ned Rice, the club's director of major league administration, has accepted a position in the Phillies' front office, according to multiple sources. He will be reunited with Andy MacPhail, president of baseball operations, and Matt Klentak, named general manager in late October. The Phillies also employ former Orioles executives Scott Proefrock and Joe Jordan. I've heard that Rice is taking a position as an...

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Paul Janish is returning to Orioles on minor league deal

December 29, 2015, 8:56am

Orioles

The Orioles have reached agreement with infielder Paul Janish on a minor league contract that includes an invitation to spring training, bringing back the defensive specialist who made a favorable impression this summer. Janish was non-tendered on Dec. 3, but the Orioles wanted to keep him in the organization. I've heard from multiple people that a deal is in place. There may be some paperwork remaining, but Janish will arrive in camp in February. The Astros also were a finalist for Janish,...

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Givens not assuming he's in bullpen in 2016

December 28, 2015, 1:32pm

Orioles

Givens not assuming he's in bullpen in 2016

Dominant bullpens are all the rage. Load up the back end and hope your starters can work into the sixth inning. The Yankees are taking that path with yesterday's trade for Reds closer Aroldis Chapman, who joins left-hander Andrew Miller and right-hander Dellin Betances. They could deal Miller, but general manager Brian Cashman told reporters yesterday that the plan calls for a three-headed relief monster, with the closer to be determined at a later date. The Orioles' decision to offer Darren...

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Remembering a friend, colleague and mentor

December 27, 2015, 7:48am

Orioles

Remembering a friend, colleague and mentor

My introduction to Joe Strauss came in 1997 on the workout day before the Orioles' opener at Camden Yards. We joined the beat at The Baltimore Sun around the same time - Strauss coming from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, me moving up from the small colleges. Joe extended his hand and praised my work from my first spring training, saying he never would have known that I hadn't been "a ball writer." It wasn't until much later that I'd understand and appreciate the magnitude of that...

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Christian Walker staying in shape and sizing up his chances with Orioles

December 25, 2015, 8:11am

Orioles

While the rest of us are gorging on holiday treats and digging out our stretchy pants from the bottom of the closet, first baseman Christian Walker is probably counting his calories along with his blessings. Walker, 24, showed up at FanFest declaring himself to be in the best shape of his life, a statement normally reserved for the first few days of spring training. He's never appeared soft, but now he's never felt better. "Just really cleaning up what I've been eating," Walker said. "I...

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Leftovers for breakfast

December 24, 2015, 6:26pm

Orioles

As we move closer to 2016, the Orioles still aren't sure who's batting leadoff for them on opening day, a game that marks the major league debuts of Korean outfielder Hyun Soo Kim and first baseman Byung Ho Park. How convenient that the Twins visit Camden Yards for the first series. Manny Machado hit atop the order in 111 games this year, but the Orioles would like to move him down and take better advantage of his run-producing skills. Kim, signed to a two-year, $7 million deal on Wednesday,...

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The "Vanimal" wants to attack hitters in Orioles' rotation

December 24, 2015, 11:08am

Orioles

Vance Worley said he's just looking for a fresh start. I guess he's keeping the hairstyle, black-rimmed glasses and funny nickname. Worley is a bit of a character. We don't know yet whether he's going to be part of the rotation or bullpen. His status could be determined by other moves made before pitchers and catchers report to spring training. The Orioles claimed Worley off waivers from the Pirates knowing that he'd started and pitched out of the bullpen, offering them choices if he...

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Who's the next left-handed hitter coming to the Orioles?

December 24, 2015, 10:15am

Orioles

Merry Christmas to everyone who observes the holiday. I hope your stockings are stuffed, your chestnuts are roasted, your lights are blinking only if you want them to and your credit card bill is lost in the mail. The Orioles shopped early and picked up Korean outfielder Hyun Soo Kim. No assembly required, though I started to wonder as the days passed without any word on his physical. I'm wondering how much we can read into the Orioles' desire to sign another left-handed hitter. When I asked...

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'Tis the season for non-update updates

December 24, 2015, 7:51am

Orioles

Santa Claus arrived early today, which leaves me perplexed. I don't have a chimney and I haven't left the house all day. How did this happen? Note to the bearded one: Don't scarf all the Double Stuf Oreos, especially after going into the pantry to get them. If they're not on a plate in the living room next to a glass of milk, they're not for you. One box was marked "non-update updates," which hadn't been on my list. I opened it anyway and found the following: * The warehouse is closed...

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Miguel Gonzalez says he's healthy and ready to put the 2015 season behind him

December 23, 2015, 6:14pm

Orioles

Miguel Gonzalez says he's healthy and ready to put the 2015 season behind him

Isn't it nice to wake up and not wonder if the Orioles will announce the Hyun Soo Kim signing or whether he failed the physical or whether his name is spelled correctly? We're told to lose the hyphen and capitalize the "S" in Soo. Who am I to argue? Kim never was in real danger of failing his physical, though I understand why some of you experienced Grant Balfour flashbacks. I don't flinch at them because it's a reminder that I broke that story. Not a lot of fun, but still a...

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Orioles lose pitcher Tim Berry on waiver claim

December 23, 2015, 12:36pm

Orioles

The Orioles reduced their 40-man roster to 39 players by exposing left-hander Tim Berry to waivers and losing him on a claim by the Marlins. In the blink of an eye, the Orioles learned today that they surrendered Berry to the Marlins, infielder Rey Navarro to the Angels and left-hander Edgar Olmos to the Cubs. I erroneously tweeted this afternoon that the Marlins claimed Olmos before I quickly made the correction. I knew Miami took one of the Orioles' left-handers. I just had the wrong...

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Hyun Soo Kim and Dan Duquette talk about today's signing

December 23, 2015, 10:18am

Orioles

Hyun Soo Kim and Dan Duquette talk about today's signing

The Orioles created space for outfielder Hyun Soo Kim on their 40-man roster by designating pitcher Edgar Olmos for assignment, and the Cubs claimed the left-hander off waivers. The Orioles claimed Olmos from the Cubs on Dec. 10, another example of baseball's circle of life. Kim will wear No. 25 for the Orioles, in case you want to pick up a jersey. He pronounces his first name "Heeyuhn," so hold the hon puns. "He's excelled in international competition," said executive vice president Dan...

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Orioles still in arms race as holidays approach

December 22, 2015, 5:31pm

Orioles

In order to simplify things during the hot stove season, please allow me to introduce myself as the guy who constantly reminds everyone that the Orioles have reached out to or checked in on pretty much every second- and third-tier pitcher on the market. Anyone in need of a bounceback season due to injury or throwing like crap. You can just insert a different name into the tweets on your timelines. The Orioles want multiple arms - and not just on one body. They want a starter for the top half of...

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Struggling to fill gaps in the lineup and pitching staff

December 21, 2015, 2:18pm

Orioles

Struggling to fill gaps in the lineup and pitching staff

It was a slow news day yesterday when the final blog entry pertained to outfielder Xavier Avery. I'm fine with the signing because it brings an element of speed into the organization and it's a minor league deal. The Orioles need to fill out the roster at Triple-A Norfolk and there's nothing wrong with taking a look at him in spring training. It just isn't an impact signing and it has nothing to do with Hyun-soo Kim's physical. I guess we're easing into the holidays. If the Chris Davis...

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Orioles sign Xavier Avery to minor league deal

December 21, 2015, 6:45am

Orioles

The Orioles continue seeking ways to improve their organizational depth while also planning a reunion of sorts. A club official confirmed today that the Orioles signed outfielder Xavier Avery to a minor league contract. It's assumed that the deal includes an invitation to spring training. Avery was a second-round pick by the Orioles in the 2008 draft, one spot before they selected L.J. Hoes. Both players have returned to the organization, with Hoes coming last month in a trade with the...

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Leftovers for breakfast (updated)

December 20, 2015, 10:55am

Orioles

Is today the day that the Orioles announce the Hyun-soo Kim signing? I'm no longer making predictions on news releases and conference calls, but I'm expecting the two-year deal to become official today. I've been rearranging my schedule since Friday in anticipation. Who needs Christmas presents anyway? And those holiday parties are vastly overrated. Kim was supposed to fly back to Korea early this week. Let's get this done. * The Orioles have expressed interest in Bronson Arroyo, according...

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Wallace on Tillman, Gonzalez, Gausman and more

December 19, 2015, 12:20pm

Orioles

Wallace on Tillman, Gonzalez, Gausman and more

No matter what the Orioles do with their rotation, whether it's tapping into the trade or free agent markets, they're highly dependent on bounceback seasons from Chris Tillman and Miguel Gonzalez and a major leap forward by Kevin Gausman. While meeting with reporters last weekend at FanFest, pitching coach Dave Wallace tried to explain the drop off in effectiveness from Tillman and Gonzalez. He tried to shed some light on why Tillman's ERA rose from 3.34 to 4.99 and his WHIP jumped from...

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More on Orioles' interest in Gallardo and Kazmir

December 18, 2015, 5:48pm

Orioles

While wondering if the Nationals will try to block Jonathan Papelbon from their spring training facility ... Michael Cuddyer is following me on Twitter. Is that just random or should I read anything into it? Hyun-soo Kim's two-year deal with the Orioles may become official later today, though it could take until Monday morning. The press conference that follows will offer the media a chance to learn more about the Korean outfielder and gauge whether his interpreter will be useful in the...